\input texinfo   @c -*-texinfo-*-
@c $Id: mh-e.texi,v 1.5 2003/02/10 03:32:24 youngs Exp $
@c %**start of header
@setfilename info/mh-e
@settitle mh-e
@c %**end of header

@setchapternewpage odd

@dircategory Emacs
@direntry
* MH-E: (mh-e).		Emacs interface to the MH mail system.
@end direntry

@c Version variables.
@set EDITION 2.0
@set VERSION 6.0
@set UPDATED 25 December 2001
@set UPDATE-MONTH December 2001

@c Other variables.
@set MH-BOOK-HOME http://www.ics.uci.edu/~mh/book

@ifinfo
This is Edition @value{EDITION}, last updated @value{UPDATED}, of
@cite{MH-E, The Emacs Interface to MH}, for MH-E, Version
@value{VERSION}.

Copyright 1995, 2001, 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.

Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no
Invariant Sections, with the Front-Cover texts being ``A GNU
Manual'', and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.  A copy of the
license is included in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation
License'' in the Emacs manual.

(a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have freedom to copy and modify
this GNU Manual, like GNU software.  Copies published by the Free
Software Foundation raise funds for GNU development.''

This document is part of a collection distributed under the GNU Free
Documentation License.  If you want to distribute this document
separately from the collection, you can do so by adding a copy of the
license to the document, as described in section 6 of the license.
@end ifinfo

@titlepage
@title MH-E - The Emacs Interface to MH
@subtitle Edition @value{EDITION} for MH-E Version @value{VERSION}
@subtitle @value{UPDATE-MONTH}
@author Bill Wohler

@page
@vskip 0pt plus 1filll
Copyright @copyright{} 1995, 2001, 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.

Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no
Invariant Sections, with the Front-Cover texts being ``A GNU
Manual'', and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.  A copy of the
license is included in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation
License'' in the Emacs manual.

(a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have freedom to copy and modify
this GNU Manual, like GNU software.  Copies published by the Free
Software Foundation raise funds for GNU development.''

This document is part of a collection distributed under the GNU Free
Documentation License.  If you want to distribute this document
separately from the collection, you can do so by adding a copy of the
license to the document, as described in section 6 of the license.
@end titlepage

@ifinfo
@node Top, Preface, (dir), (dir)
@top MH and Emacs
This is Edition @value{EDITION} of @cite{MH-E, The Emacs Interface to
MH}, last updated @value{UPDATED} for MH-E Version @value{VERSION}.

@menu
* Preface::                     Introduction to MH-E.
* Tour Through MH-E::           Use MH-E quickly!
* Using MH-E::                  The MH-E manual proper.
* Odds and Ends::               Getting MH-E, reporting bugs, mailing
                                list and FAQ.
* History::                     The authors speak up!
* Copying::                     The GNU General Public License
* Command Index::               
* Variable Index::              
* Concept Index::               

@detailmenu
 --- The Detailed Node Listing ---

Tour Through MH-E

* Conventions::                 GNU Emacs Terms and Conventions
* Getting Started::             
* Sending Mail Tour::           
* Reading Mail Tour::           
* Processing Mail Tour::        
* Leaving MH-E::                
* More About MH-E::             

Using MH-E

* Reading Mail::                
* Sending Mail::                
* Draft Editing::               
* Moving Mail::                 
* Searching::                   
* Sequences::                   
* Miscellaneous::               

Reading Your Mail

* Viewing::                     
* Moving Around::               

Viewing Your Mail

* Reading Digests::             
* Reading MIME::                

Sending Mail

* Replying::                    
* Forwarding::                  
* Redistributing::              
* Old Drafts::                  

Editing a Draft

* Editing Textual::             
* Editing MIME::                
* Sending Message::             
* Killing Draft::               

Editing Textual Messages

* Inserting Letter::            
* Inserting Messages::          
* Header::                      
* Recipients::                  
* Signature::                   

Editing Multimedia Messages

* Forwarding MIME::             
* FTP::                         
* Tar::                         
* Other MIME Objects::          
* Sending MIME::                

Moving Your Mail Around

* Incorporating::               
* Deleting::                    
* Organizing::                  
* Printing::                    
* Files and Pipes::             
* Scan Line Formats::           
* Finishing Up::                

Odds and Ends

* Bug Reports::                 
* Mailing List::                
* MH FAQ::                      
* Getting MH-E::                

History of MH-E

* From Brian Reid::             
* From Jim Larus::              
* From Stephen Gildea::         

@end detailmenu
@end menu

@end ifinfo

@node Preface, Tour Through MH-E, Top, Top
@unnumbered Preface

@cindex Emacs
@cindex Unix commands, Emacs

These chapters introduce another interface to MH that is accessible
through the GNU Emacs editor, namely, @emph{MH-E}. MH-E is easy to
use. I don't assume that you know GNU Emacs or even MH at this point,
since I didn't know either of them when I discovered MH-E. However,
MH-E was the tip of the iceberg, and I discovered more and more
niceties about GNU Emacs and MH@. Now I'm fully hooked on both of
them.

@cindex history

The MH-E package is distributed with GNU Emacs, @footnote{Note that
MH-E is supported with MH 6 and @w{Emacs 18} through @w{Emacs 21}.
Reportedly, large parts of it work with @w{MH 5} and also with
Lucid/XEmacs and Epoch, but there are no guarantees. It is also
distributed with Lucid/XEmacs, as well as with MH itself.} so you
shouldn't have to do anything special to use it. But it's important to
note a brief history of MH-E. @w{Version 3} was prevalent through the
@w{Emacs 18} and early @w{Emacs 19} years. Then @w{Version 4} came out
(@w{Emacs 19.23}), which introduced several new and changed commands.
Finally, @w{Version 5.0} was released, which fixed some bugs and
incompatibilities, and was incorporated into @w{Emacs 19.29}. Finally,
development was rekindled on SourceForge which resulted in menus and
buttons in version 6.0 and Emacs 21.2. This is the version covered by
this manual. @ref{Getting Started} will help you decide which version
you have.

If you don't already use GNU Emacs but want to learn more, you can read
an online tutorial by starting GNU Emacs and typing @kbd{C-h t}
(@code{help-with-tutorial}).  (This notation is described in
@ref{Conventions}.)  If you want to take the plunge, consult the
@iftex
@cite{GNU Emacs Manual},
@end iftex
@ifinfo
@ref{top, , GNU Emacs Manual, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual},
@end ifinfo
from the Free Software Foundation.

If more information is needed, you can go to the Unix manual pages of
the individual MH commands.  When the name is not obvious, I'll guide
you to a relevant MH manual page that describes the action more fully.

If you are reading this within Emacs or @command{info}, you may be
interested in the online versions of
@uref{http://www.ics.uci.edu/~mh/book/mh-e/, this document} as well as
@uref{http://www.ics.uci.edu/~mh/book/, @cite{MH & nmh: Email for
Users & Programmers}} (also known as the @dfn{MH book}). Likewise, if
you are reading this online, you might be interested to know that the
MH-E manual is also distributed with Emacs.

I hope you enjoy these chapters!  If you have any comments, or
suggestions for this document, please let me know.

@noindent
Bill Wohler <@i{wohler@@newt.com}>@*
8 February 1995

@node Tour Through MH-E, Using MH-E, Preface, Top
@chapter Tour Through MH-E

This chapter introduces some of the terms you'll need to know and then
takes you on a tour of MH-E. @footnote{The keys mentioned in these
chapters refer to the default key bindings. If you've changed the
bindings, refer to the command summaries at the beginning of each
major section in @ref{Using MH-E}, for a mapping between default key
bindings and function names.} When you're done, you'll be able to
send, read, and file mail, which is all that a lot of people ever do.
But if you're the curious or adventurous type, you'll read @ref{Using
MH-E} to be able to use all the features of MH-E. I suggest you read
this chapter first to get the big picture, and then you can read the
manual as you wish.

@menu
* Conventions::                 GNU Emacs Terms and Conventions
* Getting Started::             
* Sending Mail Tour::           
* Reading Mail Tour::           
* Processing Mail Tour::        
* Leaving MH-E::                
* More About MH-E::             
@end menu

@node Conventions, Getting Started, Tour Through MH-E, Tour Through MH-E
@section GNU Emacs Terms and Conventions

@cindex Emacs, terms and conventions

@cindex Emacs
@cindex Unix commands, Emacs

If you're an experienced Emacs user, you can skip the following
conventions and definition of terms and go directly to @ref{Getting
Started} below.

In general, @dfn{functions} in this text refer to Emacs Lisp functions
that one would call from within Emacs Lisp programs (for example,
@code{(mh-inc-folder)}). On the other hand, @dfn{commands} are those
things that are run by the user, such as @kbd{i} or @kbd{M-x
mh-inc-folder}. Programs outside of Emacs are specifically called MH
commands, shell commands, or Unix commands.

The conventions for key names are as follows:

@table @kbd
@item C-x
Hold down the @key{CTRL} (Control) key and press the @kbd{x} key.
@item M-x
Hold down the @key{META} or @key{ALT} key and press the @kbd{x} key.

Since some keyboards don't have a @key{META} key, you can generate
@kbd{M-x}, for example, by pressing @key{ESC} (Escape),
@emph{releasing it}, @footnote{This is emphasized because pressing ESC
twice or holding it down a second too long so that it repeats gives
you an error message.} and then pressing the @kbd{x} key.
@item RET
Press the @key{RETURN} or @key{ENTER} key. This is normally used to
complete a command.
@item SPC
Press the space bar.
@item TAB
Press the @key{TAB} key.
@item DEL
Press the @key{DELETE} key.
@item BS
Press the @key{BACKSPACE} key. @footnote{If you are using Version 20
or earlier of Emacs, you will need to use the @key{DEL} key.}
@end table

@cindex Emacs, prefix argument
@cindex prefix argument

A @dfn{prefix argument} allows you to pass an argument to any Emacs
function. To pass an argument, type @kbd{C-u} before the Emacs command
or keystroke. Numeric arguments can be passed as well. For example, to
insert five f's, use @kbd{C-u 5 f}. There is a default of four when
using @kbd{C-u}, and you can use multiple prefix arguments to provide
arguments of powers of four. To continue our example, you could insert
four f's with @kbd{C-u f}, 16 f's with @kbd{C-u C-u f}, 64 f's with
@kbd{C-u C-u C-u f}, and so on. Numeric and valueless negative
arguments can also be inserted with the @key{META} key. Examples
include @kbd{M-5} to specify an argument of 5, or @kbd{M--} which
specifies a negative argument with no particular value.

@sp 1
@center @strong{NOTE}

@quotation
The prefix @kbd{C-u} or @kbd{M-} is not necessary in MH-E's MH-Folder
mode (@pxref{Reading Mail Tour}). In this mode, simply enter the
numerical argument before entering the command.
@end quotation

@sp 1

@findex @code{customize-option}
@findex @code{customize-group}

Variables in MH-E that can normally be modified by the user are called
@dfn{options} and are modified through the customize functions (such
as @kbd{M-x customize-option} or @kbd{M-x customize-group}).

There are, however, a few @dfn{variables} that you may wish to change
which are modified via the @code{setq} function rather than through
the customize interface.

@cindex point
@cindex Emacs, point
@cindex mark
@cindex Emacs, mark
@cindex region
@cindex Emacs, region

There are several other terms that are used in Emacs that you should
know. The @dfn{point} is where the cursor currently is. You can save
your current place in the file by setting a @dfn{mark}. This operation
is useful in several ways. The mark can be later used when defining a
@dfn{region}, which is the text between the point and mark. Many
commands operate on regions, such as those for deleting text or
filling paragraphs. A mark can be set with @kbd{C-@@} (or
@kbd{C-SPC}).

@cindex minibuffer
@cindex Emacs, minibuffer
@cindex file completion
@cindex Emacs, file completion

The @dfn{minibuffer} is the bottom line of the Emacs window, where all
prompting and multiple-character input is directed. If you are
prompted for information in the minibuffer, such as a filename, Emacs
can help you complete your answer if you type @key{SPC} or @key{TAB}.
A second @key{SPC} or @key{TAB} will list all possibilities at that
point. The minibuffer is also where you enter Emacs function names
after typing @kbd{M-x}. For example, in the preface, I
mentioned that you could obtain help with @kbd{C-h t}
(@code{help-with-tutorial}). What this means is that you can get a
tutorial by typing either @kbd{C-h t} or @kbd{M-x help-with-tutorial}.
In the latter case, you are prompted for @samp{help-with-tutorial} in
the minibuffer after typing @kbd{M-x}.

@cindex interrupting
@cindex Emacs, interrupting
@cindex quitting
@cindex Emacs, quitting

@i{In case of trouble:} Emacs can be interrupted at any time with
@kbd{C-g}. For example, if you've started a command that requests that
you enter something in the minibuffer, but then you change your mind,
type @kbd{C-g} and you'll be back where you started. If you want to
exit Emacs entirely, use @kbd{C-x C-c}.

@node Getting Started, Sending Mail Tour, Conventions, Tour Through MH-E
@section Getting Started

Because there are many old versions of MH-E out there, it is important
to know which version you have. I'll be talking about @w{Version 6}
which differs from @w{Version 4} and @w{Version 5} and is vastly
different from @w{Version 3}.

First, enter @kbd{M-x load-library @key{RET} MH-E @key{RET}}.
@footnote{You wouldn't ordinarily do this.} The message, @samp{Loading
mh-e...done}, should be displayed in the minibuffer. If you get
@samp{Cannot open load file: mh-e}, then your Emacs is very badly
configured, or MH-E is missing. You may wish to have your system
administrator install a new Emacs or at least the latest MH-E files.

Having loaded MH-E successfully, enter @kbd{M-x mh-version @key{RET}}.
The version of MH-E should be displayed. Hopefully it says that you're
running @w{Version @value{VERSION}} which is the latest version as of
this printing. If instead Emacs beeps and says @samp{[No match]}, then
you're running a old version of MH-E.

If these tests reveal a non-existent or old version of MH-E, please
consider obtaining a new version. You can have your system
administrator upgrade the system-wide version, or you can install your
own personal version. It's really quite easy; instructions for getting
and installing MH-E are in @ref{Getting MH-E}.

@cindex @command{install-mh}
@cindex MH commands, @command{install-mh}

Also, older versions of MH-E assumed that you had already set up your
MH environment. @footnote{See the section
@uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/setup.htm, Setting Up MH} in the MH book.}
Newer versions set up a new MH environment for you by running
@command{install-mh} and notifying you of this fact with the message
in a temporary buffer:

@example
I'm going to create the standard MH path for you.
@end example

Therefore, if you've never run MH before and you're using an old
version of MH-E, you need to run @command{install-mh} from the shell
before you continue the tour. If you don't, you'll be greeted with the
error message: @samp{Can't find MH profile}.

@cindex @file{.emacs}
@cindex files, @file{.emacs}

@vindex @code{mh-progs}
@vindex @code{mh-lib}
@vindex @code{mh-lib-progs}

If, during the tour described in this chapter, you see a message like:
@samp{Searching for program: no such file or directory,
/usr/local/bin/mhpath}, it means that the MH programs and files are
kept in a nonstandard directory. In this case, manually set the
variable @code{mh-progs} @footnote{If your version of MH-E is less
than 6.0, then you will have to set @code{mh-lib} and
@code{mh-lib-progs} manually too.} per its description in @ref{Reading
Mail} in @file{~/.emacs} and restart @command{emacs}. For example:

@vindex @code{mh-progs}, example

@example
@group
(setq mh-progs "/usr/bin/mh/")
@end group
@end example

Please report this as a bug and indicate the directory that contains
your MH programs.

@cindex ~

The @samp{~} notation used by @file{~/.emacs} above represents your
home directory. This is used by the @command{bash} and @command{csh} shells.
If your shell does not support this feature, you could use the
environment variable @samp{$HOME} (such as @file{$HOME/.emacs}) or the
absolute path (as in @file{/home/wohler/.emacs}) instead.

At this point, you should see something like the screen in the figure
in @ref{Reading Mail Tour}. We're now ready to move on.

@node Sending Mail Tour, Reading Mail Tour, Getting Started, Tour Through MH-E
@section Sending Mail

@cindex sending mail
@findex @code{mh-smail}

Let's start our tour by sending ourselves a message which we can later
read and process. Enter @kbd{M-x mh-smail} to invoke the MH-E program
to send messages. You will be prompted in the minibuffer by
@samp{To:}. Enter your login name. The next prompt is @samp{cc:}. Hit
@key{RET} to indicate that no carbon copies are to be sent. At the
@samp{Subject:} prompt, enter @kbd{Test} or anything else that comes
to mind.

@cindex MH-Letter mode
@cindex modes, MH-Letter
@cindex mode

Once you've specified the recipients and subject, your message appears
in an Emacs buffer whose mode @footnote{A @dfn{mode} changes Emacs to
make it easier to edit a particular type of text.} is MH-Letter. Enter
some text in the body of the message, using normal Emacs commands. You
should now have something like this: @footnote{If you're running Emacs
under the X Window System, then you would also see a menubar. Under
Emacs 21, you would also see a toolbar. I've left out the menubar and
toolbar in all of the example screens.}

@example
@group
@cartouche






--:--  *scratch*   (Lisp Interaction)--L1--All-------------------------
To: wohler
cc:
Subject: Test
--------
  This is a test message to get the wheels churning...#


--:** @{draft@}   (MH-Letter)--L5--All-----------------------------------

@end cartouche
@i{MH-E message composition window}
@end group
@end example

@cindex MH-Letter mode
@cindex modes, MH-Letter

Note the line of dashes that separates the header and the body of the
message. It is essential that these dashes (or a blank line) are
present or the body of your message will be considered to be part of
the header.

There are several commands specific to MH-Letter mode, but at this
time we'll only use @kbd{C-c C-c} to send your message. Type @kbd{C-c
C-c} now. That's all there is to it!

@node Reading Mail Tour, Processing Mail Tour, Sending Mail Tour, Tour Through MH-E
@section Receiving Mail

@cindex reading mail
@findex @code{mh-rmail}
@cindex @command{inc}
@cindex MH commands, @command{inc}
@cindex @command{scan}
@cindex MH commands, @command{scan}
@cindex MH-Folder mode
@cindex modes, MH-Folder

To read the mail you've just sent yourself, enter @kbd{M-x mh-rmail}.
This incorporates the new mail and put the output from @command{inc}
@footnote{See the section @uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/reapre.htm,
Reading Mail: inc show next prev} in the MH book.} (called @dfn{scan
lines} after the MH program @command{scan} @footnote{See the section
@* @uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/faswsprs.htm, Find and Specify with scan
pick Ranges Sequences} in the MH book.} which prints a one-line
summary of each message) into a buffer called @samp{+inbox} whose
major mode is MH-Folder.

@sp 1
@center @strong{NOTE}

@quotation
The @kbd{M-x mh-rmail} command will show you only new mail, not old
mail. If you were to run this tour again, you would use @kbd{F r} to
pull all your messages into MH-E.
@end quotation

@sp 1

You should see the scan line for your message, and perhaps others. Use
@kbd{n} or @kbd{p} to move the cursor to your test message and type
@key{RET} to read your message. You should see something like:

@example
@group
@cartouche
   3 t08/24  root       received fax files on Wed Aug 24 11:00:13 PDT 1
#  4+t08/24  To:wohler  Test<<This is a test message to get the wheels 

--:%%  @{+inbox@} 4 msgs (1-4)   (MH-Folder Show)--L4--Bot--------------
To: wohler
Subject: Test
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 1994 13:01:13 -0700
From: Bill Wohler <wohler@@newt.com>

  This is a test message to get the wheels churning...





--:--  @{show-+inbox@} 4   (MH-Show)--L1--All---------------------------

@end cartouche
@i{After incorporating new messages}
@end group
@end example

If you typed a long message, you can view subsequent pages with
@key{SPC} and previous pages with @key{DEL}.

@node Processing Mail Tour, Leaving MH-E, Reading Mail Tour, Tour Through MH-E
@section Processing Mail

@cindex processing mail

The first thing we want to do is reply to the message that we sent
ourselves. Ensure that the cursor is still on the same line as your
test message and type @kbd{r}. You are prompted in the minibuffer with
@samp{Reply to whom:}. Here MH-E is asking whether you'd like to reply
to the original sender only, to the sender and primary recipients, or
to the sender and all recipients. If you simply hit @key{RET}, you'll
reply only to the sender. Hit @key{RET} now.

You'll find yourself in an Emacs buffer similar to that when you were
sending the original message, like this:

@example
@group
@cartouche
To: wohler
Subject: Re: Test
In-reply-to: Bill Wohler's message of Wed, 24 Aug 1994 13:01:13 -0700
             <199408242001.NAA00505@@newt.com>
--------
#

--:--  @{draft@}   (MH-Letter)--L11--Bot---------------------------------
To: wohler
Subject: Test
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 1994 13:01:13 -0700
From: Bill Wohler <wohler@@newt.com>

  This is a test message to get the wheels churning...

--:--  @{show-+inbox@} 4   (MH-Show)--L1--All----------------------------
Composing a reply...done
@end cartouche
@i{Composition window during reply}
@end group
@end example

By default, MH will not add you to the address list of your replies,
so if you find that the @samp{To:} header field is missing, don't
worry. In this case, type @kbd{C-c C-f C-t} to create and go to the
@samp{To:} field, where you can type your login name again. You can
move around with the arrow keys or with @kbd{C-p}
(@code{previous-line}), @kbd{C-n} (@code{next-line}), @kbd{C-b}
(@code{backward-char}), and @kbd{C-f} (@code{forward-char}) and can
delete the previous character with @key{BS}. When you're finished
editing your message, send it with @kbd{C-c C-c} as before.

@cindex folder

You'll often want to save messages that were sent to you in an
organized fashion. This is done with @dfn{folders}. You can use
folders to keep messages from your friends, or messages related to a
particular topic. With your cursor in the MH-Folder buffer and
positioned on the message you sent to yourself, type @kbd{o} to output
(@command{refile} in MH parlance) that message to a folder. Enter
@kbd{test} at the @samp{Destination:} prompt and type @kbd{y} (or
@key{SPC}) when MH-E asks to create the folder @samp{+test}. Note that
a @samp{^} (caret) appears next to the message number, which means
that the message has been marked for refiling but has not yet been
refiled. We'll talk about how the refile is actually carried out in a
moment.

@cindex MH-Folder mode
@cindex modes, MH-Folder

Your previous reply is now waiting in the system mailbox. You
incorporate this mail into your MH-Folder buffer named @samp{+inbox}
with the @kbd{i} command. Do this now. After the mail is incorporated,
use @kbd{n} or @kbd{p} to move the cursor to the new message, and read
it with @key{RET}. Let's delete this message by typing @kbd{d}. Note
that a @samp{D} appears next to the message number. This means that
the message is marked for deletion but is not yet deleted. To perform
the deletion (and the refile we did previously), use the @kbd{x}
command.

@findex @code{mh-smail}

If you want to send another message you can use @kbd{m} instead of
@kbd{M-x mh-smail}. So go ahead, send some mail to your friends!

@node Leaving MH-E, More About MH-E, Processing Mail Tour, Tour Through MH-E
@section Leaving MH-E

@cindex Emacs, quitting
@cindex quitting

You may now wish to exit @command{emacs} entirely. Use @kbd{C-x C-c} to
exit @command{emacs}. If you exited without running @kbd{x} in the
@samp{+inbox} buffer, Emacs will offer to save it for you. Type
@kbd{y} or @key{SPC} to save @samp{+inbox} changes, which means to
perform any refiles and deletes that you did there.

If you don't want to leave Emacs, you can type @kbd{q} to bury (hide)
the MH-E folder or delete it entirely with @kbd{C-x k}. You can then
later recall it with @kbd{C-x b} or @kbd{M-x mh-rmail}.

@node More About MH-E,  , Leaving MH-E, Tour Through MH-E
@section More About MH-E

These are the basic commands to get you going, but there are plenty
more. If you think that MH-E is for you, read @ref{Using MH-E} to find
out how you can:

@itemize @bullet
@item
Print your messages. (@ref{Printing}.)
@item
Edit messages and include your signature. (@ref{Draft Editing}.)
@item
Forward messages. (@ref{Forwarding}.)
@item
Read digests. (@ref{Viewing}.)
@item
Edit bounced messages. (@ref{Old Drafts}.)
@item
Send multimedia messages. (@ref{Editing MIME}.)
@item
Process mail that was sent with @command{shar} or @command{uuencode}.
(@ref{Files and Pipes}.)
@item
Use sequences conveniently. (@ref{Sequences}.)
@item
Show header fields in different fonts. (@ref{Viewing}.)
@item
Find previously refiled messages. (@ref{Searching}.)
@item
Place messages in a file. (@ref{Files and Pipes}.)
@end itemize

Remember that you can also use MH commands when you're not running
MH-E (and when you are!).

@node Using MH-E, Odds and Ends, Tour Through MH-E, Top
@chapter Using MH-E

This chapter is the workhorse of the manual. It goes into more detail
about every MH-E command. The default, or "out of the box," behavior
is documented.

@cindex Emacs, functions; describe-mode
@cindex Emacs, online help
@cindex online help

There are many commands, but don't get intimidated. There are command
summaries at the beginning of each section. In case you have or would
like to rebind the keys, the command summaries also list the
associated Emacs Lisp function. Furthermore, even if you're stranded
on a desert island with a laptop and are without your manuals, you can
get a summary of all these commands with GNU Emacs online help: use
@kbd{C-h m} (@code{describe-mode}) for a brief summary of commands or
@kbd{C-h i} to read this manual via Info. The online help is quite
good; try running @kbd{C-h C-h C-h}. This brings up a list of
available help topics, one of which displays the documentation for a
given key (like @kbd{C-h k C-n}). Another useful help feature is to
view the manual section that describes a given key (such as @kbd{C-h
C-k i}). In addition, review @ref{Conventions}, if any of the GNU
Emacs conventions are strange to you.

In addition to all of the commands, it is also possible to reconfigure
MH-E to fit the needs of even the most demanding user. The following
sections also describe all of the options, show the defaults, and make
recommendations for customization.

However, when customizing your mail environment, first try to change
what you want in MH, and only change MH-E if changing MH is not
possible. That way you will get the same behavior inside and outside
GNU Emacs. Note that MH-E does not provide hooks for customizations
that can be done in MH; this omission is intentional.

@cindex setting options
@cindex Emacs, setting options
@findex @code{customize-option}
@vindex @code{mh-lpr-command-format}, example

Many string or integer options are easy to modify using @kbd{M-x
customize-option}. For example, to modify the option that controls
printing, you would run @kbd{M-x customize-option RET
mh-lpr-command-format RET}. In the buffer that appears, modify the
string to the right of the variable. For example, you may change the
@command{lpr} command with @samp{nenscript -G -r -2 -i'%s'}. Then use
the @samp{State} combobox and select @samp{Save for Future Sessions}.
@ref{Printing} talks more about this option.

@vindex @code{mh-bury-show-buffer}, example

Options can also hold boolean values. In Emacs Lisp, the boolean
values are @code{nil}, which means false, and @code{t}, which means
true. The @code{customize-option} function makes it easy to change
boolean values; simply click on the toggle button in the customize
buffer. For example, try setting @code{mh-bury-show-buffer} to
@samp{off} or @code{nil} to keep the MH-Show buffer at the top of the
buffer stack. Use the @samp{State} combobox and choose @samp{Set for
Current Session} to see how the option affects the show buffer.
Then choose the @samp{Erase Customization} menu item to reset the
option to the default, which places the MH-Show buffer at the bottom
of the buffer stack.

The text usually says to turn on an option by setting it to a
@emph{non-@code{nil}} value, because sometimes values other than
@code{t} are meaningful (for example, see @code{mhl-formfile},
described in @ref{Viewing}). Other options, such as hooks, involve a
little more Emacs Lisp programming expertise.

@cindex @samp{mh} customization group
@cindex customization group, @samp{mh}
@cindex @samp{mh-buffer} customization group
@cindex customization group, @samp{mh-buffer}
@cindex @samp{mh-compose} customization group
@cindex customization group, @samp{mh-compose}
@cindex @samp{mh-hook} customization group
@cindex customization group, @samp{mh-hook}
@findex @code{customize-group}

You can browse all of the MH-E options with the @code{customize-group}
function. Try entering @kbd{M-x customize-group RET mh RET}. The other
MH-E groups include @samp{mh-buffer}, @samp{mh-compose} and
@samp{mh-hook}. These groups are also accessible from the @samp{mh}
group buffer.

@need 1000

While options can be set via Emacs customization, variables must be
modified using Emacs Lisp. For example:

@vindex @code{mh-progs}, example

@lisp
(setq mh-progs "/usr/local/bin/mh/")
@end lisp

@cindex @file{.emacs}
@cindex files, @file{.emacs}

Any such modifications should be placed in a file called @file{.emacs}
in your home directory (that is, @file{~/.emacs}).

You can ``preview'' the effects of changing variables before
committing the changes to @file{~/.emacs}. Variables can be changed in
the current Emacs session by using @kbd{M-x set-variable}.

@cindex Emacs, Emacs Lisp manual
@cindex Emacs, online help
@cindex online help
@cindex Emacs, info
@cindex info

I hope I've included enough examples here to get you well on your way.
If you want to explore Emacs Lisp further, a programming manual does
exist,
@c Yes, some of the stuff in the following sections is redundant, but
@c TeX barfs if the @ifs are inside the @footnote.
@iftex
@footnote{The @cite{GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual} may be available
online in the Info system by typing @kbd{C-h i m Emacs Lisp RET}. If
not, you can order a printed manual, which has the desirable
side-effect of helping to support the Free Software Foundation which
made all this great software available. You can find an order form by
running @kbd{C-h C-d}, or you can request an order form from
@i{gnu@@gnu.org}.}
@end iftex
@ifinfo
@footnote{Perhaps you can find the online version of @ref{Top, The GNU
Emacs Lisp Reference Manual, , elisp, GNU Emacs Lisp Reference
Manual}. If not, you can order a printed manual, which has the
desirable side-effect of helping to support the Free Software
Foundation which made all this great software available. You can find
an order form by running @kbd{C-h C-d}, or you can request an order
form from @i{gnu@@gnu.org}.}
@end ifinfo
and you can look at the code itself for examples. Look in the Emacs
Lisp directory on your system (such as
@file{/usr/local/lib/emacs/lisp/mail}) and find all the @file{mh-*.el}
files there. When calling MH-E and other Emacs Lisp functions directly
from Emacs Lisp code, you'll need to know the correct arguments. Use
the online help for this. For example, try @kbd{C-h f
mh-execute-commands RET}. If you write your own functions, please do
not prefix your symbols (variables and functions) with @samp{mh-}.
This prefix is reserved for the MH-E package. To avoid conflicts with
existing MH-E symbols, use a prefix like @samp{my-} or your initials.

Let's get started!

@menu
* Reading Mail::                
* Sending Mail::                
* Draft Editing::               
* Moving Mail::                 
* Searching::                   
* Sequences::                   
* Miscellaneous::               
@end menu

@node Reading Mail, Sending Mail, Using MH-E, Using MH-E
@section Reading Your Mail

@cindex reading mail
@findex @code{mh-rmail}
@cindex MH-Folder mode
@cindex modes, MH-Folder

The MH-E entry point for reading mail is @kbd{M-x mh-rmail}. This
command incorporates your mail and creates a buffer called
@samp{+inbox} in MH-Folder mode. The @kbd{M-x mh-rmail} command shows
you only new mail, not old mail. @footnote{If you want to see your old
mail as well, use @kbd{F r} to pull all your messages into MH-E. Or,
give a prefix argument to @code{mh-rmail} so it will prompt you for
folder to visit like @kbd{F v} (for example, @kbd{C-u M-x mh-rmail
@key{RET} bob @key{RET}}). Both @kbd{F r} and @kbd{F v} are described
in @ref{Organizing}.} The @samp{+inbox} buffer contains @dfn{scan
lines}, which are one-line summaries of each incorporated message. You
can perform most MH commands on these messages via one- or two-letter
commands discussed in this chapter. See @command{scan}(1) for a
description of the contents of the scan lines, and see the Figure in
@ref{Reading Mail Tour}, for an example.

@table @kbd
@item RET
@itemx .
Display a message (@code{mh-show}).

@item SPC
Go to next page in message (@code{mh-page-msg}).

@item BS
Go to previous page in message (@code{mh-previous-page}).

@item , (comma)
Display a message with all header fields (@code{mh-header-display}).

@item n
Display next message (@code{mh-next-undeleted-msg}).

@item p
Display previous message (@code{mh-previous-undeleted-msg}).

@item g
Go to a message (@code{mh-goto-msg}).

@item M-<
Go to first message (@code{mh-first-msg}).

@item M->
Go to last message (@code{mh-last-msg}).

@item t
Toggle between MH-Folder and MH-Folder Show modes
(@code{mh-toggle-showing}).
@end table

@table @kbd
@item D SPC
Go to next message in digest (@code{mh-page-digest}).

@item D BS
Go to previous message in digest (@code{mh-page-digest-backwards}).

@item D b
Break up digest into separate messages (@code{mh-burst-digest}).

@end table

The following table lists general options and variables. Variables,
which must be set with the @code{setq} function are designated as
such, in contrast to options which are set via the customize
interface.

@table @code
@item mh-progs
Directory containing MH programs (default: dynamic).

@item mh-lib
Directory containing MH support files (default: dynamic).

@item mh-lib-progs
Directory containing MH support programs (default: dynamic).

@end table

The following table lists options that are used while reading mail.
@c XXX Seth wishes the descriptions to be more parallel.  That is,
@c some are actions, and some are objects. Hmmm.

@table @code
@item mh-do-not-confirm
Don't confirm on non-reversible commands (default: @code{nil}).

@item mh-summary-height
Number of scan lines to show (includes mode line) (default: 4).

@item mh-folder-mode-hook
Functions to run in MH-Folder mode (default: @code{nil}).

@item mh-clean-message-header
Remove extraneous headers (default: @code{nil}).

@item mh-invisible-headers
Headers to hide (default: A list too long to include here).

@item mh-visible-headers
Headers to display (default: @code{nil}).

@item mhl-formfile
Format file for @command{mhl} (default: @code{nil}).

@item mh-show-hook
Functions to run when showing message (default: @code{nil}).

@item mh-show-mode-hook
Functions to run when showing message (default: @code{nil}).

@item mh-bury-show-buffer
Leave show buffer at bottom of stack (default: @code{t}).

@item mh-show-buffer-mode-line-buffer-id
Name of show buffer in mode line (default: @samp{"@{show-%s@} %d"}).

@end table

@vindex @code{mh-progs}
@vindex @code{mh-lib}
@vindex @code{mh-lib-progs}

The variables @code{mh-progs}, @code{mh-lib}, and @code{mh-lib-progs}
are used to tell
MH-E where the MH programs, supporting files, and supporting programs
are kept,
respectively. MH-E does try to figure out where they are kept for
itself by looking in common places and in the user's @samp{PATH}
environment variable, but if it cannot find the directories, or finds
the wrong ones, you should set these variables. The name of the
directory should be placed in double quotes, and there should be a
trailing slash (@samp{/}). See the example in @ref{Getting Started}.

@vindex @code{mh-do-not-confirm}
@findex @code{mh-execute-commands}
@findex @code{mh-kill-folder}

If you never make mistakes, and you do not like confirmations for your
actions, you can set @code{mh-do-not-confirm} to a non-@code{nil}
value to disable confirmation for unrecoverable commands such as
@kbd{x} (@code{mh-execute-commands}). @footnote{In previous versions
of MH-E, this option suppressed the confirmation in
@code{mh-kill-folder}. Since this kept most users from setting this
option, @code{mh-kill-folder} has been modified in version 6.0 to
always ask for confirmation.} Here's how you set boolean values:

@lisp
(setq mh-do-not-confirm t)
@end lisp

@vindex @code{mh-summary-height}
@cindex MH-Folder mode
@cindex modes, MH-Folder

The variable @code{mh-summary-height} controls the number of scan
lines displayed in the MH-Folder window, including the mode line. The
default value of 4 means that 3 scan lines are displayed. Here's how
you set numerical values:

@lisp
(setq mh-summary-height 2)              ; @r{only show the current scan line}
@end lisp

@vindex @code{mh-bury-show-buffer}
@cindex MH-Folder mode
@cindex modes, MH-Folder

Normally the buffer for displaying messages is buried at the bottom at
the buffer stack. You may wish to disable this feature by setting
@code{mh-bury-show-buffer} to @code{nil}. One advantage of not burying
the show buffer is that one can delete the show buffer more easily in
an electric buffer list because of its proximity to its associated
MH-Folder buffer. Try running @kbd{M-x electric-buffer-list} to see
what I mean.

@vindex @code{mh-folder-mode-hook}
@cindex MH-Folder mode
@cindex modes, MH-Folder

The hook @code{mh-folder-mode-hook} is called when a new folder is
created with MH-Folder mode. This could be used to set your own key
bindings, for example:

@vindex @code{mh-folder-mode-hook}, example

@lisp
@group
(defvar my-mh-init-done nil "Non-@code{nil} when one-time MH-E settings made.")

(defun my-mh-folder-mode-hook ()
  "Hook to set key bindings in MH-Folder mode."
  (if (not my-mh-init-done)             ; @r{only need to bind the keys once }
      (progn
        (local-set-key "/" 'search-msg)
        (local-set-key "b" 'mh-burst-digest)    ; @r{better use of @kbd{b}}
        (setq my-mh-init-done t))))

;;; @r{Emacs 19}
(add-hook 'mh-folder-mode-hook 'my-mh-folder-mode-hook)
;;; @r{Emacs 18}
;;;   @r{(setq mh-folder-mode-hook (cons 'my-mh-folder-mode-hook}
;;;                               @r{mh-folder-mode-hook))}

(defun search-msg ()
  "Search for a regexp in the current message."
  (interactive)                         ; @r{user function}
  (save-window-excursion
    (other-window 1)                    ; @r{go to next window}
    (isearch-forward-regexp)))          ; @r{string search; hit return (ESC}
                                        ;   @r{in Emacs 18) when done}

@i{Create additional key bindings via mh-folder-mode-hook}

@end group
@end lisp

@cindex reading mail
@cindex @file{.emacs}
@cindex files, @file{.emacs}

Before we leave this section, I'll include a function that I use as a
front end to MH-E. @footnote{Stephen Gildea's favorite binding is
@kbd{(global-set-key "\C-cr" 'mh-rmail)}.} It toggles between your
working window configuration, which may be quite involved---windows
filled with source, compilation output, man pages, and other
documentation---and your MH-E window configuration. Like the rest of
the customization described in this chapter, simply add the following
code to @file{~/.emacs}.

@iftex
@filbreak
@end iftex

@findex @code{mh-rmail}, example

@lisp
@group
(defvar my-mh-screen-saved nil
  "Set to non-@code{nil} when MH-E window configuration shown.")
(defvar my-normal-screen nil "Normal window configuration.")
(defvar my-mh-screen nil "MH-E window configuration.")

(defun my-mh-rmail (&optional arg)
  "Toggle between MH-E and normal screen configurations.
With non-@code{nil} or prefix argument, @i{inc} mailbox as well
when going into mail."
  (interactive "P")                 ; @r{user callable function, P=prefix arg}
  (setq my-mh-screen-saved          ; @r{save state}
        (cond
         ;; @r{Bring up MH-E screen if arg or normal window configuration.}
         ;; @r{If arg or +inbox buffer doesn't exist, run mh-rmail.}
         ((or arg (null my-mh-screen-saved))
          (setq my-normal-screen (current-window-configuration))
          (if (or arg (null (get-buffer "+inbox")))
              (mh-rmail)
            (set-window-configuration my-mh-screen))
          t)                        ; @r{set my-mh-screen-saved to @code{t}}
         ;; @r{Otherwise, save MH-E screen and restore normal screen.}
         (t
          (setq my-mh-screen (current-window-configuration))
          (set-window-configuration my-normal-screen)
          nil))))                   ; @r{set my-mh-screen-saved to nil}

(global-set-key "\C-x\r" 'my-mh-rmail)  ;@r{ call with C-x RET}

@i{Starting MH-E}

@end group
@end lisp

If you type an argument (@kbd{C-u}) or if @code{my-mh-screen-saved} is
@code{nil} (meaning a non-MH-E window configuration), the current
window configuration is saved, either +inbox is displayed or
@code{mh-rmail} is run, and the MH-E window configuration is shown.
Otherwise, the MH-E window configuration is saved and the original
configuration is displayed.

The functions and variables introduced here are explained in more
detail in the following sections.

@menu
* Viewing::                     
* Moving Around::               
@end menu

@node Viewing, Moving Around, Reading Mail, Reading Mail
@subsection Viewing Your Mail

@findex @code{mh-show}
@findex @code{mh-page-msg}
@findex @code{mh-previous-page}
@findex @code{mh-header-display}

The @kbd{RET} (@code{mh-show}) command displays the message that the
cursor is on. If the message is already displayed, it scrolls to the
beginning of the message. Use @key{SPC} (@code{mh-page-msg}) and
@key{BS} (@code{mh-previous-page}) to move forwards and backwards one
page at a time through the message. You can give either of these
commands a prefix argument that specifies the number of lines to
scroll (such as @kbd{10 SPC}). MH-E normally hides a lot of the
superfluous header fields that mailers add to a message, but if you
wish to see all of them, use the @kbd{,} (comma;
@code{mh-header-display}) command.

@vindex @code{mh-clean-message-header}
@vindex @code{mh-invisible-headers}
@vindex @code{mh-visible-headers}

Several variables control what displayed messages look like. Normally
messages are delivered with a handful of uninteresting header fields.
You can make them go away by setting @code{mh-clean-message-header} to
a non-@code{nil} value. The header can then be cleaned up in two ways.
By default, the header fields in @code{mh-invisible-headers} are
removed. On the other hand, you could set @code{mh-visible-headers} to
the fields that you would like to see. If this variable is set,
@code{mh-invisible-headers} is ignored. I suggest that you not set
@code{mh-visible-headers} since if you use this variable, you might
miss a lot of header fields that you'd rather not miss. As an example
of how to set a string variable, @code{mh-visible-headers} can be set
to show a minimum set of header fields (see (@ref{Regexps, , Syntax of
Regular Expressions, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}, for a description
of the special characters in this string):

@lisp
(setq mh-visible-headers "^From: \\|^Subject: \\|^Date: ")
@end lisp

@cindex @command{mhl}
@cindex MH commands, @command{mhl}
@vindex @code{mhl-formfile}

Normally MH-E takes care of displaying messages itself (rather than
calling an MH program to do the work). If you'd rather have @command{mhl}
display the message (within MH-E), set the variable
@code{mhl-formfile} to a non-@code{nil} value. You can set this
variable either to @code{t} to use the default format file or to a
filename if you have your own format file (@command{mhl}(1) or section
@uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/shomes.htm#Usisho, Using mhl}
in the MH book tells you how
to write one). When writing your own format file, use a nonzero value
for @samp{overflowoffset} to ensure the header is RFC 822 compliant
and parsable by MH-E. @command{mhl} is always used for printing and
forwarding; in this case, the value of @code{mhl-formfile} is
consulted if it is a filename.

@vindex @code{mh-show-mode-hook}

Two hooks can be used to control how messages are displayed. The first
hook, @code{mh-show-mode-hook}, is called early on in the process of
displaying of messages. It is used to perform some actions on the
contents of messages, such as highlighting the header fields. If
you're running Emacs 19 under the X Window System, the following
example will highlight the @samp{From:} and @samp{Subject:} header
fields. This is a very nice feature indeed.

@vindex @code{mh-show-mode-hook}, example

@lisp
@group
(defvar my-mh-keywords
   '(("^From: \\(.*\\)" 1 'bold t)
     ("^Subject: \\(.*\\)" 1 'highlight t))
  "MH-E additions for font-lock-keywords.")

(defun my-mh-show-mode-hook ()
  "Hook to turn on and customize fonts."
  (font-lock-add-keywords nil my-mh-keywords))

(add-hook 'mh-show-mode-hook 'my-mh-show-mode-hook))

@i{Emphasize header fields in different fonts via mh-show-mode-hook}

@end group
@end lisp

@vindex @code{mh-show-hook}

The second hook, @code{mh-show-hook}, is the last thing called after
messages are displayed. It's used to affect the behavior of MH-E in
general or when @code{mh-show-mode-hook} is too early. For example, if
you wanted to keep MH-E in sync with MH, you could use
@code{mh-show-hook} as follows:

@vindex @code{mh-show-hook}, example

@lisp
(add-hook 'mh-show-hook 'mh-update-sequences)
@end lisp

@vindex @code{mh-show-buffer-mode-line-buffer-id}
@cindex MH-Show mode
@cindex modes, MH-Show

The function @code{mh-update-sequences} is documented in
@ref{Finishing Up}. For those who like to modify their mode lines, use
@code{mh-show-buffer-mode-line-buffer-id} to modify the mode line in
the MH-Show buffers. Place the two escape strings @samp{%s} and
@samp{%d}, which will display the folder name and the message number,
respectively, somewhere in the string in that order. The default value
of @samp{"@{show-%s@} %d"} yields a mode line of

@example
-----@{show-+inbox@} 4      (MH-Show)--Bot--------------------------------
@end example

@menu
* Reading Digests::             
* Reading MIME::                
@end menu

@node Reading Digests, Reading MIME, Viewing, Viewing
@subsubsection Reading Digests

@cindex digests
@findex @code{mh-page-digest}
@findex @code{mh-page-digest-backwards}

A digest is a message that contains other messages. Special MH-E
commands let you read digests conveniently. You can use @key{SPC} and
@key{BS} to page through the digest as if it were a normal message,
but if you wish to skip to the next message in the digest, use
@kbd{D SPC} (@code{mh-page-digest}). To return to a previous message,
use @kbd{D BS} (@code{mh-page-digest-backwards}).

@cindex @command{burst}
@cindex MH commands, @command{burst}
@cindex MH-Folder Show mode
@cindex modes, MH-Folder Show
@findex @code{mh-burst-digest}

Another handy command is @kbd{D b} (@code{mh-burst-digest}). This
command uses the MH command @command{burst} @footnote{See the section 
@uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/burdig.htm, Bursting Messages} in the MH
book.} to break out each message in
the digest into its own message. Using this command, you can quickly
delete unwanted messages, like this: Once the digest is split up,
toggle out of MH-Folder Show mode with @kbd{t} (@pxref{Moving Around})
so that the scan lines fill the screen and messages aren't displayed.
Then use @kbd{d} (@pxref{Deleting}) to quickly delete messages that
you don't want to read (based on the @samp{Subject:} header field).
You can also burst the digest to reply directly to the people who
posted the messages in the digest. One problem you may encounter is
that the @samp{From:} header fields are preceded with a @samp{>} so
that your reply can't create the @samp{To:} field correctly. In this
case, you must correct the @samp{To:} field yourself. This is
described later in @ref{Editing Textual}.

@node Reading MIME,  , Reading Digests, Viewing
@subsubsection Reading Multimedia Mail

@cindex multimedia mail
@cindex MIME
@cindex @command{show}
@cindex MH commands, @command{show}
@cindex @command{mhshow}
@cindex MH commands, @command{mhshow}

MH has the ability to read @dfn{@sc{mime}} (Multipurpose Internet Mail
Extensions) messages. Unfortunately, MH-E does not yet have this
ability, so you have to use the MH commands @command{show} @footnote{See
the section @uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/reapre.htm, Reading Mail: inc
show next prev} in the MH book.} or @command{mhshow} @footnote{See the
section @uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/usimim.htm#ReMIMa, Reading MIME
Mail} in the MH book.} from the shell to read @sc{mime} messages.
@footnote{You
can call them directly from Emacs if you're running the X Window
System: type @kbd{M-! xterm -e mhshow @var{message-number}}. You can
leave out the @samp{xterm -e} if you use @command{mhlist} or
@command{mhstore}.}

@node Moving Around,  , Viewing, Reading Mail
@subsection Moving Around

@cindex moving between messages
@findex @code{mh-next-undeleted-msg}
@findex @code{mh-previous-undeleted-msg}
@findex @code{mh-goto-msg}
@findex @code{mh-last-msg}
@findex @code{mh-first-msg}

To move on to the next message, use the @kbd{n}
(@code{mh-next-undeleted-msg}) command; use the @kbd{p}
(@code{mh-previous-undeleted-msg}) command to read the previous
message. Both of these commands can be given a prefix argument to
specify how many messages to skip (for example, @kbd{5 n}). You can
also move to a specific message with @kbd{g} (@code{mh-goto-msg}). You
can enter the message number either before or after typing @kbd{g}. In
the latter case, Emacs prompts you. Finally, you can go to the first
or last message with @kbd{M-<} (@code{mh-first-msg}) and @kbd{M->}
(@code{mh-last-msg}) respectively.

@cindex MH-Folder mode
@cindex modes, MH-Folder

You can also use the Emacs commands @kbd{C-p} (@code{previous-line})
and @kbd{C-n} (@code{next-line}) to move up and down the scan lines in
the MH-Folder window. These commands can be used in conjunction with
@kbd{RET} to look at deleted or refiled messages.

@cindex MH-Folder mode
@cindex modes, MH-Folder
@cindex MH-Folder Show mode
@cindex modes, MH-Folder Show
@cindex junk mail
@findex @code{mh-toggle-showing}

The command @kbd{t} (@code{mh-toggle-showing}) switches between
MH-Folder mode and MH-Folder Show mode. @footnote{For you Emacs
wizards, this is implemented as an Emacs minor mode.} MH-Folder mode
turns off the associated show buffer so that you can perform
operations on the messages quickly without reading them. This is an
excellent way to prune out your junk mail or to refile a group of
messages to another folder for later examination.

@cindex moving between messages
@cindex MH-Show mode
@cindex modes, MH-Show
@cindex MH-Folder mode
@cindex modes, MH-Folder
@vindex @code{mh-recenter-summary-p}

When you use @kbd{t} (@code{mh-toggle-showing}) to toggle between show
mode and scan mode, the MH-Show buffer is hidden and the MH-Folder
buffer is left alone. Setting @code{mh-recenter-summary-p} to a
non-@code{nil} value causes the toggle to display as many scan lines
as possible, with the cursor at the middle. The effect of
@code{mh-recenter-summary-p} is rather useful, but it can be annoying
on a slow network connection.

@node Sending Mail, Draft Editing, Reading Mail, Using MH-E
@section Sending Mail

@cindex sending mail
@findex @code{mh-smail}

You can send a mail message in several ways. You can call @kbd{M-x
mh-smail} directly, or from the command line like this:

@cindex starting from command line

@example
$ @kbd{emacs -f mh-smail}
@end example

From within MH-E's MH-Folder mode, other methods of sending mail are
available as well:

@table @kbd
@item m
Compose a message (@code{mh-send}).

@item r
Reply to a message (@code{mh-reply}).

@item f
Forward message(s) (@code{mh-forward}).

@item M-d
Redistribute a message (@code{mh-redistribute}).

@item E
Edit a message that was bounced by mailer
(@code{mh-extract-rejected-mail}).

@item e
Edit a message to send it again (@code{mh-edit-again}).
@end table

@cindex MH-Folder mode
@cindex modes, MH-Folder
@cindex MH-Letter mode
@cindex modes, MH-Letter
@findex @code{mh-send}

From within a MH-Folder buffer, you can simply use the command @kbd{m}
(@code{mh-send}). However you invoke @code{mh-send}, you are prompted
for the @samp{To:}, @samp{cc:}, and @samp{Subject:} header fields.
Once you've specified the recipients and subject, your message appears
in an Emacs buffer whose mode is MH-Letter (see the Figure in
@ref{Sending Mail} to see what the buffer looks like). MH-Letter mode
allows you to edit your message, to check the validity of the
recipients, to insert other messages into your message, and to send
the message. We'll go more into depth about editing a @dfn{draft}
@footnote{I highly recommend that you use a @dfn{draft folder} so that
you can edit several drafts in parallel. To do so, create a folder
named @samp{+drafts} for example, and add the profile component
@samp{Draft-Folder: drafts} (see @code{mh-profile}(5)).} (a message
you're composing) in just a moment.

@findex @code{mh-smail}
@findex @code{mh-smail-other-window}

@code{mh-smail} always creates a two-window layout with the current
buffer on top and the draft on the bottom. If you would rather
preserve the window layout, use @kbd{M-x mh-smail-other-window}.

@cindex sending mail

You may wish to start off by adding the following useful key bindings
to your @file{.emacs} file:

@lisp
(global-set-key "\C-xm" 'mh-smail)
(global-set-key "\C-x4m" 'mh-smail-other-window)
@end lisp

In addition, several variables are useful when sending mail or
replying to mail. They are summarized in the following table.

@table @code
@item mh-comp-formfile
Format file for drafts (default: @samp{"components"}).

@item mh-repl-formfile
Format file for replies (default: @samp{"replcomps"}).

@item mh-letter-mode-hook
Functions to run in MH-Letter mode (default: @code{nil}).

@item mh-compose-letter-function
Functions to run when starting a new draft (default: @code{nil}).

@item mh-reply-default-reply-to
Whom reply goes to (default: @code{nil}).

@item mh-forward-subject-format
Format string for forwarded message subject (default: @samp{"%s:
%s"}).

@item mh-redist-full-contents
@code{send} requires entire message (default: @code{nil}).

@item mh-new-draft-cleaned-headers
Remove these header fields from re-edited draft (default:
@samp{"^Date:\\| ^Received:\\| ^Message-Id:\\| ^From:\\| ^Sender:\\|@*
^Delivery-Date:\\| ^Return-Path:"}).
@end table

@cindex @command{comp}
@cindex MH commands, @command{comp}
@vindex @code{mh-comp-formfile}
@cindex @file{components}
@cindex files, @file{components}
@cindex @command{repl}
@cindex MH commands, @command{repl}
@cindex @file{replcomps}
@cindex files, @file{replcomps}
@vindex @code{mh-repl-formfile}

Since MH-E does not use @command{comp} @footnote{See the section
@uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/sensen.htm, Sending Some Mail: comp send}
in the MH book.} to create the initial draft, you 
need to set @code{mh-comp-formfile} to the name of your components
file if it isn't @file{components}. This is the name of the file that
contains the form for composing messages. If it does not contain an
absolute pathname, MH-E searches for the file first in your MH
directory and then in the system MH library directory (such as
@file{/usr/local/lib/mh}). Replies, on the other hand, are built using
@command{repl}. @footnote{See the section
@uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/reprep.htm, Replying to Messages: repl} in
the MH book.} You can change the
location of the field file from the
default of @file{replcomps} by modifying @code{mh-repl-formfile}.

@vindex @code{mh-letter-mode-hook}
@cindex @command{repl}
@cindex MH commands, @command{repl}
@cindex @file{components}
@cindex files, @file{components}

Two hooks are provided to run commands on your freshly created draft.
The first hook, @code{mh-letter-mode-hook}, allows you to do some
processing before editing a letter. For example, you may wish to
modify the header after @command{repl} has done its work, or you may have
a complicated @file{components} file and need to tell MH-E where the
cursor should go. Here's an example of how you would use this
hook---all of the other hooks are set in this fashion as well.

@findex @code{mh-insert-signature}, example

@lisp
@group
(defvar letter-mode-init-done nil
  "Non-@code{nil} when one-time MH-E settings have made.")

(defun my-mh-letter-mode-hook ()
  "Hook to prepare letter for editing."
  (if (not letter-mode-init-done)    ; @r{only need to bind the keys once}
      (progn
        (local-set-key "\C-ctb" 'add-enriched-text)
        (local-set-key "\C-cti" 'add-enriched-text)
        (local-set-key "\C-ctf" 'add-enriched-text)
        (local-set-key "\C-cts" 'add-enriched-text)
        (local-set-key "\C-ctB" 'add-enriched-text)
        (local-set-key "\C-ctu" 'add-enriched-text)
        (local-set-key "\C-ctc" 'add-enriched-text)
        (setq letter-mode-init-done t)))
  (setq fill-prefix "  ")            ; @r{I find indented text easier to read}
  (save-excursion
    (goto-char (point-max))          ; @r{go to end of message to}
    (mh-insert-signature)))          ;   @r{insert signature}

(add-hook 'mh-letter-mode-hook 'my-mh-letter-mode-hook)

@i{Prepare draft for editing via mh-letter-mode-hook}

@end group
@end lisp

The function, @code{add-enriched-text} is defined in the example in
@ref{Editing MIME}.

@vindex @code{mh-compose-letter-function}

The second hook, a function really, is
@code{mh-compose-letter-function}. Like @code{mh-letter-mode-hook}, it
is called just before editing a new message; however, it is the last
function called before you edit your message. The consequence of this
is that you can write a function to write and send the message for
you. This function is passed three arguments: the contents of the
@samp{To:}, @samp{Subject:}, and @samp{cc:} header fields.

The functions and variables introduced here are explained in more
detail in the following sections.

@menu
* Replying::                    
* Forwarding::                  
* Redistributing::              
* Old Drafts::                  
@end menu

@node Replying, Forwarding, Sending Mail, Sending Mail
@subsection Replying to Mail

@cindex replying
@cindex @command{mhl}
@cindex MH commands, @command{mhl}
@cindex @file{mhl.reply}
@cindex files, @file{mhl.reply}
@findex @code{mh-reply}

To compose a reply to a message, use the @kbd{r} (@code{mh-reply})
command. If you supply a prefix argument (as in @kbd{C-u r}), the
message you are replying to is inserted in your reply after having
first been run through @command{mhl} with the format file
@file{mhl.reply}. See @command{mhl}(1) or the section
@uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/shomes.htm#Usisho, Using mhl}
in the MH book to see how you can modify the
default @file{mhl.reply} file.

When you reply to a message, you are first prompted with @samp{Reply
to whom?}. You have several choices here.

@example
@group
@b{Response}     @b{Reply Goes To}

@kbd{from}         @r{The person who sent the message.  This is the default,}
             @r{so @key{RET} is sufficient.}

@kbd{to}           @r{Replies to the sender, plus all recipients in the}
             @r{@samp{To:} header field.}

@kbd{all}
@kbd{cc}           @r{Forms a reply to the sender, plus all recipients.}
@end group
@end example

@cindex @command{repl}
@cindex MH commands, @command{repl}

Depending on your answer, @command{repl} @footnote{See the section
@uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/reprep.htm, Replying to Messages: repl} in
the MH book.} is given a different argument to
form your reply. Specifically, a choice of @kbd{from} or none at all
runs @samp{repl -nocc all}, and a choice of @kbd{to} runs @samp{repl
-cc to}. Finally, either @kbd{cc} or @kbd{all} runs @samp{repl -cc all
-nocc me}.

@cindex MH-Letter mode
@cindex modes, MH-Letter

Two windows are then created. One window contains the message to which
you are replying. Your draft, in MH-Letter mode (described in
@ref{Draft Editing}), is in the other window.

If you wish to customize the header or other parts of the reply draft,
please see @command{repl}(1) and @code{mh-format}(5).

@cindex replying
@vindex @code{mh-reply-default-reply-to}

If you find that most of the time that you specify @kbd{cc} when you
reply to a message, set @code{mh-reply-default-reply-to} to @samp{cc}.
This variable is normally set to @code{nil} so that you are prompted
for the recipient of a reply. It can be set to one of @samp{from},
@samp{to}, or @samp{cc}; you are then no longer prompted for the
recipient(s) of your reply.

@node Forwarding, Redistributing, Replying, Sending Mail
@subsection Forwarding Mail

@cindex forwarding
@cindex @command{forw}
@cindex MH commands, @command{forw}
@findex @code{mh-forward}

To forward a message, use the @kbd{f} (@code{mh-forward}) command. You
are given a draft to edit that looks like it would if you had run the
MH command @command{forw}. @footnote{See the section
@uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/forfor.htm, Forwarding Messages: forw} in
the MH book.} You are given a chance to add some text (see
@ref{Draft Editing}).

You can forward several messages by using a prefix argument; in this
case, you are prompted for the name of a @dfn{sequence}, a symbolic
name that represents a list or range of message numbers (for example,
@kbd{C-u f forbob @key{RET}}). All of the messages in the sequence are
inserted into your draft. By the way, although sequences are often
mentioned in this chapter, you don't have to worry about them for now;
the full description of sequences in MH-E is at the end in
@ref{Sequences}. To learn more about sequences in general, please see
@code{mh-sequence}(5).

@cindex forwarding
@vindex @code{mh-forward-subject-format}

When forwarding a message, the format of the @samp{Subject:} header
field can be modified by the variable
@code{mh-forward-subject-format}. This variable is a string which
includes two escapes (@samp{%s}). The first @samp{%s} is replaced with
the sender of the original message, and the second one is replaced
with the original @samp{Subject:}. The default value of @samp{"%s:
%s"} takes a message with the header:

@example
@group
To: Bill Wohler <wohler@@newt.com>
Subject: Re: 49er football
From: Greg DesBrisay <gd@@cellnet.com>
@end group
@end example

and creates a subject header field of:

@example
Subject: Greg DesBrisay: Re: 49er football
@end example

@node Redistributing, Old Drafts, Forwarding, Sending Mail
@subsection Redistributing Your Mail

@cindex redistributing
@findex @code{mh-redistribute}
@cindex @command{dist}
@cindex MH commands, @command{dist}

The command @kbd{M-d} (@code{mh-redistribute}) is similar in function
to forwarding mail, but it does not allow you to edit the message, nor
does it add your name to the @samp{From:} header field. It appears to
the recipient as if the message had come from the original sender. For
more information on redistributing messages, see @command{dist}(1). Also
investigate the @kbd{e} (@code{mh-edit-again}) command in @ref{Old
Drafts}, for another way to redistribute messages.

@cindex redistributing
@vindex @code{mh-redist-full-contents}
@cindex @command{send}
@cindex MH commands, @command{send}

The variable @code{mh-redist-full-contents} must be set to
non-@code{nil} if @command{dist} @footnote{See the section
@uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/disdis.htm, Distributing Messages with
dist} in the MH book.} requires the whole letter for redistribution,
which is the case if @command{send} @footnote{See the section
@uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/sensen.htm, Sending Some Mail: comp send}
in the MH book.} is compiled with the
@sc{berk} @footnote{To see which options your copy of MH was compiled
with, use @kbd{M-x mh-version} (@ref{Miscellaneous}).} option (which
many people abhor). If you find that MH will not allow you to
redistribute a message that has been redistributed before, this
variable should be set to @code{nil}.

@node Old Drafts,  , Redistributing, Sending Mail
@subsection Editing Old Drafts and Bounced Messages

@cindex re-editing drafts
@cindex @file{draft}
@cindex files, @file{draft}
@findex @code{mh-edit-again}

If you don't complete a draft for one reason or another, and if the
draft buffer is no longer available, you can pick your draft up again
with @kbd{e} (@code{mh-edit-again}). If you don't use a draft
folder, your last @file{draft} file will be used. If you use draft
folders, you'll need to visit the draft folder with @kbd{F v drafts
@key{RET}}, use @kbd{n} to move to the appropriate message, and then
use @kbd{e} to prepare the message for editing.

The @kbd{e} command can also be used to take messages that were sent
to you and to send them to more people.

@cindex Mailer-Daemon
@findex @code{mh-extract-rejected-mail}

Don't use @kbd{e} to re-edit a message from a @i{Mailer-Daemon} who
complained that your mail wasn't posted for some reason or another. In
this case, use @kbd{E} (@code{mh-extract-rejected-mail}) to prepare
the message for editing by removing the @i{Mailer-Daemon} envelope and
unneeded header fields. Fix whatever addressing problem you had, and
send the message again with @kbd{C-c C-c}.

@cindex re-editing drafts
@vindex @code{mh-new-draft-cleaned-headers}

The header fields specified by @code{mh-new-draft-cleaned-headers} are
removed from an old draft that has been recreated with @kbd{E}
(@code{mh-extract-rejected-mail}) or @kbd{e} (@code{mh-edit-again}).
If when you edit an old draft with these commands you find that there
are header fields that you don't want included, you can append them to
this variable. For example,

@vindex @code{mh-new-draft-cleaned-headers}, example

@lisp
(setq mh-new-draft-cleaned-headers
      (concat mh-new-draft-cleaned-headers "\\|^Some-Field:"))
@end lisp

@cindex regular expressions

This appends the regular expression @samp{\\|^Some-Field:} to the
variable (@pxref{Regexps, , Syntax of Regular Expressions, emacs, The
GNU Emacs Manual}). The @samp{\\|} means @emph{or}, and the @samp{^}
(caret) matches the beginning of the line. This is done to be very
specific about which fields match. The literal @samp{:} is appended
for the same reason.

@node Draft Editing, Moving Mail, Sending Mail, Using MH-E
@section Editing a Draft

@cindex editing draft
@cindex MH-Letter mode
@cindex modes, MH-Letter

When you edit a message that you want to send (called a @dfn{draft} in
this case), the mode used is MH-Letter. This mode provides several
commands in addition to the normal Emacs editing commands to help you
edit your draft.

@table @kbd
@item C-c C-y
Insert contents of message to which you're replying
(@code{mh-yank-cur-msg}).

@item C-c C-i
Insert a message from a folder (@code{mh-insert-letter}).

@item C-c C-f C-t
Move to @samp{To:} header field (@code{mh-to-field}).

@item C-c C-f C-c
Move to @samp{cc:} header field (@code{mh-to-field}).

@item C-c C-f C-s
Move to @samp{Subject:} header field (@code{mh-to-field}).

@item C-c C-f C-f
Move to @samp{From:} header field (@code{mh-to-field}).

@item C-c C-f C-b
Move to @samp{Bcc:} header field (@code{mh-to-field}).

@item C-c C-f C-f
Move to @samp{Fcc:} header field (@code{mh-to-fcc}).

@item C-c C-f C-d
Move to @samp{Dcc:} header field (@code{mh-to-field}).

@item C-c C-w
Display expanded recipient list (@code{mh-check-whom}).

@item C-c C-s
Insert signature in message (@code{mh-insert-signature}).

@item C-c C-m C-f
Include forwarded message (@sc{mime}) (@code{mh-mhn-compose-forw}).

@item C-c C-m C-e
Include anonymous ftp reference (@sc{mime})
(@code{mh-mhn-compose-anon-ftp}).

@item C-c C-m C-t
Include anonymous ftp reference to compressed tar file (@sc{mime})
(@code{mh-mhn-compose-external-compressed-tar}).

@item C-c C-m C-i
Include binary, image, sound, etc. (@sc{mime})
(@code{mh-mhn-compose-insertion}).

@item C-c C-e
Run through @command{mhn} before sending (@code{mh-edit-mhn}).

@item C-c C-m C-u
Undo effects of @command{mhn} (@code{mh-revert-mhn-edit}).

@item C-c C-c
Save draft and send message (@code{mh-send-letter}).

@item C-c C-q
Quit editing and delete draft message (@code{mh-fully-kill-draft}).
@end table

The functions and variables introduced here are explained in more
detail in the following sections.

@menu
* Editing Textual::             
* Editing MIME::                
* Sending Message::             
* Killing Draft::               
@end menu

@node Editing Textual, Editing MIME, Draft Editing, Draft Editing
@subsection Editing Textual Messages

The following sections show you how to edit a draft. The commands
described here are also applicable to messages that have multimedia
components.

The following two sections include variables that customize the way
you edit a draft. The discussion here applies to editing multimedia
messages as well.

@menu
* Inserting Letter::            
* Inserting Messages::          
* Header::                      
* Recipients::                  
* Signature::                   
@end menu

@node Inserting Letter, Inserting Messages, Editing Textual, Editing Textual
@subsubsection Inserting letter to which you're replying

@cindex inserting messages
@findex @code{mh-yank-cur-msg}

It is often useful to insert a snippet of text from a letter that
someone mailed to provide some context for your reply. The command
@kbd{C-c C-y} (@code{mh-yank-cur-msg}) does this by yanking a portion
of text from the message to which you're replying and inserting
@samp{> } before each line.

@cindex mark
@cindex Emacs, mark
@cindex point
@cindex Emacs, point
@cindex region
@cindex Emacs, region

You can control how much text is included when you run this command.
If you run this command right away, without entering the buffer
containing the message to you, this command will yank the entire
message, as is, into your reply. @footnote{If you'd rather have the
header cleaned up, use @kbd{C-u r} instead of @kbd{r} when replying
(see @ref{Replying}).} If you enter the buffer containing the message
sent to you and move the cursor to a certain point and return to your
reply and run @kbd{C-c C-y}, then the text yanked will range from that
point to the end of the message. Finally, the most common action
you'll perform is to enter the message sent to you, move the cursor to
the beginning of a paragraph or phrase, set the @dfn{mark} with
@kbd{C-SPC} or @kbd{C-@@}, and move the cursor to the end of the
paragraph or phrase. The cursor position is called the @dfn{point},
and the space between the mark and point is called the @dfn{region}.
Having done that, @kbd{C-c C-y} will insert the region you selected.

@cindex inserting messages
@vindex @code{mh-yank-from-start-of-msg}

To control how much of the message to which you are replying is yanked
by @kbd{C-c C-y} (@code{mh-yank-cur-msg}) into your reply, modify
@code{mh-yank-from-start-of-msg}. The default value of @code{t} means
that the entire message is copied. If it is set to @code{'body} (don't
forget the apostrophe), then only the message body is copied. If it is
set to @code{nil}, only the part of the message following point (the
current cursor position in the message's buffer) is copied. In any
case, this variable is ignored if a region is set in the message you
are replying to.

@vindex @code{mh-ins-buf-prefix}
@vindex @code{mail-citation-hook}

@c The @samp{"> "} below drops a quote.  XXX
The string contained in @code{mh-ins-buf-prefix} is inserted before
each line of a message that is inserted into a draft with @kbd{C-c
C-y} (@code{mh-yank-cur-msg}). I suggest that you not modify this
variable. The default value of @samp{"> "} is the default string for
many mailers and news readers: messages are far easier to read if
several included messages have all been indented by the same string.
The variable @code{mail-citation-hook} is @code{nil} by default, which
means that when a message is inserted into the letter, each line is
prefixed by @code{mh-ins-buf-prefix}. Otherwise, it can be set to a
function that modifies an included
@cindex Emacs, packages, supercite
citation. 
@c Footnotes are fragile; hence the redundancy.
@c TeX not inserting a line break; hence the @*
@ifclear html
@footnote{@emph{Supercite} is an example of a full-bodied,
full-featured citation package. It is in Emacs versions 19.15 and
later, and can be found via anonymous @command{ftp} on
@samp{archive.cis.ohio-state.edu} in @*
@file{/pub/gnu/emacs/elisp-archive/packages/sc3.1.tar.Z}}
@end ifclear
@ifset html
@footnote{@emph{Supercite} is an example of a full-bodied,
full-featured citation package.  It is in Emacs versions 19.15 and
later, and its @sc{url} is @*
@file{<A HREF="ftp://archive.cis.ohio-state.edu/pub/gnu/emacs/elisp-archive/packages/sc3.1.tar.Z">ftp://archive.cis.ohio-state.edu/pub/gnu/emacs/elisp-archive/packages/sc3.1.tar.Z</A>}}
@end ifset

@vindex @code{mh-delete-yanked-msg-window}

If you like to yank all the text from the message you're replying to
in one go, set @code{mh-delete-yanked-msg-window} to non-@code{nil} to
delete the window containing the original message after yanking it to
make more room on your screen for your reply.

@node Inserting Messages, Header, Inserting Letter, Editing Textual
@subsubsection Inserting messages

@cindex inserting messages
@findex @code{mh-insert-letter}

Messages can be inserted with @kbd{C-c C-i} (@code{mh-insert-letter}).
This command prompts you for the folder and message number and inserts
the message, indented by @samp{> }. Certain undesirable header fields
are removed before insertion. If given a prefix argument (like
@kbd{C-u C-c C-i}), the header is left intact, the message is not
indented, and @samp{> } is not inserted before each line.

@node Header, Recipients, Inserting Messages, Editing Textual
@subsubsection Editing the header

@cindex editing header
@findex @code{mh-to-field}

Because the header is part of the message, you can edit the header
fields as you wish. However, several convenience functions exist to
help you create and edit them. For example, the command @kbd{C-c C-f
C-t} (@code{mh-to-field}; alternatively, @kbd{C-c C-f t}) moves the
cursor to the @samp{To:} header field, creating it if necessary. The
functions to move to the @samp{cc:}, @samp{Subject:}, @samp{From:},
@samp{Bcc:}, and @samp{Dcc:} header fields are similar.

@findex @code{mh-to-fcc}

One function behaves differently from the others, namely, @kbd{C-c C-f
C-f} (@code{mh-to-fcc}; alternatively, @kbd{C-c C-f f}). This function
will prompt you for the folder name in which to file a copy of the
draft.

Be sure to leave a row of dashes or a blank line between the header
and the body of the message.

@node Recipients, Signature, Header, Editing Textual
@subsubsection Checking recipients

@cindex checking recipients
@cindex @command{whom}
@cindex MH commands, @command{whom}
@findex @code{mh-check-whom}

The @kbd{C-c C-w} (@code{mh-check-whom}) command expands aliases so
you can check the actual address(es) in the alias. A new buffer is
created with the output of @command{whom}. @footnote{See the section
@* @uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/senove.htm#WhaPro, What now? -- and the
whatnow Program} in the MH book.}

@node Signature,  , Recipients, Editing Textual
@subsubsection Inserting your signature

@cindex inserting signature
@cindex signature
@cindex @file{.signature}
@cindex files, @file{.signature}
@findex @code{mh-insert-signature}

You can insert your signature at the current cursor location with the
@kbd{C-c C-s} (@code{mh-insert-signature}) command. The text of your
signature is taken from the file @file{~/.signature}.

@cindex inserting signature
@cindex signature
@vindex @code{mh-signature-file-name}
@cindex @file{.signature}
@cindex files, @file{.signature}

You can change the name of this file by changing
@code{mh-signature-file-name}.

@node Editing MIME, Sending Message, Editing Textual, Draft Editing
@subsection Editing Multimedia Messages

@cindex MIME
@cindex multimedia mail
@cindex @command{mhn}
@cindex MH commands, @command{mhn}

MH-E has the capability to create multimedia messages. It uses the
@sc{mime} (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) protocol
@footnote{MIME is defined in
@uref{http://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2045.txt, RFC 2045}.} The
@sc{mime} protocol allows you to incorporate images, sound, video,
binary files, and even commands that fetch a file with @samp{ftp} when
your recipient reads the message!

If you were to create a multimedia message with plain MH commands, you
would use @command{mhn}. Indeed, the MH-E @sc{mime} commands, prefixed
with @kbd{C-c C-m} and described in detail in the sub-sections that
follow, merely insert @command{mhn} directives which are later expanded
by @command{mhn}. One or more of these directives may be inserted into
your message. Remember: you can always add @command{mhn} directives by
hand. @footnote{See the section
@uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/usimim.htm#SeMIMa, Sending MIME Mail} in
the MH book.}

@cindex media types
@cindex MIME, media types

The MH-E @sc{mime} commands require a @dfn{media type} for each body
part or attachment. Some fill in the media type for you, whereas
others require you to enter one.

@cindex @command{file}
@cindex Unix commands, @command{file}
@cindex @file{/etc/mime.types}
@cindex files, @file{/etc/mime.types}
@findex @code{mailcap-mime-types}

In the cases where MH-E can do so, it will determine the media type
automatically. It uses the @command{file} command to do this. Failing
that, the Emacs function @code{mailcap-mime-types} is used to provide
a list from which to choose. This function usually reads the file
@file{/etc/mime.types}. If all else fails, the list is taken from
@code{mh-mime-content-types}.

@cindex MIME
@cindex multimedia mail
@vindex @code{mh-mime-content-types}

The variable @code{mh-mime-content-types} @footnote{The variable
@code{mh-mime-content-types} really should be called
@code{mh-mime-media-types} since it holds a list of media types. It
was originally named that way as the media types appear in the
Content-Type header field.} contains a list of the most frequently
used media types. If your system does fall back to using this variable
and you encounter a new media type that you want to add to the list of
types available for media type completion, you can add it like this:

@vindex @code{mh-mime-content-types}, example

@lisp
(setq mh-mime-content-types (append mh-mime-content-types
                                    '(("@var{new/type}"))))
@end lisp

No matter how you add the media type, use the type that seems to match
best the file that you are including. In the case of binaries, the
media type @samp{application/x-executable} can be useful. If you can't
find an appropriate media type, use @samp{text/plain} for text
messages and @samp{application/octet-stream} for everything else.

@cindex content description
@cindex MIME, content description

You are also sometimes asked for a @dfn{content description}. This is
simply an optional brief phrase, in your own words, that describes the
object. If you don't care to enter a content description, just press
return and none will be included; however, a reader may skip over
multimedia fields unless the content description is compelling.

To close this section, I'll describe an Emacs function which can be
used to insert enriched text directives to liven up your plain text
messages with boldface, underlining, and italics.

@lisp
@group
(defvar enriched-text-types '(("b" . "bold") ("i" . "italic")
                              ("u" . "underline") 
                              ("s" . "smaller") ("B" . "bigger")
                              ("f" . "fixed")
                              ("c" . "center"))
  "Alist of (final-character . directive) choices for add-enriched-text.
Additional types can be found in RFC 1563.")

(defun add-enriched-text (begin end)
  "Add enriched text directives around region.
The directive used comes from the list enriched-text-types and is
specified by the last keystroke of the command.  When called from Lisp,
arguments are BEGIN and END@."
  (interactive "r")
  ;; @r{Set type to the directive indicated by the last keystroke.}
  (let ((type (cdr (assoc (char-to-string (logior last-input-char ?@w{`}))
                          enriched-text-types))))
    (save-restriction              ; @r{restores state from narrow-to-region}
      (narrow-to-region begin end) ; @r{narrow view to region}
      (goto-char (point-min))      ; @r{move to beginning of text}
      (insert "<" type ">")        ; @r{insert beginning directive}
      (goto-char (point-max))      ; @r{move to end of text}
      (insert "</" type ">"))))    ; @r{insert terminating directive}

@i{Emacs function for entering enriched text}

@end group
@end lisp

To use the function @code{add-enriched-text}, first add it to your
@file{.emacs} file and create keybindings for it (@pxref{Sending
Mail}).

Then, in your plain text message, set the mark with @kbd{C-@@} or
@kbd{C-SPC}, type in the text to be highlighted, and type @kbd{C-c t
b}. This adds @samp{<bold>} where you set the mark and adds
@samp{</bold>} at the location of your cursor, giving you something
like: @samp{You should be <bold>very</bold>}.

Before sending this message, use @kbd{C-c C-e} (@code{mh-edit-mhn}) to
add MIME header fields. Then replace @samp{text/plain} with
@samp{text/enriched} in the @samp{Content-Type} header field.

You may also be interested in investigating @code{sgml-mode}.

@menu
* Forwarding MIME::             
* FTP::                         
* Tar::                         
* Other MIME Objects::          
* Sending MIME::                
@end menu

@node Forwarding MIME, FTP, Editing MIME, Editing MIME
@subsubsection Forwarding multimedia messages

@findex @code{mh-mhn-compose-forw}

Mail may be forwarded with @sc{mime} using the command @kbd{C-c C-m
C-f} (@code{mh-mhn-compose-forw}). You are prompted for a content
description, the name of the folder in which the messages to forward
are located, and the messages' numbers.

@node FTP, Tar, Forwarding MIME, Editing MIME
@subsubsection Including an ftp reference

@cindex @command{ftp}
@cindex Unix commands, @command{ftp}
@cindex MIME, @command{ftp}
@findex @code{mh-mhn-compose-anon-ftp}

You can even have your message initiate an @command{ftp} transfer when
the recipient reads the message. To do this, use the @kbd{C-c C-m C-e}
(@code{mh-mhn-compose-anon-ftp}) command. You are prompted for the
remote host and pathname, the media type, and the content
description.

@node Tar, Other MIME Objects, FTP, Editing MIME
@subsubsection Including tar files

@cindex @command{tar}
@cindex Unix commands, @command{tar}
@cindex MIME, @command{tar}
@cindex @command{ftp}
@cindex Unix commands, @command{ftp}
@cindex MIME, @command{ftp}
@findex @code{mh-mhn-compose-external-compressed-tar}

If the remote file (@pxref{FTP}) is a compressed tar file, you can use
@kbd{C-c C-m C-t} (@code{mh-mhn-compose-external-compressed-tar}).
Then, in addition to retrieving the file via anonymous @emph{ftp}, the
file will also be uncompressed and untarred. You are prompted for the
remote host and pathname and the content description. The pathname
should contain at least one @samp{/} (slash), because the pathname is
broken up into directory and name components.

@node Other MIME Objects, Sending MIME, Tar, Editing MIME
@subsubsection Including other multimedia objects

@cindex images
@cindex MIME, images
@cindex sound
@cindex MIME, sound
@cindex video
@cindex MIME, video
@findex @code{mh-mhn-compose-insertion}

Binaries, images, sound, and video can be inserted in your message with the
@kbd{C-c C-m C-i} (@code{mh-mhn-compose-insertion}) command. You are
prompted for the filename containing the object, the media type if it
cannot be determined automatically, and
a content description of the object. This command may have been
mentioned last, but it will be the command you use most.

@node Sending MIME,  , Other MIME Objects, Editing MIME
@subsubsection Readying multimedia messages for sending

When you are finished editing a @sc{mime} message, it might look like this:

@example
@group
@cartouche
   3 t08/24  root               received fax files on Wed Aug 24 11:00:
   4+t08/24  To:wohler          Test<<This is a test message to get the





--:%%  @{+inbox@} 4 msgs (1-4)   (MH-Folder Show)--L4--Bot---------------
To: wohler
cc:
Subject: Test of MIME
--------
#@@application/octet-stream [Nonexistent ftp test file] \
access-type=anon-ftp; site=berzerk.com; name=panacea.tar.gz; \
directory="/pub/"
#audio/basic [Test sound bite] /tmp/noise.au
--:**  @{draft@}   (MH-Letter)--L8--All----------------------------------

@end cartouche
@i{MH-E @sc{mime} draft}
@end group
@end example

In versions 6.0 and later of MH-E, this message can be sent as
described in @ref{Sending Mail}. However, if none of the @kbd{C-c C-m}
commands have been used (that is, @emph{all} of the @command{mhn}
directives have been added by hand), or you are using an older version
of MH-E, you must first convert the @command{mhn} directives to @sc{mime}
directives before sending.

@cindex @command{mhn}
@cindex MH commands, @command{mhn}
@findex @code{mh-edit-mhn}

This is accomplished by the command @kbd{C-c C-e}
(@code{mh-edit-mhn}), which runs @command{mhn} on the message.
@footnote{See the section
@uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/usimim.htm#SeMIMa, Sending MIME Mail} in
the MH book.} The
following screen shows what those commands look like in full @sc{mime}
format. You can see why mail user agents are usually built to hide
these details from the user.

@example
@group
@cartouche
To: wohler
cc:
Subject: Test of MIME
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/mixed; boundary="----- =_aaaaaaaaaa0"
Content-ID: <1623.777796162.0@@newt.com>

This is a MIME-encapsulated message

------- =_aaaaaaaaaa0
Content-Type: message/external-body; access-type="anon-ftp";
        site="berzerk.com"; name="panacea.tar.gz"; directory="/pub/"

Content-Type: application/octet-stream
Content-ID: <1623.777796162.1@@newt.com>
Content-Description: Nonexistent ftp test file

------- =_aaaaaaaaaa0
Content-Type: audio/basic
Content-ID: <1623.777796162.2@@newt.com>
Content-Description: Test sound bite
Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64

Q3JlYXRpdmUgVm9pY2UgRmlsZRoaAAoBKREBQh8AgwCAgH9/f35+fn59fX5+fn5+f39/f39
f4B/f39/f39/f39/f39/f39+f39+f39/f39/f4B/f39/fn5/f39/f3+Af39/f39/gH9/f39
--:--  @{draft@}   (MH-Letter)--L2--Top----------------------------------

@end cartouche
@i{MH-E @sc{mime} draft ready to send}
@end group
@end example

@findex @code{mh-revert-mhn-edit}

This action can be undone by running @kbd{C-c C-m C-u}
(@code{mh-revert-mhn-edit}). It does this by reverting to a backup
file. You are prompted to confirm this action, but you can avoid the
confirmation by adding an argument (for example, @kbd{C-u C-c C-m
C-u}).

@vindex @code{mh-mhn-args}

If you wish to pass additional arguments to @command{mhn} to affect how
it builds your message, use the variable @code{mh-mhn-args}. For
example, you can build a consistency check into the message by setting
@code{mh-mhn-args} to @samp{-check}. The recipient of your message can
then run @samp{mhn -check} on the message---@command{mhn} will complain
if the message has been corrupted on the way. The @kbd{C-c C-e}
(@code{mh-mhn-edit}) command only consults this variable when given a
prefix argument.

Some mailers add a message such as ``This is a MIME-encapsulated
message'' to the top of the message. Note that @command{mhn} does not add
any messages of this sort. You can always add one yourself after
incorporating the MIME body parts with @kbd{C-c C-e}
(@code{mh-edit-mhn}). Insert your text @emph{after} the blank line
that separates the header from the boundary of the first MIME body
part (usually @samp{------- =_aaaaaaaaaa0}). The previous screen shows
how this might look.

@node Sending Message, Killing Draft, Editing MIME, Draft Editing
@subsection Sending a Message

@cindex sending mail
@findex @code{mh-send-letter}

When you are all through editing a message, you send it with the
@kbd{C-c C-c} (@code{mh-send-letter}) command. You can give an
argument (as in @kbd{C-u C-c C-c}) to monitor the first stage of the
delivery.

@cindex sending mail
@cindex spell check
@vindex @code{mh-before-send-letter-hook}

If you want to check your spelling in your message before sending, use
@code{mh-before-send-letter-hook} like this:

@vindex @code{mh-before-send-letter-hook}, example

@lisp
(add-hook 'mh-before-send-letter-hook 'ispell-message)
@end lisp

@cindex @command{send}
@cindex MH commands, @command{send}
@vindex @code{mh-send-prog}

In case the MH @command{send} program @footnote{See the section
@uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/sensen.htm, Sending Some Mail: comp send}
in the MH book.} is installed under a different
name, use @code{mh-send-prog} to tell MH-E the name.

@node Killing Draft,  , Sending Message, Draft Editing
@subsection Killing the Draft

@cindex killing draft
@findex @code{mh-fully-kill-draft}

If for some reason you are not happy with the draft, you can kill it
instead with @kbd{C-c C-q} (@code{mh-fully-kill-draft}). Emacs then
kills the draft buffer and deletes the draft message.

@node Moving Mail, Searching, Draft Editing, Using MH-E
@section Moving Your Mail Around

@cindex processing mail

This section covers how messages and folders can be moved about or
manipulated. Messages may be incorporated into your @file{+inbox},
deleted, and refiled. Messages containing @command{shar} or
@command{uuencode} output can be stored. Folders can be visited, sorted,
packed, or deleted. Here's a list of the available commands to do
these things:

@c Stephen thinks that ? should be documented here, since it also shows
@c which folders a message will be refiled to. XXX

@table @kbd
@item i
Incorporate new mail into folder (@code{mh-inc-folder}).

@item d
Delete message (@code{mh-delete-msg}).

@item C-d
Delete message, don't move to next message
(@code{mh-delete-msg-no-motion}).

@item F s
Find messages that meet search criteria (@code{mh-search-folder}).

@item o
Output (refile) message to folder (@code{mh-refile-msg}).

@item c
Copy message to folder (@code{mh-copy-msg}).

@item C-o
Output (write) message to file (@code{mh-write-msg-to-file}).

@item !
Repeat last output command (@code{mh-refile-or-write-again}).

@item l
Print message with @command{lpr} (@code{mh-print-msg}).

@item |
Pipe message through shell command (@code{mh-pipe-msg}).

@item X s
Unpack message created with @command{uudecode} or @command{shar}
(@code{mh-store-msg}).

@item F l
List all folders (@code{mh-list-folders}).

@item F v
Visit folder (@code{mh-visit-folder}).

@item F r
Regenerate scan lines (@code{mh-rescan-folder}).

@item M-x mh-sort-folder
Sort folder.

@item F p
Pack folder (@code{mh-pack-folder}).

@item F k
Remove folder (@code{mh-kill-folder}).

@item x
Execute pending refiles and deletes (@code{mh-execute-commands}).

@item u
Undo pending refile or delete (@code{mh-undo}).

@item F u
Undo all pending refiles and deletes (@code{mh-undo-folder}).

@item q
Quit (@code{mh-quit}).
@end table

@cindex processing mail

If you change the name of some of the MH programs or have your own
printing programs, the following variables can help you.

@table @code
@item mh-inc-prog
Program to incorporate mail (default: @samp{"inc"}).

@item mh-inc-folder-hook
Functions to run when incorporating mail (default: @code{nil}).

@item mh-delete-msg-hook
Functions to run when deleting messages (default: @code{nil}).

@item mh-print-background
Print in foreground or background (default: @code{nil}).

@item mh-lpr-command-format
Command used to print (default: @samp{"lpr -J '%s'"}).

@item mh-default-folder-for-message-function
Function to generate a default folder (default: @code{nil}).

@item mh-auto-folder-collect
Collect folder names in background at startup (default: @code{t}).

@item mh-recursive-folders
Collect nested folders (default: @code{nil}).

@item mh-refile-msg-hook
Functions to run when refiling message (default: @code{nil}).

@item mh-store-default-directory
Default directory for storing files created by @command{uuencode} or
@command{shar} (default: @code{nil}).

@item mh-sortm-args
Additional arguments for @command{sortm} (default: @code{nil}).

@item mh-scan-prog
Program to scan messages (default: @samp{"scan"}).

@item mh-before-quit-hook
Functions to run before quitting (default: @code{nil}). See also
@code{mh-quit-hook}.

@item mh-quit-hook
Functions to run after quitting (default: @code{nil}). See also
@code{mh-before-quit-hook}.
@end table

The functions and variables introduced here are explained in more
detail in the following sections.

@menu
* Incorporating::               
* Deleting::                    
* Organizing::                  
* Printing::                    
* Files and Pipes::             
* Scan Line Formats::           
* Finishing Up::                
@end menu

@node Incorporating, Deleting, Moving Mail, Moving Mail
@subsection Incorporating Your Mail

@cindex incorporating
@findex @code{mh-inc-folder}

If at any time you receive new mail, incorporate the new mail into
your @samp{+inbox} buffer with @kbd{i} (@code{mh-inc-folder}). Note
that @kbd{i} will display the @samp{+inbox} buffer, even if there
isn't any new mail. You can incorporate mail from any file into the
current folder by specifying a prefix argument; you'll be prompted for
the name of the file to use (for example, @kbd{C-u i ~/mbox
@key{RET}}).

@cindex Emacs, notification of new mail
@cindex notification of new mail
@cindex new mail
@cindex @file{.emacs}
@cindex files, @file{.emacs}

Emacs can notify you when you have new mail by displaying @samp{Mail}
in the mode line. To enable this behavior, and to have a clock in the
mode line besides, add the following to @file{~/.emacs}:

@findex @code{display-time}

@lisp
(display-time)
@end lisp

@cindex incorporating
@vindex @code{mh-inc-prog}
@cindex @command{inc}
@cindex MH commands, @command{inc}
@vindex @code{mh-progs}
@vindex @code{mh-scan-prog}

The name of the program that incorporates new mail is stored in
@code{mh-inc-prog}; it is @samp{"inc"} by default. This program
generates a one-line summary for each of the new messages. Unless it
is an absolute pathname, the file is assumed to be in the
@code{mh-progs} directory. You may also link a file to @command{inc} that
uses a different format (see @samp{mh-profile}(5), and sections
@uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/reapre.htm, Reading Mail: inc show next
prev} and @uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/mhstr.htm, MH Format Strings} in
the MH book). You'll then need
to modify several variables appropriately; see @ref{Scan Line Formats}
below.

@vindex @code{mh-inc-folder-hook}

You can set the hook @code{mh-inc-folder-hook}, which is called after
new mail is incorporated by the @kbd{i} (@code{mh-inc-folder})
command. A good use of this hook is to rescan the whole folder either
after running @kbd{M-x mh-rmail} the first time or when you've changed
the message numbers from outside of MH-E.

@findex @code{mh-execute-commands}
@findex @code{mh-rescan-folder}, example
@findex @code{mh-show}, example
@vindex @code{mh-inc-folder-hook}, example

@lisp
@group
(defun my-mh-inc-folder-hook ()
  "Hook to rescan folder after incorporating mail."
  (if (buffer-modified-p)            ; @r{if outstanding refiles and deletes,}
      (mh-execute-commands))         ;   @r{carry them out}
  (mh-rescan-folder)                 ; @r{synchronize with +inbox}
  (mh-show))                         ; @r{show the current message}

(add-hook 'mh-inc-folder-hook 'my-mh-inc-folder-hook)

@i{Rescan folder after incorporating new mail via mh-inc-folder-hook}

@end group
@end lisp

@node Deleting, Organizing, Incorporating, Moving Mail
@subsection Deleting Your Mail

@cindex deleting
@findex @code{mh-delete-msg}
@findex @code{mh-delete-msg-no-motion}

To mark a message for deletion, use the @kbd{d} (@code{mh-delete-msg})
command. A @samp{D} is placed by the message in the scan window, and
the next undeleted message is displayed. If the previous command had
been @kbd{p}, then the next message displayed is the first undeleted
message previous to the message just deleted. Use @kbd{n} to force
subsequent @kbd{d} commands to move forward to the next undeleted
message after deleting the message under the cursor.

If you specify a prefix argument, you will be prompted for a sequence
(@pxref{Sequences}) to delete (for example, @kbd{C-u d frombob RET}).
The @kbd{x} command actually carries out the deletion
(@pxref{Finishing Up}). @kbd{C-d} (@code{mh-delete-msg-no-motion})
marks the message for deletion but leaves the cursor at the current
message in case you wish to perform other operations on the message.

@cindex deleting
@vindex @code{mh-delete-msg-hook}

The hook @code{mh-delete-msg-hook} is called after you mark a message
for deletion. For example, the current maintainer of MH-E used this
once when he kept statistics on his mail usage.

@node Organizing, Printing, Deleting, Moving Mail
@subsection Organizing Your Mail with Folders

@cindex using folders
@cindex @command{folder}
@cindex MH commands, @command{folder}
@cindex @command{refile}
@cindex MH commands, @command{refile}
@findex @code{mh-refile-msg}

MH-E has analogies for each of the MH @command{folder} and @command{refile}
commands. @footnote{See the sections
@uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/fol.htm#Youfol, Your Current Folder:
folder} and @uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/fol.htm#Movref, Moving and
Linking Messages: refile} in the MH book.} To refile a message in
another folder, use the @kbd{o}
(@code{mh-refile-msg}) (mnemonic: ``output'') command. You are
prompted for the folder name.

@findex @code{mh-refile-or-write-again}

If you are refiling several messages into the same folder, you can use
the @kbd{!} (@code{mh-refile-or-write-again}) command to repeat the
last refile or write (see the description of @kbd{C-o} in @ref{Files
and Pipes}). Or, place the messages into a sequence (@ref{Sequences})
and specify a prefix argument to @kbd{o}, in which case you'll be
prompted for the name of the sequence (for example, @kbd{C-u o search
RET}).

@findex @code{mh-copy-msg}

If you wish to copy a message to another folder, you can use the
@kbd{c} (@code{mh-copy-msg}) command (see the @option{-link} argument to
@command{refile}(1)). You are prompted for a folder, and you can specify
a prefix argument if you want to copy a sequence into another folder.
In this case, you are then prompted for the sequence. Note that unlike
the @kbd{o} command, the copy takes place immediately. The original
copy remains in the current folder.

@findex @code{mh-visit-folder}

When you want to read the messages that you have refiled into folders,
use the @kbd{F v} (@code{mh-visit-folder}) command to visit the
folder. You are prompted for the folder name.

@findex @code{mh-list-folders}
@findex @code{mh-kill-folder}
@findex @code{mh-visit-folder}
@findex @code{mh-sort-folder}
@findex @code{mh-pack-folder}
@findex @code{mh-rescan-folder}

Other commands you can perform on folders include: @kbd{F l}
(@code{mh-list-folders}), to list all the folders in your mail
directory; @kbd{F k} (@code{mh-kill-folder}), to remove a folder;
@kbd{M-x mh-sort-folder}, to sort the messages by date (see
@command{sortm}(1) to see how to sort by other criteria); @kbd{F p}
(@code{mh-pack-folder}), to pack a folder, removing gaps from the
numbering sequence; and @kbd{F r} (@code{mh-rescan-folder}), to rescan
the folder, which is useful to grab all messages in your @samp{+inbox}
after processing your new mail for the first time. If you don't want
to rescan the entire folder, give @kbd{F r} or @kbd{F p} a prefix
argument and you'll be prompted for a range of messages to display
(for instance, @kbd{C-u F r last:50 RET}).

@cindex using folders
@vindex @code{mh-recursive-folders}
@vindex @code{mh-auto-folder-collect}

By default, operations on folders work only one level at a time. Set
@code{mh-recursive-folders} to non-@code{nil} to operate on all
folders. This mostly means that you'll be able to see all your folders
when you press @key{TAB} when prompted for a folder name. The variable
@code{mh-auto-folder-collect} is normally turned on to generate a list
of folder names in the background as soon as MH-E is loaded.
Otherwise, the list is generated when you need a folder name the first
time (as with @kbd{o} (@code{mh-refile-msg})). If you have a lot of
folders and you have @code{mh-recursive-folders} set, this could take
a while, which is why it's nice to do the folder collection in the
background.

@vindex @code{mh-default-folder-for-message-function}
@findex @code{mh-refile-msg}
@findex @code{mh-to-fcc}
@cindex @file{.emacs}
@cindex files, @file{.emacs}

The function @code{mh-default-folder-for-message-function} is used by
@kbd{o} (@code{mh-refile-msg}) and @kbd{C-c C-f C-f}
(@code{mh-to-fcc}) to generate a default folder. The generated folder
name should be a string with a @samp{+} before it. For each of my
correspondents, I use the same name for both an alias and a folder.
So, I wrote a function that takes the address in the @samp{From:}
header field, finds it in my alias file, and returns the alias, which
is used as a default folder name. This is the most complicated example
given here, and it demonstrates several features of Emacs Lisp
programming. You should be able to drop this into @file{~/.emacs},
however. If you use this to store messages in a subfolder of your Mail
directory, you can modify the line that starts @samp{(format +%s...}
and insert your subfolder after the folder symbol @samp{+}.
@c Note for me: if I insert a new version, don't forget to remove the
@c "a/" from the folder name.

@iftex
@filbreak
@end iftex

@vindex @code{mh-default-folder-for-message-function}, example
@vindex @code{mh-user-path}, example

@lisp
@group
(defun my-mh-folder-from-address ()
  "Determine folder name from address.
Takes the address in the From: header field, and returns its
corresponding alias from the user's personal aliases file. Returns
@code{nil} if the address was not found."
  (require 'rfc822)                         ; @r{for the rfc822 functions}
  (search-forward-regexp "^From: \\(.*\\)") ; @r{grab header field contents}
  (save-excursion                     ; @r{save state}
    (let ((addr (car (rfc822-addresses  ; @r{get address}
                      (buffer-substring (match-beginning 1)
                                        (match-end 1)))))
          (buffer (get-buffer-create " *temp*")) ; @r{set local variables}
          folder)
      (set-buffer buffer)             ; @r{jump to temporary buffer}
      (unwind-protect                 ; @r{run kill-buffer when done}
          (progn                      ; @r{function grouping construct}
            (insert-file-contents (expand-file-name "aliases"
                                                    mh-user-path))
            (goto-char (point-min))   ; @r{grab aliases file and go to start}
            (setq folder
                  ;; @r{Search for the given address, even commented-out}
                  ;; @r{addresses are found!}
                  ;; @r{The function search-forward-regexp sets values that are}
                  ;; @r{later used by match-beginning and match-end.}
                  (if (search-forward-regexp (format "^;*\\(.*\\):.*%s"
                                                     addr) nil t)
                      ;; @r{NOTE WELL: this is what the return value looks like.}
                      ;; @r{You can modify the format string to match your own}
                      ;; @r{Mail hierarchy.}
                      (format "+%s" (buffer-substring 
                                     (match-beginning 1)
                                     (match-end 1))))))
        (kill-buffer buffer))          ; @r{get rid of our temporary buffer}
      folder)))                        ; @r{function's return value}

(setq mh-default-folder-for-message-function 'my-mh-folder-from-address)

@i{Creating useful default folder for refiling via mh-default-folder-for-message-function}

@end group
@end lisp

@vindex @code{mh-refile-msg-hook}

The hook @code{mh-refile-msg-hook} is called after a message is marked
to be refiled.

@vindex @code{mh-sortm-args}
@cindex @command{sortm}
@cindex MH commands, @command{sortm}
@findex @code{mh-sort-folder}
@cindex MH profile components, @samp{sortm}
@cindex @file{.mh_profile}
@cindex files, @file{.mh_profile}

The variable @code{mh-sortm-args} holds extra arguments to pass on to
the @command{sortm} command. @footnote{See the section
@uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/sorsor.htm, Sorting Messages: sortm} in the
MH book.} Note: this variable is only consulted when a
prefix argument is given to @kbd{M-x mh-sort-folder}. It is used to
override any arguments given in a @samp{sortm:} entry in your MH
profile (@file{~/.mh_profile}).

@node Printing, Files and Pipes, Organizing, Moving Mail
@subsection Printing Your Mail

@cindex printing
@cindex @command{mhl}
@cindex MH commands, @command{mhl}
@cindex @command{lpr}
@cindex Unix commands, @command{lpr}
@findex @code{mh-print-msg}

Printing mail is simple. Enter @kbd{l} (@code{mh-print-msg}) (for
@i{l}ine printer or @i{l}pr). The message is formatted with @command{mhl}
@footnote{See the section @uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/shomes.htm#Usisho, Using
mhl} in the MH book.}
and printed with the @command{lpr} command. You can print all the
messages in a sequence by specifying a prefix argument, in which case
you are prompted for the name of the sequence (as in @kbd{C-u l
frombob RET}).

@cindex printing
@vindex @code{mh-print-background}
@vindex @code{mh-lpr-command-format}
@cindex @command{lpr}
@cindex Unix commands, @command{lpr}

Normally messages are printed in the foreground. If this is slow on
your system, you may elect to set @code{mh-print-background} to
non-@code{nil} to print in the background. If you do this, do not
delete the message until it is printed or else the output may be
truncated. The variable @code{mh-lpr-command-format} controls how the
printing is actually done. The string can contain one escape,
@samp{%s}, which is filled with the name of the folder and the message
number and is useful for print job names. As an example, the default
is @samp{"lpr -J '%s'"}.

@node Files and Pipes, Scan Line Formats, Printing, Moving Mail
@subsection Files and Pipes

@cindex using files
@cindex using pipes
@findex @code{mh-write-msg-to-file}

MH-E does offer a couple of commands that are not a part of MH@. The
first one, @kbd{C-o} (@code{mh-write-msg-to-file}), writes a message
to a file (think of the @kbd{o} as in "output"). You are prompted for
the filename. If the file already exists, the message is appended to
it. You can also write the message to the file without the header by
specifying a prefix argument (such as @kbd{C-u C-o /tmp/foobar RET}).
Subsequent writes to the same file can be made with the @kbd{!}
command.

@findex @code{mh-pipe-msg}

You can also pipe the message through a Unix shell command with the
@kbd{|} (@code{mh-pipe-msg}) command. You are prompted for the Unix
command through which you wish to run your message. If you give an
argument to this command, the message header is included in the text
passed to the command (the contrived example @kbd{C-u | lpr} would be
done with the @kbd{l} command instead).

@cindex @command{shar}
@cindex Unix commands, @command{shar}
@cindex @command{uuencode}
@cindex Unix commands, @command{uuencode}
@findex @code{mh-store-msg}

If the message is a shell archive @command{shar} or has been run through
@command{uuencode} use @kbd{X s} (@code{mh-store-msg}) to extract the
body of the message. The default directory for extraction is the
current directory, and you have a chance to specify a different
extraction directory. The next time you use this command, the default
directory is the last directory you used.

@cindex using files
@cindex using pipes
@findex @code{mh-store-msg}
@vindex @code{mh-store-default-directory}

The initial directory for the @code{mh-store-msg} command is held in
@code{mh-store-default-directory}. Since I almost always run
@code{mh-store-msg} on sources, I set it to my personal source
directory like this:

@vindex @code{mh-store-default-directory}, example

@lisp
(setq mh-store-default-directory (expand-file-name "~/src/"))
@end lisp

@findex @code{mh-store-buffer}
@cindex @command{uuencode}
@cindex Unix commands, @command{uuencode}
@cindex @command{shar}
@cindex Unix commands, @command{shar}

Subsequent incarnations of @code{mh-store-msg} offer the last
directory used as the default. By the way, @code{mh-store-msg} calls
the Emacs Lisp function @code{mh-store-buffer}. I mention this because
you can use it directly if you're editing a buffer that contains a
file that has been run through @command{uuencode} or @command{shar}. For
example, you can extract the contents of the current buffer in your
home directory by typing @kbd{M-x mh-store-buffer @key{RET} ~
@key{RET}}.

@node Scan Line Formats, Finishing Up, Files and Pipes, Moving Mail
@subsection Scan Line Formats

@vindex @code{mh-scan-prog}
@cindex @command{scan}
@cindex MH commands, @command{scan}
@vindex @code{mh-progs}

The name of the program that generates a listing of one line per
message is held in @code{mh-scan-prog} (default: @samp{"scan"}).
Unless this variable contains an absolute pathname, it is assumed to
be in the @code{mh-progs} directory. You may link another program to
@command{scan} (see @samp{mh-profile}(5)) to produce a different type
of listing. @footnote{See the section @*
@uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/faswsprs.htm, Find and Specify with scan
pick Ranges Sequences} in the MH book.}

If you change the format of the scan lines you'll need to tell MH-E
how to parse the new format. As you see, quite a lot of variables are
involved to do that. The first variable has to do with pruning out
garbage.

@table @code
@item mh-valid-scan-line
@vindex @code{mh-valid-scan-line}
@cindex @command{inc}
@cindex MH commands, @command{inc}
@cindex @command{scan}
@cindex MH commands, @command{scan}
This regular expression describes a valid scan line. This is used to
eliminate error messages that are occasionally produced by @command{inc}
@footnote{See the section @uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/reapre.htm, Reading Mail:
inc show next prev} in the MH book.}
or @command{scan} (default: @samp{"^ *[0-9]"}).
@end table

Next, two variables control how the message numbers are parsed.

@table @code

@item mh-msg-number-regexp
@vindex @code{mh-msg-number-regexp}
This regular expression is used to extract the message number from a
scan line. Note that the message number must be placed in quoted
parentheses, (\\(...\\)), as in the default of @w{@samp{"^
*\\([0-9]+\\)"}}.

@item mh-msg-search-regexp
@vindex @code{mh-msg-search-regexp}
Given a message number (which is inserted in @samp{%d}), this regular
expression will match the scan line that it represents (default:
@samp{"^[^0-9]*%d[^0-9]"}).
@end table

Finally, there are a slew of variables that control how MH-E marks up
the scan lines.

@table @code
@item mh-cmd-note
@vindex @code{mh-cmd-note}
Number of characters to skip over before inserting notation (default:
4). Note how it relates to the following regular expressions.

@item mh-deleted-msg-regexp
@vindex @code{mh-deleted-msg-regexp}
This regular expression describes deleted messages (default:
@samp{"^....D"}). See also @code{mh-note-deleted}.

@item mh-refiled-msg-regexp
@vindex @code{mh-refiled-msg-regexp}
This regular expression describes refiled messages (default:
@samp{"^....\\^"}). See also @code{mh-note-refiled}.

@item mh-cur-scan-msg-regexp
@vindex @code{mh-cur-scan-msg-regexp}
This regular expression matches the current message (default:
@samp{"^....\\+"}). See also @code{mh-note-cur}.

@item mh-good-msg-regexp
@vindex @code{mh-good-msg-regexp}
This regular expression describes which messages should be shown when
MH-E goes to the next or previous message. Normally, deleted or
refiled messages are skipped over (default: @samp{"^....[^D^]"}).

@item mh-note-deleted
@vindex @code{mh-note-deleted}
Messages that have been deleted to are marked by this string (default:
@samp{"D"}). See also @code{mh-deleted-msg-regexp}.

@item mh-note-refiled
@vindex @code{mh-note-refiled}
Messages that have been refiled are marked by this string (default:
@samp{"^"}). See also @code{mh-refiled-msg-regexp}.

@item mh-note-copied
@vindex @code{mh-note-copied}
Messages that have been copied are marked by this string (default:
@samp{"C"}).

@item mh-note-cur
@vindex @code{mh-note-cur}
The current message (in MH, not in MH-E) is marked by this string
(default: @samp{"+"}). See also @code{mh-cur-scan-msg-regexp}.

@item mh-note-repl
@vindex @code{mh-note-repl}
Messages that have been replied to are marked by this string (default:
@samp{"-"}).

@item mh-note-forw
@vindex @code{mh-note-forw}
Messages that have been forwarded are marked by this string (default:
@samp{"F"}).

@item mh-note-dist
@vindex @code{mh-note-dist}
Messages that have been redistributed are marked by this string
(default: @samp{"R"}).

@item mh-note-printed
@vindex @code{mh-note-printed}
Messages that have been printed are marked by this string (default:
@samp{"P"}).

@item mh-note-seq
@vindex @code{mh-note-seq}
Messages in a sequence are marked by this string (default:
@samp{"%"}).
@end table

@node Finishing Up,  , Scan Line Formats, Moving Mail
@subsection Finishing Up

@cindex expunging refiles and deletes
@findex @code{mh-undo}
@findex @code{mh-undo-folder}

If you've deleted a message or refiled it, but changed your mind, you
can cancel the action before you've executed it. Use @kbd{u}
(@code{mh-undo}) to undo a refile on or deletion of a single message.
You can also undo refiles and deletes for messages that belong to a
given sequence by specifying a prefix argument. You'll be prompted for
the name of the sequence (as in @kbd{C-u u frombob RET}).
Alternatively, you can use @kbd{F u} (@code{mh-undo-folder}) to undo
all refiles or deletes in the current folder.

@findex @code{mh-execute-commands}

If you've marked messages to be deleted or refiled and you want to go
ahead and delete or refile the messages, use @kbd{x}
(@code{mh-execute-commands}). Many MH-E commands that may affect the
numbering of the messages (such as @kbd{F r} or @kbd{F p}) will ask if
you want to process refiles or deletes first and then either run
@kbd{x} for you or undo the pending refiles and deletes, which are
lost.

@findex @code{mh-rmail}
@findex @code{mh-quit}

When you want to quit using MH-E and go back to editing, you can use
the @kbd{q} (@code{mh-quit}) command. This buries the buffers of the
current MH-E folder and restores the buffers that were present when
you first ran @kbd{M-x mh-rmail}. You can later restore your MH-E
session by selecting the @samp{+inbox} buffer or by running @kbd{M-x
mh-rmail} again.

@cindex quitting
@vindex @code{mh-before-quit-hook}
@vindex @code{mh-quit-hook}
@findex @code{mh-execute-commands}

The two variables @code{mh-before-quit-hook} and @code{mh-quit-hook}
are called by @kbd{q} (@code{mh-quit}). The former one is called
before the quit occurs, so you might use it to perform any MH-E
operations; you could perform some query and abort the quit or call
@code{mh-execute-commands}, for example. The latter is not run in an
MH-E context, so you might use it to modify the window setup. For
example, if the window configuration was saved as in the example in
section @ref{Reading Mail}, you would also want to set
@code{mh-quit-hook} to the following:

@vindex @code{mh-quit-hook}, example

@lisp
@group
(defun my-mh-quit-hook ()
  "Clear window configuration variables as the MH window is gone."
  (setq my-mh-screen-saved nil)
  (setq my-mh-screen nil)
  (if my-normal-screen
      (set-window-configuration my-normal-screen))
  (setq my-normal-screen nil))

@i{Clean up window setup in mh-quit-hook}

@end group
@end lisp

@node Searching, Sequences, Moving Mail, Using MH-E
@section Searching Through Messages

@cindex searching
@findex @code{mh-search-folder}

You can search a folder for messages to or from a particular person or
about a particular subject. In fact, you can also search for messages
containing selected strings in any arbitrary header field or any
string found within the messages. Use the @kbd{F s}
(@code{mh-search-folder}) command. You are first prompted for the name
of the folder to search and then placed in the following buffer in
MH-Pick mode:

@example
@group
@cartouche
From: #
To:
Cc:
Date:
Subject:
--------









--:**  pick-pattern   (MH-Pick)--L1--All-------------------------------

@end cartouche
@i{Pick window}
@end group
@end example

@cindex @command{pick}
@cindex MH commands, @command{pick}

Edit this template by entering your search criteria in an appropriate
header field that is already there, or create a new field yourself. If
the string you're looking for could be anywhere in a message, then
place the string underneath the row of dashes. The @kbd{F s} command
uses the MH command @command{pick} to do the real work, so read
@command{pick}(1) or the section @uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/finpic.htm,
Finding Messages with pick} in the MH book to find out more about how
to enter the criteria.

There are no semantics associated with the search criteria---they are
simply treated as strings. Case is ignored when all lowercase is used,
and regular expressions (a la @command{ed}) are available. It is all
right to specify several search criteria. What happens then is that a
logical @emph{and} of the various fields is performed. If you prefer a
logical @emph{or} operation, run @kbd{F s} multiple times.

As an example, let's say that we want to find messages from Ginnean
about horseback riding in the Kosciusko National Park (Australia)
during January, 1994. Normally we would start with a broad search and
narrow it down if necessary to produce a manageable amount of data,
but we'll cut to the chase and create a fairly restrictive set of
criteria as follows:

@example
@group
From: ginnean
To:
Cc:
Date: Jan 1994
Subject: horse.*kosciusko
--------
@end group
@end example

@findex @code{mh-to-field}

As with MH-Letter mode, MH-Pick provides commands like @kbd{C-c C-f
C-t} to help you fill in the blanks.

@table @kbd
@item C-c C-f C-t
Move to @samp{To:} header field (@code{mh-to-field}).

@item C-c C-f C-c
Move to @samp{cc:} header field (@code{mh-to-field}).

@item C-c C-f C-s
Move to @samp{Subject:} header field (@code{mh-to-field}).

@item C-c C-f C-f
Move to @samp{From:} header field (@code{mh-to-field}).

@item C-c C-f C-b
Move to @samp{Bcc:} header field (@code{mh-to-field}).

@item C-c C-f C-f
Move to @samp{Fcc:} header field (@code{mh-to-field}).

@item C-c C-f C-d
Move to @samp{Dcc:} header field (@code{mh-to-field}).

@item C-c C-c
Execute the search (@code{mh-do-pick-search}).
@end table

@findex @code{mh-do-pick-search}

To perform the search, type @kbd{C-c C-c} (@code{mh-do-pick-search}).
The selected messages are placed in the @i{search} sequence, which you
can use later in forwarding (@pxref{Forwarding}), printing
(@pxref{Printing}), or narrowing your field of view
(@pxref{Sequences}). Subsequent searches are appended to the
@i{search} sequence. If, however, you wish to start with a clean
slate, first delete the @i{search} sequence (how to do this is
discussed in @ref{Sequences}).

@cindex MH-Folder mode
@cindex modes, MH-Folder

If you're searching in a folder that is already displayed in a
MH-Folder buffer, only those messages contained in the buffer are used
for the search. Therefore, if you want to search in all messages,
first kill the folder's buffer with @kbd{C-x k} or scan the entire
folder with @kbd{F r}.

@cindex searching
@vindex @code{mh-pick-mode-hook}
@vindex @code{mh-partial-folder-mode-line-annotation}

If you find that you do the same thing over and over when editing the
search template, you may wish to bind some shortcuts to keys. This can
be done with the variable @code{mh-pick-mode-hook}, which is called
when @kbd{F s} (@code{mh-search-folder}) is run on a new pattern.

The string @code{mh-partial-folder-mode-line-annotation} is used to
annotate the mode line when only a portion of the folder is shown. For
example, this will be displayed after running @kbd{F s}
(@code{mh-search-folder}) to list messages based on some search
criteria (see @ref{Searching}). The default annotation of
@samp{"select"} yields a mode line that looks like:

@example
--%%-@{+inbox/select@} 2 msgs (2-3)      (MH-Folder)--All-----------------
@end example

@node Sequences, Miscellaneous, Searching, Using MH-E
@section Using Sequences

@cindex sequences

For the whole scoop on MH sequences, refer to @samp{mh-sequence}(5).
As you've read, several of the MH-E commands can operate on a
sequence, which is a shorthand for a range or group of messages. For
example, you might want to forward several messages to a friend or
colleague. Here's how to manipulate sequences.

@table @kbd
@item S p
Put message in a sequence (@code{mh-put-msg-in-seq}).

@item ?
Display sequences that message belongs to (@code{mh-msg-is-in-seq}).

@item S l
List all sequences in folder (@code{mh-list-sequences}).

@item S d
Remove message from sequence (@code{mh-delete-msg-from-seq}).

@item S k
Delete sequence (@code{mh-delete-seq}).

@item S n
Restrict display to messages in sequence (@code{mh-narrow-to-seq}).

@item S w
Remove restriction; display all messages (@code{mh-widen}).

@item M-x mh-update-sequences
Push MH-E's state out to MH@.
@end table

@cindex @command{pick}
@cindex MH commands, @command{pick}
@findex @code{mh-put-msg-in-seq}

To place a message in a sequence, use @kbd{S p}
(@code{mh-put-msg-in-seq}) to do it manually, or use the MH command
@command{pick} @footnote{See the section @uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/finpic.htm,
Finding Messages with pick} in the MH book.} or the MH-E version of
@command{pick} (@ref{Searching}) which
create a sequence automatically. Give @kbd{S p} a prefix argument and
you can add all the messages in one sequence to another sequence (for
example, @kbd{C-u S p SourceSequence RET DestSequence RET}).

@cindex MH-Folder mode
@cindex modes, MH-Folder
@findex @code{mh-narrow-to-seq}
@findex @code{mh-widen}

Once you've placed some messages in a sequence, you may wish to narrow
the field of view to just those messages in the sequence you've
created. To do this, use @kbd{S n} (@code{mh-narrow-to-seq}). You
are prompted for the name of the sequence. What this does is show only
those messages that are in the selected sequence in the MH-Folder
buffer. In addition, it limits further MH-E searches to just those
messages. When you want to widen the view to all your messages again,
use @kbd{S w} (@code{mh-widen}).

@findex @code{mh-msg-is-in-seq}
@findex @code{mh-list-sequences}

You can see which sequences a message is in with the @kbd{S s}
(@code{mh-msg-is-in-seq}) command.
@c Doesn't work:
@c use a prefix argument to query a
@c message other than the current one (as in @kbd{C-u ? 42 RET}). XXX
Or, you can list all sequences in a selected folder (default is
current folder) with @kbd{S l} (@code{mh-list-sequences}).

@findex @code{mh-delete-msg-from-seq}
@findex @code{mh-delete-seq}

If you want to remove a message from a sequence, use @kbd{S d}
(@code{mh-delete-msg-from-seq}), and if you want to delete an entire
sequence, use @kbd{S k} (@code{mh-delete-seq}). In the latter case you
are prompted for the sequence to delete. Note that this deletes only
the sequence, not the messages in the sequence. If you want to delete
the messages, use @kbd{C-u d} (see @ref{Deleting} above).

@cindex @command{mark}
@cindex MH commands, @command{mark}

@findex @code{mh-update-sequences}

Two sequences are maintained internally by MH-E and pushed out to MH
when you type either the @kbd{x} or @kbd{q} command. They are the
sequence specified by your @samp{Unseen-Sequence:} profile entry and
@i{cur}. However, you can also just update MH's state with the command
@kbd{M-x mh-update-sequences}. See @ref{Viewing} for an example of how
this command might be used.

With the exceptions of @kbd{S n} and @kbd{S w}, the underlying MH
command dealing with sequences is @command{mark}. @footnote{See the
section @uref{@value{MH-BOOK-HOME}/mmbwm.htm, Make Message Bookmarks
with mark} in the MH book.}

@node Miscellaneous,  , Sequences, Using MH-E
@section Miscellaneous Commands

@findex @code{mh-version}

One other command worth noting is @kbd{M-x mh-version}. You can
compare the version this command prints to the latest release
(@pxref{Getting MH-E}). The output of @kbd{M-x mh-version} should
always be included with any bug report you submit (@pxref{Bug
Reports}).

@node Odds and Ends, History, Using MH-E, Top
@appendix Odds and Ends

This appendix covers a few topics that don't fit elsewhere. Here I
tell you how to report bugs and how to get on the MH-E mailing list. I
also point out some additional sources of information.

@menu
* Bug Reports::                 
* Mailing List::                
* MH FAQ::                      
* Getting MH-E::                
@end menu

@node Bug Reports, Mailing List, Odds and Ends, Odds and Ends
@appendixsec Bug Reports

@cindex bugs
@cindex Wohler, Bill
@cindex SourceForge

The current maintainer of MH-E is Bill Wohler <@i{wohler@@newt.com}>.
Bug reports should be filed at
@uref{https://sourceforge.net/bugs/?group_id=13357, SourceForge}.
Please include the output of @kbd{M-x mh-version}
(@pxref{Miscellaneous}) in any bug report you send.

@node Mailing List, MH FAQ, Bug Reports, Odds and Ends
@appendixsec MH-E Mailing List

@cindex mailing list
@cindex SourceForge

There are actually several mailing lists for MH-E. They are
@i{mh-e-users@@lists.sourceforge.net},
@i{mh-e-announce@@lists.sourceforge.net}, and
@i{mh-e-devel@@lists.sourceforge.net}. You can subscribe or view the
archives at @uref{https://sourceforge.net/mail/?group_id=13357,
SourceForge}. Do not report bugs on these lists; please submit them
via SourceForge (@pxref{Bug Reports}).

@node MH FAQ, Getting MH-E, Mailing List, Odds and Ends
@appendixsec MH FAQ

@cindex MH FAQ
@cindex FAQ

An FAQ appears monthly in the newsgroup @samp{comp.mail.mh}. While
very little is there that deals with MH-E specifically, there is an
incredible wealth of material about MH itself which you will find
useful. The subject of the FAQ is @cite{MH Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ) with Answers}.

The FAQ is available via the World Wide Web (WWW) at
@uref{http://www.faqs.org/faqs/mail/mh-faq/part1/preamble.html, faqs.org}.

@node Getting MH-E,  , MH FAQ, Odds and Ends
@appendixsec Getting MH-E

@cindex obtaining MH-E

The version of MH-E in the current version of Emacs should be up to
date. It is most likely to be more up to date than the copy that comes
with the the MH distribution in @file{miscellany/mh-e}.

New MH-E releases will appear at @*
@uref{https://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=13357,
SourceForge} before they appear in an Emacs release. You can read the
release notes on that page to determine if the given release of MH-E
is already installed in your version of Emacs.

If you go this route, I suggest that you extract the files from
@file{mh-e-@var{m.n}.tgz} in the following fashion:

@example
@group
$ @kbd{cd}                                  # @r{Start in your home directory}
$ @kbd{mkdir lib lib/emacs}                 # @r{Create directory for MH-E}
$ @kbd{cd lib/emacs}
$ @kbd{zcat @var{path/to/}mh-e-@var{m.n}.tgz | tar xvf -}   # @r{Extract files}
@end group
@end example

@cindex @file{.emacs}
@cindex files, @file{.emacs}

To use these new files, add the following to @file{~/.emacs}:

@lisp
(setq load-path (cons (expand-file-name "~/lib/emacs") load-path))
@end lisp

@cindex news
@cindex files, @samp{MH-E-NEWS}

That's it! If you're already running Emacs, please quit that session
and start again to load in the new MH-E. Check that you're running the
new version with the command @kbd{M-x mh-version} after running any
MH-E command. The distribution comes with a file called
@file{MH-E-NEWS} so you can see what's new.

@node History, Copying, Odds and Ends, Top
@appendix History of MH-E

@cindex Gildea, Stephen
@cindex Larus, Jim
@cindex Reid, Brian
@cindex SourceForge
@cindex history of MH-E

MH-E was originally written by Brian Reid in 1983 and has changed
hands several times since then. Jim Larus wanted to do something
similar for GNU Emacs, and ended up completely rewriting it that same
year. In 1989, Stephen Gildea picked it up and added many
improvements. Bill Wohler then took over in 2000 and moved its
development to @uref{http://sourceforge.net/, SourceForge}.

@menu
* From Brian Reid::             
* From Jim Larus::              
* From Stephen Gildea::         
@end menu

@node From Brian Reid, From Jim Larus, History, History
@appendixsec From Brian Reid

@cindex Reid, Brian

One day in 1983 I got the flu and had to stay home from work for three
days with nothing to do. I used that time to write MHE@. The
fundamental idea behind MHE was that it was a ``puppeteer'' driving
the MH programs underneath it. MH had a model that the editor was
supposed to run as a subprocess of the mailer, which seemed to me at
the time to be the tail wagging the dog. So I turned it around and
made the editor drive the MH programs. I made sure that the UCI people
(who were maintaining MH at the time) took in my changes and made them
stick.

Today, I still use my own version of MHE because I don't at all like
the way that GNU MH-E works and I've never gotten to be good enough at
hacking Emacs Lisp to make GNU MH-E do what I want. The Gosling-emacs
version of MHE and the GNU Emacs version of MH-E have almost nothing
in common except similar names. They work differently, have different
conceptual models, and have different key bindings. @footnote{After
reading this article, I questioned Brian about his version of MHE, and
received some great ideas for improving MH-E such as a dired-like
method of selecting folders; and removing the prompting when sending
mail, filling in the blanks in the draft buffer instead. I passed them
on to Stephen Gildea, the current maintainer, and he was excited about
the ideas as well. Perhaps one day, MH-E will again resemble MHE,
although none of these ideas are manifest in Version 5.0.}

Brian Reid, June 1994

@node From Jim Larus, From Stephen Gildea, From Brian Reid, History
@appendixsec From Jim Larus

@cindex Larus, Jim

Brian Reid, while at CMU or shortly after going to Stanford wrote a
mail reading program called MHE for Gosling Emacs. It had much the
same structure as MH-E (i.e., invoked MH programs), though it was
simpler and the commands were slightly different. Unfortunately, I no
longer have a copy so the differences are lost in the mists of time.

In '82-83, I was working at BBN and wrote a lot of mlisp code in
Gosling Emacs to make it look more like Tennex Emacs. One of the
packages that I picked up and improved was Reid's mail system. In '83,
I went back to Berkeley. About that time, Stallman's first version of
GNU Emacs came out and people started to move to it from Gosling Emacs
(as I recall, the transition took a year or two). I decided to port
Reid's MHE and used the mlisp to Emacs Lisp translator that came with
GNU Emacs. It did a lousy job and the resulting code didn't work, so I
bit the bullet and rewrote the code by hand (it was a lot smaller and
simpler then, so it took only a day or two).

Soon after that, MH-E became part of the standard Emacs distribution
and suggestions kept dribbling in for improvements. MH-E soon reached
sufficient functionality to keep me happy, but I kept on improving it
because I was a graduate student with plenty of time on my hands and
it was more fun than my dissertation. In retrospect, the one thing
that I regret is not writing any documentation, which seriously
limited the use and appeal of the package.

@cindex @command{xmh}, in MH-E history

In '89, I came to Wisconsin as a professor and decided not to work on
MH-E. It was stable, except for minor bugs, and had enough
functionality, so I let it be for a few years. Stephen Gildea of BBN
began to pester me about the bugs, but I ignored them. In 1990, he
went off to the X Consortium, said good bye, and said that he would
now be using @command{xmh}. A few months later, he came back and said
that he couldn't stand @command{xmh} and could I put a few more bug fixes
into MH-E. At that point, I had no interest in fixing MH-E, so I gave
the responsibility of maintenance to him and he has done a fine job
since then.

Jim Larus, June 1994

@node From Stephen Gildea,  , From Jim Larus, History
@appendixsec From Stephen Gildea

@cindex Gildea, Stephen

In 1987 I went to work for Bolt Beranek and Newman, as Jim had before
me. In my previous job, I had been using RMAIL, but as my folders tend
to run large, I was frustrated with the speed of RMAIL@. However, I
stuck with it because I wanted the GNU Emacs interface. I am very
familiar and comfortable with the Emacs interface (with just a few
modifications of my own) and dislike having to use applications with
embedded editors; they never live up to Emacs.

MH is the mail reader of choice at BBN, so I converted to it. Since I
didn't want to give up using an Emacs interface, I started using MH-E.
As is my wont, I started hacking on it almost immediately. I first
used version 3.4m. One of the first features I added was to treat the
folder buffer as a file-visiting buffer: you could lock it, save it,
and be warned of unsaved changes when killing it. I also worked to
bring its functionality a little closer to RMAIL@. Jim Larus was very
cooperative about merging in my changes, and my efforts first appeared
in version 3.6, distributed with Emacs 18.52 in 1988. Next I decided
MH-E was too slow and optimized it a lot. Version, 3.7, distributed
with Emacs 18.56 in 1990, was noticeably faster.

When I moved to the X Consortium I became the first person there to
not use xmh. (There is now one other engineer there using MH-E.) About
this point I took over maintenance of MH-E from Jim and was finally
able to add some features Jim hadn't accepted, such as the backward
searching undo. My first release was 3.8 (Emacs 18.58) in 1992.

Now, in 1994, we see a flurry of releases, with both 4.0 and 5.0.
Version 4.0 added many new features, including background folder
collection and support for composing @sc{mime} messages. (Reading
@sc{mime} messages remains to be done, alas.) While writing this book,
Bill Wohler gave MH-E its closest examination ever, uncovering bugs
and inconsistencies that required a new major version to fix, and so
version 5 was released.

Stephen Gildea, June 1994

@node Copying, Command Index, History, Top
@appendix GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE

@center Version 2, June 1991

@display
Copyright @copyright{} 1989, 1991 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307  USA

Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies
of this license document, but changing it is not allowed.
@end display

@appendixsec Preamble

  The licenses for most software are designed to take away your
freedom to share and change it.  By contrast, the GNU General Public
License is intended to guarantee your freedom to share and change free
software---to make sure the software is free for all its users.  This
General Public License applies to most of the Free Software
Foundation's software and to any other program whose authors commit to
using it.  (Some other Free Software Foundation software is covered by
the GNU Library General Public License instead.)  You can apply it to
your programs, too.

  When we speak of free software, we are referring to freedom, not
price.  Our General Public Licenses are designed to make sure that you
have the freedom to distribute copies of free software (and charge for
this service if you wish), that you receive source code or can get it
if you want it, that you can change the software or use pieces of it
in new free programs; and that you know you can do these things.

  To protect your rights, we need to make restrictions that forbid
anyone to deny you these rights or to ask you to surrender the rights.
These restrictions translate to certain responsibilities for you if you
distribute copies of the software, or if you modify it.

  For example, if you distribute copies of such a program, whether
gratis or for a fee, you must give the recipients all the rights that
you have.  You must make sure that they, too, receive or can get the
source code.  And you must show them these terms so they know their
rights.

  We protect your rights with two steps: (1) copyright the software, and
(2) offer you this license which gives you legal permission to copy,
distribute and/or modify the software.

  Also, for each author's protection and ours, we want to make certain
that everyone understands that there is no warranty for this free
software.  If the software is modified by someone else and passed on, we
want its recipients to know that what they have is not the original, so
that any problems introduced by others will not reflect on the original
authors' reputations.

  Finally, any free program is threatened constantly by software
patents.  We wish to avoid the danger that redistributors of a free
program will individually obtain patent licenses, in effect making the
program proprietary.  To prevent this, we have made it clear that any
patent must be licensed for everyone's free use or not licensed at all.

  The precise terms and conditions for copying, distribution and
modification follow.

@iftex
@appendixsec TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR COPYING, DISTRIBUTION AND MODIFICATION
@end iftex
@ifinfo
@center TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR COPYING, DISTRIBUTION AND MODIFICATION
@end ifinfo

@enumerate 0
@item
This License applies to any program or other work which contains
a notice placed by the copyright holder saying it may be distributed
under the terms of this General Public License.  The ``Program,'' below,
refers to any such program or work, and a ``work based on the Program''
means either the Program or any derivative work under copyright law:
that is to say, a work containing the Program or a portion of it,
either verbatim or with modifications and/or translated into another
language.  (Hereinafter, translation is included without limitation in
the term ``modification.'')  Each licensee is addressed as ``you.''

Activities other than copying, distribution and modification are not
covered by this License; they are outside its scope.  The act of
running the Program is not restricted, and the output from the Program
is covered only if its contents constitute a work based on the
Program (independent of having been made by running the Program).
Whether that is true depends on what the Program does.

@item
You may copy and distribute verbatim copies of the Program's
source code as you receive it, in any medium, provided that you
conspicuously and appropriately publish on each copy an appropriate
copyright notice and disclaimer of warranty; keep intact all the
notices that refer to this License and to the absence of any warranty;
and give any other recipients of the Program a copy of this License
along with the Program.

You may charge a fee for the physical act of transferring a copy, and
you may at your option offer warranty protection in exchange for a fee.

@item
You may modify your copy or copies of the Program or any portion
of it, thus forming a work based on the Program, and copy and
distribute such modifications or work under the terms of Section 1
above, provided that you also meet all of these conditions:

@enumerate a
@item
You must cause the modified files to carry prominent notices
stating that you changed the files and the date of any change.

@item
You must cause any work that you distribute or publish, that in
whole or in part contains or is derived from the Program or any
part thereof, to be licensed as a whole at no charge to all third
parties under the terms of this License.

@item
If the modified program normally reads commands interactively
when run, you must cause it, when started running for such
interactive use in the most ordinary way, to print or display an
announcement including an appropriate copyright notice and a
notice that there is no warranty (or else, saying that you provide
a warranty) and that users may redistribute the program under
these conditions, and telling the user how to view a copy of this
License.  (Exception: if the Program itself is interactive but
does not normally print such an announcement, your work based on
the Program is not required to print an announcement.)
@end enumerate

These requirements apply to the modified work as a whole.  If
identifiable sections of that work are not derived from the Program,
and can be reasonably considered independent and separate works in
themselves, then this License, and its terms, do not apply to those
sections when you distribute them as separate works.  But when you
distribute the same sections as part of a whole which is a work based
on the Program, the distribution of the whole must be on the terms of
this License, whose permissions for other licensees extend to the
entire whole, and thus to each and every part regardless of who wrote it.

Thus, it is not the intent of this section to claim rights or contest
your rights to work written entirely by you; rather, the intent is to
exercise the right to control the distribution of derivative or
collective works based on the Program.

In addition, mere aggregation of another work not based on the Program
with the Program (or with a work based on the Program) on a volume of
a storage or distribution medium does not bring the other work under
the scope of this License.

@item
You may copy and distribute the Program (or a work based on it,
under Section 2) in object code or executable form under the terms of
Sections 1 and 2 above provided that you also do one of the following:

@enumerate a
@item
Accompany it with the complete corresponding machine-readable
source code, which must be distributed under the terms of Sections
1 and 2 above on a medium customarily used for software interchange; or,

@item
Accompany it with a written offer, valid for at least three
years, to give any third party, for a charge no more than your
cost of physically performing source distribution, a complete
machine-readable copy of the corresponding source code, to be
distributed under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above on a medium
customarily used for software interchange; or,

@item
Accompany it with the information you received as to the offer
to distribute corresponding source code.  (This alternative is
allowed only for noncommercial distribution and only if you
received the program in object code or executable form with such
an offer, in accord with Subsection b above.)
@end enumerate

The source code for a work means the preferred form of the work for
making modifications to it.  For an executable work, complete source
code means all the source code for all modules it contains, plus any
associated interface definition files, plus the scripts used to
control compilation and installation of the executable.  However, as a
special exception, the source code distributed need not include
anything that is normally distributed (in either source or binary
form) with the major components (compiler, kernel, and so on) of the
operating system on which the executable runs, unless that component
itself accompanies the executable.

If distribution of executable or object code is made by offering
access to copy from a designated place, then offering equivalent
access to copy the source code from the same place counts as
distribution of the source code, even though third parties are not
compelled to copy the source along with the object code.

@item
You may not copy, modify, sublicense, or distribute the Program
except as expressly provided under this License.  Any attempt
otherwise to copy, modify, sublicense or distribute the Program is
void, and will automatically terminate your rights under this License.
However, parties who have received copies, or rights, from you under
this License will not have their licenses terminated so long as such
parties remain in full compliance.

@item
You are not required to accept this License, since you have not
signed it.  However, nothing else grants you permission to modify or
distribute the Program or its derivative works.  These actions are
prohibited by law if you do not accept this License.  Therefore, by
modifying or distributing the Program (or any work based on the
Program), you indicate your acceptance of this License to do so, and
all its terms and conditions for copying, distributing or modifying
the Program or works based on it.

@item
Each time you redistribute the Program (or any work based on the
Program), the recipient automatically receives a license from the
original licensor to copy, distribute or modify the Program subject to
these terms and conditions.  You may not impose any further
restrictions on the recipients' exercise of the rights granted herein.
You are not responsible for enforcing compliance by third parties to
this License.

@item
If, as a consequence of a court judgment or allegation of patent
infringement or for any other reason (not limited to patent issues),
conditions are imposed on you (whether by court order, agreement or
otherwise) that contradict the conditions of this License, they do not
excuse you from the conditions of this License.  If you cannot
distribute so as to satisfy simultaneously your obligations under this
License and any other pertinent obligations, then as a consequence you
may not distribute the Program at all.  For example, if a patent
license would not permit royalty-free redistribution of the Program by
all those who receive copies directly or indirectly through you, then
the only way you could satisfy both it and this License would be to
refrain entirely from distribution of the Program.

If any portion of this section is held invalid or unenforceable under
any particular circumstance, the balance of the section is intended to
apply and the section as a whole is intended to apply in other
circumstances.

It is not the purpose of this section to induce you to infringe any
patents or other property right claims or to contest validity of any
such claims; this section has the sole purpose of protecting the
integrity of the free software distribution system, which is
implemented by public license practices.  Many people have made
generous contributions to the wide range of software distributed
through that system in reliance on consistent application of that
system; it is up to the author/donor to decide if he or she is willing
to distribute software through any other system and a licensee cannot
impose that choice.

This section is intended to make thoroughly clear what is believed to
be a consequence of the rest of this License.

@item
If the distribution and/or use of the Program is restricted in
certain countries either by patents or by copyrighted interfaces, the
original copyright holder who places the Program under this License
may add an explicit geographical distribution limitation excluding
those countries, so that distribution is permitted only in or among
countries not thus excluded.  In such case, this License incorporates
the limitation as if written in the body of this License.

@item
The Free Software Foundation may publish revised and/or new versions
of the General Public License from time to time.  Such new versions will
be similar in spirit to the present version, but may differ in detail to
address new problems or concerns.

Each version is given a distinguishing version number.  If the Program
specifies a version number of this License which applies to it and ``any
later version,'' you have the option of following the terms and conditions
either of that version or of any later version published by the Free
Software Foundation.  If the Program does not specify a version number of
this License, you may choose any version ever published by the Free Software
Foundation.

@item
If you wish to incorporate parts of the Program into other free
programs whose distribution conditions are different, write to the author
to ask for permission.  For software which is copyrighted by the Free
Software Foundation, write to the Free Software Foundation; we sometimes
make exceptions for this.  Our decision will be guided by the two goals
of preserving the free status of all derivatives of our free software and
of promoting the sharing and reuse of software generally.

@iftex
@heading NO WARRANTY
@end iftex
@ifinfo
@center NO WARRANTY
@end ifinfo

@item
BECAUSE THE PROGRAM IS LICENSED FREE OF CHARGE, THERE IS NO WARRANTY
FOR THE PROGRAM, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW@.  EXCEPT WHEN
OTHERWISE STATED IN WRITING THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND/OR OTHER PARTIES
PROVIDE THE PROGRAM ``AS IS'' WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED
OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE@.  THE ENTIRE RISK AS
TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE PROGRAM IS WITH YOU@.  SHOULD THE
PROGRAM PROVE DEFECTIVE, YOU ASSUME THE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING,
REPAIR OR CORRECTION.

@item
IN NO EVENT UNLESS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW OR AGREED TO IN WRITING
WILL ANY COPYRIGHT HOLDER, OR ANY OTHER PARTY WHO MAY MODIFY AND/OR
REDISTRIBUTE THE PROGRAM AS PERMITTED ABOVE, BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR DAMAGES,
INCLUDING ANY GENERAL, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING
OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PROGRAM (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED
TO LOSS OF DATA OR DATA BEING RENDERED INACCURATE OR LOSSES SUSTAINED BY
YOU OR THIRD PARTIES OR A FAILURE OF THE PROGRAM TO OPERATE WITH ANY OTHER
PROGRAMS), EVEN IF SUCH HOLDER OR OTHER PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
@end enumerate

@iftex
@heading END OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS
@end iftex
@ifinfo
@center END OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS
@end ifinfo

@page
@appendixsec How to Apply These Terms to Your New Programs

  If you develop a new program, and you want it to be of the greatest
possible use to the public, the best way to achieve this is to make it
free software which everyone can redistribute and change under these terms.

  To do so, attach the following notices to the program.  It is safest
to attach them to the start of each source file to most effectively
convey the exclusion of warranty; and each file should have at least
the ``copyright'' line and a pointer to where the full notice is found.

@smallexample
@var{one line to give the program's name and an idea of what it does.}
Copyright (C) 20@var{yy}  @var{name of author}

This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License
as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2
of the License, or (at your option) any later version.

This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE@.  See the
GNU General Public License for more details.

You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307, USA.
@end smallexample

Also add information on how to contact you by electronic and paper mail.

If the program is interactive, make it output a short notice like this
when it starts in an interactive mode:

@smallexample
Gnomovision version 69, Copyright (C) 20@var{yy} @var{name of author}
Gnomovision comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY; for details
type `show w'.  This is free software, and you are welcome
to redistribute it under certain conditions; type `show c' 
for details.
@end smallexample

The hypothetical commands @samp{show w} and @samp{show c} should show
the appropriate parts of the General Public License.  Of course, the
commands you use may be called something other than @samp{show w} and
@samp{show c}; they could even be mouse-clicks or menu items---whatever
suits your program.

You should also get your employer (if you work as a programmer) or your
school, if any, to sign a ``copyright disclaimer'' for the program, if
necessary.  Here is a sample; alter the names:

@smallexample
@group
Yoyodyne, Inc., hereby disclaims all copyright
interest in the program `Gnomovision'
(which makes passes at compilers) written 
by James Hacker.

@var{signature of Ty Coon}, 1 April 1989
Ty Coon, President of Vice
@end group
@end smallexample

This General Public License does not permit incorporating your program into
proprietary programs.  If your program is a subroutine library, you may
consider it more useful to permit linking proprietary applications with the
library.  If this is what you want to do, use the GNU Library General
Public License instead of this License.

@node Command Index, Variable Index, Copying, Top
@unnumbered Command Index

@printindex fn

@node Variable Index, Concept Index, Command Index, Top
@unnumbered Variable Index

@printindex vr

@node Concept Index,  , Variable Index, Top
@unnumbered Concept Index

@printindex cp

@contents
@bye

@c XXX In the sections on customizing MH-E, you can add cross-references
@c to the Emacs manual and the Emacs Lisp manual wherever they are
@c useful. @pxref{node, , section, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}
