A    Differences in Mail Handlers

There are differences in how the CDE mail application and the DECwindows Motif mail application manage mail operations. This appendix discusses:

• Features present in the CDE mail application, but not present in the DECwindows Motif mail application

• Absence of MH features in the CDE mail application

• Differences between MH/DXmail and the CDE mail applcation

A.1    Features Available in the CDE Mail Application

This section highlights some of the features available in the CDE mail application that are not available in the MH/DXmail application:

• Provides minimal compliance for the Multipurpose Internet Messages Extension (MIME) standard. See the Internet Message RFCs for a description of MIME.

• Turns vacation notification on or off from within the dtmail application.

• Provides a Spell Checker to check spelling when composing messages.

• Supports search and substitution of text when composing a message.

• Supports use of templates (composed text) that you can include in mail messages.

• Offers a Comprehensive Options dialog box that you can use to do the following:

  • Set aliases

  • Specify predefined headers during compose

  • Specify the removal of headers during read operations

  • Set message numbers

  • Indent an included message during a reply operation

  • Set an auto log of send messages

  • Specify a top level directory for mailfolders, and others files

• You can use the CDE Mailer as a Post Office Protocol (POP) client to connect to network mail servers offering POP services. If you choose this option, you can also select APOP authentication (if supported by your network mail server) to encrypt your user ID and password during communications with your mail server.

A.2    Features Not Available in the CDE Mail Applications

The following list highlights some differences between the DECwindows Motif mail and CDE mail applications:

• User's view of folders

  The dxmail application provides a window that lists all available mailboxes (folders) for each user. The dtmail application does not provide this feature. To view mail folders under CDE, you must use the File Manager. Thus, if you maintain your mail in one directory, you can use the features of the File Manager with dtmail to open folders and so forth, or manage your mail directories. See the CDE User's Guide for information on the File Manager and using datatypes.

• Personal Editors

  The dtmail application does not support the ability to specify an editor of your choice when composing mail.

• Modifying read messages

  The dtmail application does not provide the ability to modify a message when in read mode. To modify a message, forward the message to yourself. Then, in the Compose window, edit, then send the message.

• Signatures

  The dtmail application does not provide the ability to specify a Signature. The GECOS field specified in the /etc/passwd file is used instead.

A.3    Differences Between MH and the CDE Mail Applications

Unlike the dtmail application, the dxmail application uses the Rand Corporation Mail Handler (MH) to process mail. Table A-1 lists the availability of MH attributes in the CDE mail application.

Table A-1:  Differences in Mail Handlers