Multics Technical Bulletin MTB 701-01
To: MTB Distribution
From: J.K.Blair
Date: 01/28/86
Subject: Executive Mail, MR12 Extensions
ABSTRACT
This document discusses the planned extensions to the Multics
Executive Mail (xmail) product for the MR12 release. Some lines
are 80 characters wide which may cause problems when printing.
Version 01 is a re-issue (with change bars) which reflects *
corrections to the original and documents those portions which
will not be implemented for MR12.
Comments may be made:
Via forum on System-M:
>site>forum_dir>executive_mail (xmail)
Via Multics mail:
Blair.Multics
Via HVN telephone:
249-6863
_________________________________________________________________
Multics Project internal working documentation. Not to be
reproduced outside the Multics Project.
Multics Technical Bulletin MTB 701-01
CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2.0 NEW FUNCTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.1 Include More Printing Options. . . . . . . . . 2
2.2 Read User's Messages in Another Mailbox. . . . 6
2.3 Allow Selection of Messages by Date. . . . . . 8
2.4 Include Original in Reply. . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.5 File Original Before Reply . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.0 IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING FUNCTIONS . . . . . . . 15
3.1 Similar Msg Sending for Forward, Send, & Reply 15
3.2 Create New Xmail Profile if Problem with Old . 16
3.3 Summary of Function-Escape Sequences in Help . 17
3.4 Display "Opening mailbox..." Message to User . 18
3.5 Undelete Deleted Messages if Cleanup Exit. . . 19
3.6 Information on Deferred Msgs in General Help . 20
3.7 Modify "Do you wish to continue?" Message. . . 22
3.8 More Informative Editor Help Display . . . . . 23
3.9 Use Hypens to Delimit Bottom Window in Editor. 26
3.10 Display General Help in Top Window . . . . . . 27
4.0 INTEGRATION OF XSERVICES UTILITIES . . . . . . . 28
4.1 Screen Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
4.2 Multics Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
5.0 APPENDIX - MODIFIED MENUS. . . . . . . . . . . . 30
5.1 MR12 Process Incoming Mail Menu. . . . . . . . 30
5.2 MR12 Process Filed Mail Menu . . . . . . . . . 30
5.3 MR12 Personalize Executive Mail Menus. . . . . 31
5.4 MR12 General Help Topics Menu. . . . . . . . . 32
Multics Technical Bulletin MTB 701-01
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Even though Executive Mail has been a product for several
releases, new improvements and suggestions are actively
requested and evaluated, as well as reviewing previous ones
that were not included in prior releases due to lack of time
or resources. Some of these suggestions come from a desire
to incorporate more of the functionality of read_mail and
send_mail.
This MTB describes the implementation of the most requested
or suggested functions or improvements to the Executive Mail
product, while keeping intact the two major goals of the
original product: ease of use and ease of learning.
The release of Executive Forum as a product geared to the
same type of users as Executive Mail, has brought to light
some inconsistencies and possible improvements to the xmail
product. In addition, a lot of duplicate code had to be
generated in xforum which is now being combined in a set of
utilities called Executive Services. The object of using
xservices is to make the user interface to both xmail and
xforum more consistant and easy to use.
These extensions to xmail are presented under three major
topics: new functions, improvements to existing functions,
and integration of xservices utilities. Also included is an
Appendix of the new and modified menus resulting from these
extensions.
MTB 701-01 Multics Technical Bulletin
2.0 NEW FUNCTIONS
The following sections describe the proposed additions of
new functionality to the Executive Mail facility. Each
section gives the problem to be solved, the proposed
solution, and the documentation for the solution.
2.1 Include More Printing Options
2.1.1 Problem
It has been suggested that the Executive Mail facility
include more printing options. Currently only the
destination, header, and station (request_type) may be set
in the personalization menu to control printing. Users have
requested that xmail allow the user to preset and use the
eor control argument settings, use the defaults set outside
of xmail, or set more options within xmail. Some of the
options mentioned were: -indent, -copy, -notify, -forms,
-non_edited, and -no_end_page.
Also, users of xmail have expressed a desire to be queried
before anything is printed. There are a number of places
where printing of files, messages or mailing lists can be
requested, and in one instance, where xmail will
automatically print messages if a non-empty file is being
discarded. Remote and infrequent users may not have set up
the printer station and consequently, printing may be done
at a place other than the user's location. Hitting the "4",
which selects print in some menus, instead of the "F4" key
to exit xmail, can cause similar problems of unwanted
printing.
2.1.2 Solution
The ability to set and use all the eor control argument
settings is much too complex and not easily used by, or
explained to, the novice user. Likewise, using default
settings previously set from outside xmail may seem
confusing. In keeping with the goals of xmail, ease of use
and learning, it is more reasonable to include additional
options to the ones already set in xmail.
Besides adding options similar to eor control arguments,
another option will be added to allow the user to confirm,
or change temporarily, the other options just before
printing. A list of the currently set print options will
appear with a prompt to ask if changes need to be made.
This will allow users to BREAK if printing was requested
accidently, continue with printing as is, or change the
printing options with a menu in the lower window.
Multics Technical Bulletin MTB 701-01
The following options will be added to the Personalize
Executive Mail menu. The respective eor control argument is
only shown for relationship.
1) Set Left Margin (-indent)
Indenting was the most requested option, and hence an
appropriate addition, since xmail must support 8-1/2"
by 11" as well as larger paper. Indenting between 0
and 20 spaces will be allowed, with 0 the default.
2) Set Number Of Copies (-copy)
Printing more than 1 copy at a time seems a reasonable
and very useful option to include. From 1 to 30 copies
will be allowed. The default is 1.
3) Notify After Printing (-notify)
It seems reasonable for the user to want to be informed
when printing is finished. This option can be set to
yes or no, with no the default.
4) Confirm Print Options
At all the places in xmail where printing could occur,
allow the display of the currently set print options
with the following prompt to the user to ask if changes
need to be made. This option can be set to yes to
receive the prompt, or no to just print without
interruption. Yes will be the default so users always
have a chance to abort printing.
Do you wish to change any options before printing?
These were chosen for their simplicity and appropriateness.
The inclusion of options for -forms, -no_end_page, and
-non_edited were rejected because of possible user confusion
and it was not clear that these would be often used. See
the APPENDIX for the menus that were modified as a result of
the additions.
MTB 701-01 Multics Technical Bulletin
2.1.3 Documentation
:Info: Set_Left_Margin: Set Left Margin
This option lets you set the left margin of the printed output by
specifying the number of spaces you wish to indent the printing. After
selecting this option, the number of spaces currently indented is
displayed, and you are asked to specify a new number. You can enter
any number from 0 to 20. Remember to take into consideration the size
of the paper being used when specifying a number.
:Info: set_left_margin:
Type a number, from 0 to 20, to specify how many spaces you wish
to indent your printed output. Conclude by typing a RETURN. To retain
the current margin, just type a RETURN by itself.
:Info: Set_Number_Of_Copies: Set Number Of Copies
This option lets you set the number of copies of printed output
you wish to receive each time there is a request for printing. After
selecting this option, the number of copies currently specified is
displayed, and you are asked to specify a new number. You can enter
any number from 1 to 30.
:Info: set_number_of_copies:
Type a number, from 1 to 30, to specify how many copies of printed
output you wish to receive. Conclude by typing a RETURN. To retain
the current number of copies, just type a RETURN by itself.
:Info: Notify_After_Print: Notify After Print
This option lets you specify if you wish to be notified when the
system has printed your output. Even though printing is requested, it
may be some time before the printers can actually print the output.
After selecting this option, you are asked to specify "yes" or "no".
If you type "yes" you will receive an interactive message that printing
has been done. If you type "no", you will not receive a message.
:Info: notify_after_print:
Type "yes" if you want to receive an interactive message when
printing is done. Type "no" if you do not want a message. Conclude by
typing a RETURN. If you do not wish to change the way this option is
currently set, just type a RETURN by itself.
Multics Technical Bulletin MTB 701-01
:Info: Confirm_Print_Options: Confirm Print Options
This option lets you specify whether or not you wish to have an extra
prompt appear to confirm print options before all printing requests.
Printing can be requested by selection in the different menus or
automatically when you discard a non-empty mail file.
After selecting this option you are asked to specify "yes" or "no".
If you set this option to "no", printing is done without any extra
prompt. If you set this option to "yes", the current print options
will be listed every time printing is requested, plus a prompt will
appear to ask if you want to temporarily change any of them before
printing. At that time you can press BREAK if you do not want to print
at all, answer no to continue printing with the options as they are
set, or answer yes and change the options with a menu in the lower
window.
:Info: confirm_print_options:
Type "yes" if you want to receive an extra prompt to confirm or
change print options before any printing is done in Executive Mail.
Type "no" if you do not want to receive an extra prompt before
printing. Conclude by typing a RETURN. If you do not wish to change
the way this option is currently set, just type a RETURN by itself.
MTB 701-01 Multics Technical Bulletin
2.2 Read User's Messages in Another Mailbox
2.2.1 Problem
Executive Mail should allow users to read mailboxes that
belong to other people, subject to the mailbox access
setting. This would allow the user to select a different
mailbox, other than incoming or one of the mail files, with
the capability of reading or deleting the user's own
messages in someone else's mailbox, as well as just reading
the TR or MCR mailboxes. For example, if a user sends a
message to the wrong person, there should be a way to delete
that message from the person's mailbox. The only way this
can be accomplished currently is to leave xmail, set up a
link to that mailbox with the suffix "sv.mbx" and re-enter
xmail. The ability to read other mailboxes is available in
read_mail.
2.2.2 Solution
Allow the user to enter a person_id or mail table name at
the following prompt, which is displayed when selecting a
mail file to process. That person's mailbox would be opened
and available for processing in the Process Filed Mail menu.
A message that there are no messages in the mailbox would be
displayed if there were none that the user had access to
read. The current prompt would remain the same because of
space on the line:
Enter name of mail file you wish to process (or ?? for list)
If the user answered the prompt with ??, or always displayed
the list of mail files as a menu, another option "<user
mailbox>" would be included in the lower menu. Selecting
this option would prompt for the person id:
Enter user name of mailbox to be processed:
| In the event that a mail file exists with the same name as a
| person_id, the file will be selected rather than the other
| person's mailbox. The other mailbox would still be
| accessible by selecting the "<user mailbox>" option as
| described above or by typing in the pathname of the mailbox.
Reading another mailbox would only be allowed when
processing filed mail. This functionality would not be
available within the Review Mail File menu. Filing of
messages into another person's mailbox would not be allowed,
nor would the user be able to discard messages in a mailbox
| that is read only, for example the TR mailbox. The user
| would be informed if a mailbox that he selected was not
| available because of access.
Multics Technical Bulletin MTB 701-01
Provide a new menu option labelled "User Mailbox" in the
General Help Topics menu. This requires some minor
modifications to allow the new option as well as additional
entries in the info segments to support the new option.
2.2.3 Documentation
:Info: User_Mailbox: User Mailbox
It is possible in Executive Mail to select another user's
incoming mailbox to process when in the Process Filed Mail menu. This
allows you to read and delete messages that you have sent that user.
It also allows you to read the messages in certain other mailboxes that
are set up as "read only". The options that are available in the menu
depend on what access has been set for the mailbox selected.
You may select a mailbox by entering a user name or the printed|
representation of the mailbox, at the prompt for the mail file you|wish
to process. If you choose to have the list of files displayed as a|
menu, you may select "<user mailbox>" and then enter a user name or| the
pathname of a mailbox when you are prompted. |
:Info: user_mailbox:
Type the user name of the mailbox you wish to process. It can be
the name of a different user on the system, or the pathname of a sp|ecial
mailbox set up on the system.
MTB 701-01 Multics Technical Bulletin
2.3 Allow Selection of Messages by Date
2.3.1 Problem
Users of Executive Mail can select messages in the Process
Incoming Mail and Process Filed Mail menus by individual
numbers, numeric ranges, keywords, and text searches. It
seems reasonable and appropriate to also add the ability to
select by date or range of dates, which is available in
read_mail.
2.3.2 Solution
When choosing the Select Messages option from the Process
Incoming Mail or Process Filed Mail menus, allow the word,
"date", to be accepted in response to the prompt:
Which message(s) do you wish to select?
Include internal procedures in xmail_select_msgs_.pl1 to
handle the response of "date" similar to "search". If the
user enters "date", the following two prompts are displayed:
Earliest date in range:
Latest date in range:
Calls to convert_date_to_binary_ will validate the dates
entered at the prompts, plus the times will be zeroed out so
the range will be from the first date at midnight to the
second date at 23:59. Those messages created between the
requested dates become the current messages. If only one
date is entered at either prompt and a null response at the
other, messages created on that date at any time will be
selected. A null response at both prompts will use the
current date. The dates being used to select messages will
be displayed to the user as in the following example:
Selecting messages from
"02/01/85 00:00 mst" thru "02/28/85 23:59 mst"
The user will be informed if there are no messages that meet
that criteria. Info segments will also have to be modified
to include the addition of date as a valid selection, as
well as adding another option to the General Help Topics
menu labelled "Date Selection".
2.3.3 Documentation
Multics Technical Bulletin MTB 701-01
:Info: Date_Selection: Date Selection
When you are selecting current messages with the Select Messages
option, you can specify messages that were created on a certain date
or between a range of dates. To do this, type the word "date" when
the Select Messages option asks which messages are to be made current.
You are then prompted for the earliest date in the range and the latest
date in the range. When you enter a valid date at each prompt, all
messages which were created between the first date at 00:00 thru the
second date at 23:59 become the current messages. Pressing RETURN at
either prompt and entering a valid date at the other, selects all
messages created on that date. To select messages created on the
current date, just press RETURN at both prompts. Examples of dates:
February 15, 1985 15 Feb 1985 02/15/1985
2/15/85 1985-02-15 85-2-15
today yesterday now
:Info: date_selection:
To select messages by date, type a date at the earliest date and
the latest date prompts. Conclude each entry by pressing RETURN.
Messages created between those two dates become the current messages.
If you want to select messages created on one date, enter that date at
one prompt, and just press RETURN at the other prompt. Pressing RETURN
at both prompts will select messages created on the current date.
Examples of dates:
February 15, 1985 15 Feb 1985 02/15/1985
2/15/85 1985-02-15 85-2-15
today yesterday now
:Info: Selecting_Messages: Selecting Messages
After entering the Process Incoming Mail and Process Filed Mail
menus, you can change the current message by using the options Next
Message and Select Messages. For example, suppose you have just
entered Process Incoming Mail and want to make message number 5 the
current message. Because you have just entered this menu, the current
message is message 1. So you choose the Select Messages option, and
you are asked which messages you would like to make current. You can
supply several numbers here, each separated from the others by blanks,
and have several current messages at the same time, but since you want
just message number 5, you type 5. Message number 5 becomes the
current message and is listed on your screen.
Suppose that you then want to make message number 6 the current
message. You could accomplish this simply by selecting the Next
Message option. If, however, message number 5 is the highest numbered
message when you select this option, message number 1 becomes the
current message and is listed automatically.
MTB 701-01 Multics Technical Bulletin
You may also select messages in Process Incoming Mail and Process
Filed Mail by responding with the word "search" when asked which
messages to make current. For a further explanation of how to do this,
read the "Searching Messages" option listed in the menu from which you
selected the information you are reading now.
You may also select messages in Process Incoming Mail and Process
Filed Mail by responding with the word "date" when asked which
messages to make current. For a further explanation of how to do this,
read the "Date Selection" option listed in the menu from which you
selected the information you are reading now.
After messages are selected, an automatic listing of the current
messages are displayed.
:Info: Specifying_Ranges: Specifying Ranges
To select a range of message numbers, you can type the lowest and
highest message numbers of the range, rather than type each number in
the range. For example:
2:5
The first number must be less than the second number. You can also use
the keyword "first" instead of the first number, and you can use the
keyword "last" in place of the second number, though you cannot use
both of these keywords together, such as in the expression
"first:last."
If you use the Next Message option while there is a range of
current messages specified, the current message becomes the message
after the highest numbered current message.
To select a range of dates, you can type the word "date" and be
prompted for the earliest date and the latest date in the range. The
first date must be earlier than the second date.
:Info: which_message:
Specify the message(s) you want by typing a single number, several
numbers separated by blank spaces, a range of numbers, a keyword
(first, next, prev, new, last, all), the word "search" or the word
"date". If you type the word "search," you then are asked to supply a
word, words, or part of a word that you want to be searched for in the
headings and texts of all the messages in the current mailbox. All the
messages in which those search characters are found become the current
messages. Typing "date" prompts you for two dates, and all messages
created between those two dates become the current messages. To get a
list of your messages, type two question marks (??). Conclude by
pressing RETURN (or the equivalent of carriage return on your keyboard).
Multics Technical Bulletin MTB 701-01
2.4 Include Original in Reply
2.4.1 Problem
A number of users would like the functionality of the
-include_original control argument of reply as used in
read_mail. This is needed when the message being replied to
is outdated or the subject line contains no intellegible
information. It is also needed when the person replying
wishes to answer with a very short reply, such as "yes",
which contains little information unless the subject line is
well written. The ability to edit the original within the
reply as well as include it is also required.
2.4.2 Solution
For MR12, a new option, "Include Original In Reply", will be
added to the personalization menu. The option will have the
values of "yes", "no" or "ask". The value of "yes" will
always include the original messsage in the reply, while the
value of "ask" will prompt the user if the original should
be included before entering the editor. The value of "no" |
will not include the original message. |
|
Independent of whether or not the original is to be included |
in the reply, a second option is available to specify |
whether or not the original will be displayed in a viewing |
segment above the reply. This option will have the value of |
"yes" or "no". The value of "yes", which is the default, |
will cause the original to be displayed in a buffer above |
the window where the reply is being edited. This is |
consistent with the current behavior. The value of "no" |
will cause the top buffer to be suppressed and will allow |
more room for editing. This second option does not appear |
on the personalization menu and is accessable only after |
responding to the "Include Original in Reply" option. |
|
By making "Include Original in Reply" a personalization |
option, no new editor requests need to be added and for |
users who always include the original, no extra requests |
need be issued. However, users who answered "yes" to |
including the original would have to delete the original if |
they did not want it in a particular reply, or answer a
query each time they entered reply when the option was set
to ask.
2.4.3 Documentation
:Info: Include_Original_In_Reply: Include Original In Reply
This option lets you specify whether or not you want original
messages to be included in your replies, allowing you to edit them.
MTB 701-01 Multics Technical Bulletin
After selecting this option, you are asked to specify "yes", "no", or
"ask". If you type "yes", the original message will always be included
in your reply. If you type "no", the original message will not be
included. If you type "ask", every time you reply you will be asked
if you wish to include the original message in the reply.
:Info: include_original_in_reply:
Type one of the following three words in order to specify if you
want to include the original messages in your replies.
yes original messages are automatically included in your
replies and can be edited
no original messages are not included in your replies
ask you are asked every time you reply to a message if you
want the original message included
Conclude by typing a RETURN. If you do not want to change this option,
type a RETURN by itself.
| :Info: original_in_upper_window:
|
| Type one of the following two words to specify whether or not you
| want to have the original message to which you are replying displayed
| in the upper window.
|
| yes original messages are automatically displayed in
| the upper window
| no original messages are not displayed in the upper window
| and the full screen is available for editing the reply
|
| Conclude by typing a RETURN. If you do not want to change this option,
| type a RETURN by itself.
Multics Technical Bulletin MTB 701-01
2.5 File Original Before Reply
2.5.1 Problem
Requests have been made for a new option in Executive Mail
that would file a copy of the original message into a mail
file just prior to sending a reply. This would help to
preserve the order in which messages got sent and would
prevent users from having to remember to save a copy before
they reply.
2.5.2 Solution
Add another option "File Original Before Reply" to the
Personalize Executive Mail menu, which will work in
conjunction with the "Save Outgoing Messages" option already
in xmail. The option will have values of "yes", "no", or
"ask", with "no" as the default for compatibility with the
current behavior. When the value of the option is set to
"yes", the original message will be automatically filed
before the reply, if the reply is being saved. Setting the
option to "no" will skip filing the original, and to "ask"
will prompt the user each time to determine if original is
to be filed. This prompt will only appear if the user is
saving the reply. Both the original and the reply will be
saved in the same file, as specified by "Outgoing Savefile".
This requires additional documentation in the info segments
to support the new option.
2.5.3 Documentation
:Info: File_Original_Before_Reply: File Original Before Reply
This option lets you specify whether or not you want original
messages filed immediately before replies, if you are saving replies.
After selecting this option, you are asked to specify "yes", "no", or
"ask". If you type "yes", the original message will always be filed
in the same mail file immediately before the reply you are saving.
However, if you are not saving the reply, the original will not be
filed. If you type "no", the original message will not be filed. If
you type "ask", you will be asked if you wish to file the original
message before the reply, each time you save a reply.
MTB 701-01 Multics Technical Bulletin
:Info: file_original_before_reply:
Type one of the following three words in order to specify if you
want original messages filed before replies.
yes original messages are automatically filed immediately
before replies in the same mail file, if replies saved
no original messages are not filed before replies
ask you are asked every time you save a reply if you want the
original message filed first.
Conclude by typing a RETURN. If you do not want to change this option,
type a RETURN by itself.
Multics Technical Bulletin MTB 701-01
3.0 IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING FUNCTIONS
The following sections describe the proposed improvements to
existing functions of the Executive Mail facility. Each
section gives the problem to be solved, the proposed
solution, and the documentation for the solution.
3.1 Similar Msg Sending for Forward, Send, & Reply
3.1.1 Problem
Send, Reply, and Forward mail are not consistant in behavior
or messages to the user when there is a problem in filing
mail after leaving the editor. The user is never quite sure
if the mail was actually sent or not. In Send and Reply,
the mail is sent before an attempt to file the mail is made.
If there is a problem with filing, the message to the user
from Send and Reply are different and confusing. However,
in Forward, the attempt to file the mail is made before
sending, so the mail is neither sent nor filed, and the lack
of a message is confusing. It seems to make more sense for
Forwarding to have the same behavior as Send and Reply, so
that if there is a problem with filing, xmail still sends
the mail. Also, the user messages should be consistant. A
message that the mail was sent should be displayed before
the query to file (or the automatic filing is done).
3.1.2 Solution
Generalize the following sequenced functions in all three
modules by extracting the code and combining it into a
separate module so there are no duplications and the
behavior remains consistant.
1) Check for acknowledgement.
2) Deliver mail.
a. If error, display message and return to menu.
3) Display message that mail was delivered.
4) Check for filing.
5) Display message that mail was filed.
a. If error, display message and attempt to loop so copy
is not lost if possible.
3.1.3 Documentation
There are no documentation changes needed since this
behavior should be consistant now.
MTB 701-01 Multics Technical Bulletin
3.2 Create New Xmail Profile if Problem with Old
3.2.1 Problem
The Executive Mail profile, xmail.value, is used by many of
the xmail modules, especially for personalization options.
If for some reason, this segment contained garbage or was
otherwise not available for use, users would not be able to
continue in xmail. The suggestion was made to allow xmail
to create a new profile if a problem did occur with the old
one. The user would have to be informed and re-do the
personalization options in this case because the new profile
could only set up the regular defaults.
3.2.2 Solution
When a problem in the xmail.value segment is detected, a
message to the user will be displayed relating that the file
is bad, it is being recreated with the defaults, and to
please reenter personalization options again. The old
xmail.value will be deleted and the error will be logged.
If the user only has status access on the directory, a
message will appear that because of access problems, a new
profile could not be created and defaults from an internal
static structure would be used. Personalization options
could then only be changed temporarily.
A separate module to implement this function will be created
so it can be called from the modules using the profile. The
most probable time of failure would be on first entering
xmail, as something could have happened to the segment
between invocations. The ability to recreate the profile or
use a default static structure, however, will be available
whenever a problem is detected so processing is not aborted.
3.2.3 Documentation
There are no documentation changes needed for this
modification.
Multics Technical Bulletin MTB 701-01
3.3 Summary of Function-Escape Keys in Help
3.3.1 Problem
Executive Mail should supply better information on function
key and escape sequences. There is no easy way to get the
mappings between function keys and the associated "ESCx"
sequences. The information is in the info segments, but is
buried in the help for F1. The help files are so geared to
terminals with function keys, it is difficult to see the ESC
equivalents. A short summary of function keys and escape
sequences in general help would make using ESC much easier.
3.3.2 Solution
Provide a new menu option labelled "Summary of
Function-Escape Keys" in the General Help Topics menu that
is displayed when the user types "??" in response to prompt
during help request. This requires a new entry in the info
segment as well as some minor modifications to allow the new
option.
3.3.3 Documentation
:Info: Summary_of_Function-Escape_Keys: Summary of Function-Escape Keys
F1 (ESC ?) help with menu options, function keys, or general items
F2 (ESC f) return to the first menu: Executive Mail
F3 (ESC p) return to the previous menu
F4 (ESC q) quit the Executive Mail facility
F5 (ESC r) redisplay the menu or menus on the screen
F6 (ESC l) look at a previous portion of a list on the screen
F7 (ESC h) look at the next portion of a list on the screen
F8 (ESC e) to execute a Multics command while in xmail if the
personalize option "Multics Command Mode" is set to yes
MTB 701-01 Multics Technical Bulletin
| 3.4 Display Message to User When Selecting File
3.4.1 Problem
When filing mail or selecting a mailbox for processing in
| Executive Mail (Review Mail Files option), the cursor
remains at the prompt, or in the case of automatically
displaying lists as menus, at the lower menu option. If the
file is large and opening takes a long time, the user does
not know if anything is happening. A suggestion was made to
display a message to the user that the mailbox or mailing
list was being opened.
| Example:
| The "foo" file has been selected.
3.4.2 Solution
| Just before the call to open a mailbox while processing
| filed mail, add a call to ioa_ to display "The "foo" file
| has been selected..." on the screen.
3.4.3 Documentation
There are no documentation changes needed for this
modification.
Multics Technical Bulletin MTB 701-01
3.5 Undelete Deleted Messages if Cleanup Exit
3.5.1 Problem
Executive mail does not immediately delete messages that
have been discarded during processing of a mailbox. It
instead marks the messages for deletion, and will delete
them on finishing with the mailbox. This makes retrieving
possible. If messages are marked for deletion during
processing and a cleanup condition occurs, the messages are
deleted without giving the user a chance to undelete them.
3.5.2 Solution
Do not delete messages that have been marked for deletion if
exiting because of a cleanup condition. Instead, remove the
delete flag from the messages.
3.5.3 Documentation
There are no documentation changes needed for this
modification.
MTB 701-01 Multics Technical Bulletin
3.6 Information on Deferred Msgs in General Help
3.6.1 Problem
It is not obvious to first-time or novice users of Executive
Mail how to get back and send a reply that has been
deferred. More information about the different kinds of
deferred messages should be made available and more readily
accessible. Suggestions have been made to include another
option in the General Help Topics menu that describes all
aspects of deferred messages, including how and where they
can be used. Other suggestions have been made that would
change the way xmail deals with deferred replies:
1) Include other options on the menu which allow user to
send and discard deferred replies, such as with deferred
messages in Send Mail menu.
2) Immediately delete deferred reply if user chooses to
delete it, not wait until reply is finished.
3.6.2 Solution
For MR12, a new option in the General Help Topics menu will
be available called "Deferred Messages". It will describe
the differences between deferred replies and deferred new
messages. This requires new entries in the info segments as
well as some minor modifications to allow the new option.
| When a user chooses to delete a deferred reply, the deferred
| reply will be marked for deletion in such a way as to force
| the deferred reply to be deleted during a cleanup situation.
| This is the case where the user types "break" to exit from
| the reply sequence which follows the prompt for whether or
| not the deferred reply should be discarded. At present, the
| deferred reply still exists after the user breaks out of
| reply even though the choice was made to discard the
| deferred reply.
3.6.3 Documentation
:Info: Deferred_Messages: Deferred Messages
There are two types of deferred messages, new messages that have
been deferred while editing in the Send Mail menu, and replies to
messages that have been deferred while editing in either the Process
Incoming Mail or Process Filed Mail menus. The "ESC t" sequence in the
editor is used to defer messages.
New messages that have been deferred while editing can be given a
name and used later on by options in the Send Mail menu.
Deferred replies, however, are linked to one particular message.
After the deferred reply is saved, it is automatically available to you
Multics Technical Bulletin MTB 701-01
when you try to reply to the message again. A prompt will appear
before entering the editor to ask if you wish to use the deferred reply.
At that time you can use the deferred reply, not use it, or delete it.
If a deferred reply is not used within 30 days, a message will appear
when you exit executive mail to ask if you wish to review it. This
allows you to delete or just review the deferred reply.
MTB 701-01 Multics Technical Bulletin
3.7 Modify "Do you wish to continue?" Message
3.7.1 Problem
There have been recommendations to change the message that
is displayed on the screen when the user first enters
Executive Mail and there is no mail in the incoming mailbox.
You have no messages in the "incoming" mailbox.
Do you wish to continue? (y/n)
For some users, it is unclear from the second line of the
message if the user is being asked to continue in the xmail
subsystem, or to continue on to Multics (as opposed to
quitting entirely). A clearer message would certainly be
appropriate and easy enough to change. Other users would
rather not see the question at all, and elimination of the
entire query by adding another option to the personalization
menu has been suggested.
3.7.2 Solution
In the xmail.pl1 module, modify the call to ioa_ to display:
You have no messages in the "incoming" mailbox.
Do you still wish to enter executive_mail?
This is a very minor change. There is no need to include
the "(y/n)", as the query is straightforward and MR12
changes to command_query_, which this module uses, allow
case insensitive yes, y, no, or n. Adding another option to
the Personalize Executive Mail menu to eliminate the query
entirely is not planned at this time.
3.7.3 Documentation
There are no documentation changes needed for this
modification.
Multics Technical Bulletin MTB 701-01
3.8 More Informative Editor Help Display
3.8.1 Problem
There have been several suggestions on how to improve the
display of help while in the Executive Mail editor. When
ESC ? is used in the editor and the requested help is
displayed, xmail stops to let the user read the information.
What is not included in that display, and should be, is how
to get back to editing. Pressing any key will redisplay the
user's edited message, but, depending on the key, will
actually perform the key's function. A novice user may not
be able to find out how to get back to editing without
causing side effects. A no-op control sequence was
suggested so the editing is not disturbed. This has been
documented in the regular info files, but is not available
when in the editor.
The other suggestions come from objections to "E" and "C"
being substituted for "ESC" and "CTL" in the entire list of
editor commands. The info segments use the "ESC" and "CTL"
notation for the escape key and control key respectively,
but the editor help summary uses "E" and "C", which can be
confusing. The notations should be consistant in all help
files.
3.8.2 Solution
Modify the last line of help display in the editor to
include the control sequence "CTL g" to exit help. Modify
all the editor help summaries to use the "ESC" and "CTL"
notation.
MTB 701-01 Multics Technical Bulletin
3.8.3 Documentation
New editor help summaries:
| 1) Minibuffer mode summary
|
| (ESC x = press escape key then press x; BS = BACKSPACE = CTL h;
| CTL x = CTRL x = hold CONTROL key down while pressing x)
| @: Erase to Start of Line CTLf: Forward Char ESCd: Erase Word
| BS: Backward Erase Char CTLg: Exit Help ESCf: Forward Word
| CTLa: Start of Line CTLk: Erase to End of Line ESCr: Redisplay
| CTLb: Backward Char CTLy: Retrieve Erased Text
| CTLd: Erase Char ESC?: Editor Help
| CTLe: End of Line ESCb: Backward Word
| ESCBS: Backward Erase Word
|
| 2) Header summary
|
| (ESCx = press escape key then press x; BS = BACKSPACE = CTLh;
| CTLx = CTRLx = hold CONTROL key down while pressing x)
| @: Erase to Start of Line CTLg: Exit Help ESCb: Backward Word
| BS: Backward Erase Char CTLk: Erase to End of Line ESCBS: Backward Erase Word
| CTLa: Start of Line CTLp: Previous Line ESCn: Next Screen
| CTLb: Backward Char CTLy: Retrieve Erased Text ESCp: Previous Screen
| CTLd: Erase Char ESC<: Start of Header ESCq: Update Header Info
| CTLe: End of Line ESC>: End of Header ESCr: Redisplay
| CTLf: Forward Char ESC?: Editor Help
|
| 3) Send mode and send deferred mode summary
|
| (ESCx = press escape key then press x; BS = BACKSPACE = CTLh;
| CTLx = CTRLx = hold CONTROL key down while pressing x)
| @: Erase to Start of Line CTLn: Next Line ESCf: Forward Word
| BS: Backward Erase Char CTLp: Previous Line ESCg: Get File
| CTLa: Start of Line CTLy: Retrieve Erased Text ESCm: Adjust Paragraph
| CTLb: Backward Char ESC?: Editor Help ESCn: Next Screen
| CTLd: Erase Char ESC<: Start of Message ESCp: Previous Screen
| CTLe: End of Line ESC>: End of Message ESCq: Send Message
| CTLf: Forward Char ESCb: Backward Word ESCr: Redisplay
| CTLg: Exit Help ESCBS: Backward Erase Word ESCt: Defer Message
| CTLk: Erase to End of Line ESCd: Erase Word ESCu: Change Subject or
| Recipients
Multics Technical Bulletin MTB 701-01
4) Reply mode summary |
|
(ESCx = press escape key then press x; BS = BACKSPACE = CTLh; |
CTLx = CTRLx = hold CONTROL key down while pressing x) |
@: Erase to Start of Line CTLp: Previous Line ESCh: Next Message Page |
BS: Backward Erase Char CTLy: Retrieve Erased Text ESCl: Previous Msg Page |
CTLa: Start of Line ESC?: Editor Help ESCm: Adjust Paragraph |
CTLb: Backward Line ESC<: Start of Reply ESCn: Next Screen |
CTLd: Erase Char ESC>: End of Reply ESCp: Previous Screen |
CTLe: End of Line ESCb: Backward Word ESCq: Send Reply |
CTLf: Forward Char ESCBS: Backward Erase Word ESCr: Redisplay |
CTLg: Exit Help ESCd: Erase Word ESCt: Defer Reply |
CTLk: Erase to End of Line ESCf: Forward Word ESCu: Change Recipients |
CTLn: Next Line ESCg: Get File |
|
5) Forward mode summary |
|
(ESCx = press escape key then press x; BS = BACKSPACE = CTLh; |
CTLx = CTRLx = hold CONTROL key down while pressing x) |
@: Erase to Start of Line CTLf: Forward Char ESCBS: Backward |
BS: Backward Erase Char CTLg: Exit Help Erase Word |
CTLa: Start of Line CTLk: Erase to End of Line ESCd: Erase Word |
CTLb: Backward Char CTLy: Retrieve Erased Text ESCf: Forward Word |
CTLd: Erase Char ESC?: Editor Help ESCr: Redisplay |
CTLe: End of Line ESCb: Backward Word |
|
6) Mailing lists |
|
(ESCx = press escape key then press x; BS = BACKSPACE = CTLh; |
CTLx = CTRLx = hold CONTROL key down while pressing x) |
@: Erase to Start of Line CTLn: Next Line ESCd: Erase Word |
BS: Backward Erase Char CTLp: Previous Line ESCf: Forward Word |
CTLa: Start of Line CTLy: Retrieve Erased Text ESCn: Next Screen |
CTLb: Backward Char ESC<: Start of Mailing List ESCp: Previous Screen |
CTLd: Erase Char ESC>: End of Mailing List ESCq: Finished with |
CTLe: End of Line ESC?: Editor Help Mailing List |
CTLf: Forward Char ESCb: Backward Word ESCr: Redisplay |
CTLg: Exit Help ESCBS: Backward Erase Word ESCu: Find Bad Addresses |
CTLk: Erase to End of Line |
MTB 701-01 Multics Technical Bulletin
3.9 Use Hypens to Delimit Bottom Window in Editor
3.9.1 Problem
In Executive Mail, while typing in a message, there is a
blank line between the last typed line visible on the screen
and the help-type information at the bottom. This blank
line makes users suspect that there may be two blank lines
between paragraphs rather than one. A suggestion was made
to replace the blank line with hypens so the editing window
is more clearly defined.
3.9.2 Solution
| Change the value of the mode line being displayed from blank
| to hyphens.
3.9.3 Documentation
There are no documentation changes needed for this
modification.
Multics Technical Bulletin MTB 701-01
3.10 Display General Help in Top Window
3.10.1 Problem
The General Help Topics menu currently appears in the lower
window when the user types "??" in response to a prompt
during request for help. With the increase in size because
of additional options to this menu, plus the fact that the
menu disappears during the display of each individual help
option, it was suggested that general help should be
displayed like a regular menu at the top of the screen.
3.10.2 Solution
Display the General Help Topics menu as a separate screen. |
The previous menu is replaced when the user exits the |
General Help Topics menu. Include all the new options |
described in this MTB document. The text from a selected |
help option is displayed below the menu with the standard |
more-mode processing. |
3.10.3 Documentation
See the APPENDIX at the end of this document for the
modified menu.
MTB 701-01 Multics Technical Bulletin
4.0 INTEGRATION OF XSERVICES UTILITIES
| **** Integration of Xservice utilities is not being done for MR12. ****
| **** The following text is being left as documentation for a future ****
| **** release. ****
The set of generalized utilities called Executive Services
are being created to eliminate duplicate code and to
standardize, as much as possible, the user interface to
Executive Mail and Executive Forum. The following sections
describe the changes that will be visible to the xmail user
as a result of using these common utilities.
4.1 Screen Management
Executive Mail modules will be modified to call xservices
entrypoints to do screen management. The following
descriptions are the user visible changes that will be
implemented.
1) Help Line
Xmail will display the help line at the bottom of the
screen similar to xforum. More function key or escape
sequence information will be present instead of just
the current display of "(for help Press F1)" or "(for
help press ESC ?)". The ways to quit, get help, go to
first or previous menus will be more obvious.
2) Status Line
Because the help line is currently a part of the status
line and will now be a separate line at the bottom of
the screen, the previous "Current Messages" line will
be incorporated into the new status line. This will
limit the display of current message numbers, but not
to any great degree. The status line will still remain
above the menu. See the modified menus in the APPENDIX
of this document.
3) Opening and Closing Message
There will be messages displayed, similar to the
messages seen during xforum, when starting and leaving
xmail.
Multics Technical Bulletin MTB 701-01
4.2 Multics Mode
Executive Mail will use the same Multics mode behavior as
Executive Forum. Xforum contains its own primitive listener
for multics mode so the user should never have a stack level
pushed. The conditions command_question, command_error
finish, and stringsize are handled by calling the system
handler to ensure the user stays within the "listener".
Keeping xmail and xforum in charge of user commands gives
the user a very simple way to return to the menus. All that
is required is that the user enter a null command line.
This is better than issuing a "pi" command which does not
work in all cases, i.e., the user quits out of another
subsystem with a "pi" handler.
MTB 701-01 Multics Technical Bulletin
5.0 APPENDIX - MODIFIED MENUS
With the above proposed extensions, new and modified options
require the modifications of the menus within the Executive
Mail Facility. The new menus are presented with notes on
major modifications.
5.1 MR12 Process Incoming Mail Menu
Mailbox: incoming Current messages: 1 Total messages: 1
--------------------------- Process Incoming Mail ---------------------------
(1) Display (6) Select Messages (b) File Copy
(2) Reply (7) List Current Messages (c) Print
(3) File Original (8) List All Messages (d) Write
(4) Discard (9) Forward (e) Process Filed Mail
(5) Next Message (a) Retrieve Messages (f) Send Mail
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.2 MR12 Process Filed Mail Menu
File: outgoing Current messages: 1 Total messages: 1
----------------------------- Process Filed Mail ----------------------------
(1) Display (6) Select Messages (b) File Copy
(2) Reply (7) List Current Messages (c) Print
(3) File Original (8) List All Messages (d) Write
(4) Discard (9) Forward (e) Select New File
(5) Next Message (a) Retrieve Messages
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Multics Technical Bulletin MTB 701-01
5.3 MR12 Personalize Executive Mail Menus
The Personalize Executive Mail menu needs modification to
include the new options described in this MTB document. If
the menu remained as one menu with just the addition of the
new options, it would become too large and unwieldy; no
longer easy to read or use. To make personalization easier
for the user, the menu has been reorganized into one smaller
menu plus three new menus. The Personalize Executive Mail
menu has just three options. Each of those options will
take the user to the three new menus where personalization
can be done.
------------------------------- Personalize ---------------------------------
Executive Mail
(1) Printing Options (3) Processing Options
(2) Outgoing Message Options
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------- Personalization of -----------------------------
Printing Options
(1) Set Header (5) Set Number of Copies
(2) Set Destination (6) Notify After Printing
(3) Set Station (7) Confirm Print Options
(4) Set Left Margin
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------- Personalization of -----------------------------
Outgoing Message Options
(1) Message Acknowledgment (4) Set Full Name
(2) Save Outgoing Messages (5) Include Original In Reply
(3) Set Outgoing Savefile (6) File Original Before Reply
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------- Personalization of -----------------------------
Processing Options
(1) Process Interactive Messages (4) Always Use Escape Sequences
(2) Display Lists As Menus (5) Multics Command Mode
(3) Remove Menu While Editing
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
MTB 701-01 Multics Technical Bulletin
5.4 MR12 General Help Topics Menu
------------------------------- General Help -------------------------------
Topics
(1) Exiting Executive Mail (c) Current Messages
(2) Function Keys (d) Selecting Messages
(3) Summary of Function-Escape Keys (e) Keywords
(4) Help With a Prompt (f) Specifying Ranges
(5) Editing Mail (g) Searching Messages
(6) Summary of Editor Requests (h) Date Selection
(7) Retrieving Erased Text (i) Scrolling
(8) Right Margins (j) User Names
(9) BREAK Key (k) Deferred Messages
| (a) Mail Files (l) <Executive Mail>
(b) User Mailbox
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------