@chapter Sending Mail
@cindex sending mail
@cindex mail
+@cindex email
@cindex message
- To send a message in Emacs, you start by typing a command (@kbd{C-x m})
-to select and initialize the @samp{*mail*} buffer. Then you edit the text
-and headers of the message in this buffer, and type another command
-(@kbd{C-c C-s} or @kbd{C-c C-c}) to send the message.
+@kindex C-x m
+@findex compose-mail
+ To send an @dfn{e-mail} message in Emacs, type @kbd{C-x m}. This
+selects and initializes a buffer named @samp{*mail*}, where you can
+edit the text and headers of the message. Finally, type @kbd{C-c C-s}
+or @kbd{C-c C-c} to send the message.
@table @kbd
@item C-x m
-Begin composing a message to send (@code{compose-mail}).
+Begin composing mail (@code{compose-mail}).
@item C-x 4 m
-Likewise, but display the message in another window
-(@code{compose-mail-other-window}).
+Likewise, in another window (@code{compose-mail-other-window}).
@item C-x 5 m
-Likewise, but make a new frame (@code{compose-mail-other-frame}).
+Likewise, but in a new frame (@code{compose-mail-other-frame}).
@item C-c C-s
-In Mail mode, send the message (@code{mail-send}).
+In the mail buffer, send the message (@code{message-send}).
@item C-c C-c
-Send the message and bury the mail buffer (@code{mail-send-and-exit}).
+In the mail buffer, send the message and bury the buffer
+(@code{message-send-and-exit}).
@end table
-@kindex C-x m
-@findex compose-mail
@kindex C-x 4 m
@findex compose-mail-other-window
@kindex C-x 5 m
@findex compose-mail-other-frame
- The command @kbd{C-x m} (@code{compose-mail}) selects a buffer named
-@samp{*mail*} and initializes it with the skeleton of an outgoing
-message. @kbd{C-x 4 m} (@code{compose-mail-other-window}) selects the
-@samp{*mail*} buffer in a different window, leaving the previous current
-buffer visible. @kbd{C-x 5 m} (@code{compose-mail-other-frame}) creates
-a new frame to select the @samp{*mail*} buffer.
-
- Because the mail-composition buffer is an ordinary Emacs buffer, you can
-switch to other buffers while in the middle of composing mail, and switch
-back later (or never). If you use the @kbd{C-x m} command again when you
-have been composing another message but have not sent it, you are asked to
-confirm before the old message is erased. If you answer @kbd{n}, the
-@samp{*mail*} buffer remains selected with its old contents, so you can
-finish the old message and send it. @kbd{C-u C-x m} is another way to do
-this. Sending the message marks the @samp{*mail*} buffer ``unmodified,''
-which avoids the need for confirmation when @kbd{C-x m} is next used.
-
- If you are composing a message in the @samp{*mail*} buffer and want to
-send another message before finishing the first, rename the
-@samp{*mail*} buffer using @kbd{M-x rename-uniquely} (@pxref{Misc
-Buffer}). Then you can use @kbd{C-x m} or its variants described above
-to make a new @samp{*mail*} buffer. Once you've done that, you can work
-with each mail buffer independently.
-
-@vindex mail-default-directory
- The variable @code{mail-default-directory} controls the default
-directory for mail buffers, and also says where to put their auto-save
-files.
-
-@c Not mentioned: mail-bury-selects-summary. Really an Rmail feature.
-
-@ignore
-@c Commented out because it is not user-oriented;
-@c it doesn't say how to do some job. -- rms.
-@cindex directory servers
-@cindex LDAP
-@cindex PH/QI
-@cindex names and addresses
-There is an interface to directory servers using various protocols such
-as LDAP or the CCSO white pages directory system (PH/QI), described in a
-separate manual. It may be useful for looking up names and addresses.
-@xref{Top,,EUDC, eudc, EUDC Manual}.
-@end ignore
+@noindent
+The command @kbd{C-x 4 m} (@code{compose-mail-other-window}) does the
+same as @kbd{C-x m}, except it displays the mail buffer in a different
+window. The command @kbd{C-x 5 m} (@code{compose-mail-other-frame})
+creates a new frame for the mail buffer.
+
+ Because the mail buffer is an ordinary Emacs buffer, you can switch
+to other buffers while in the middle of composing mail, and switch
+back later (or never). If you type @kbd{C-x m} again when you have
+been composing another message but have not sent it, Emacs asks for
+confirmation before erasing the old message. If you answer @kbd{n},
+Emacs selects the mail buffer with its old contents, so you can finish
+the old message and send it. @kbd{C-u C-x m} is another way to do
+this. Sending the message marks the mail buffer ``unmodified,'' which
+avoids the need for confirmation when @kbd{C-x m} is next used.
+
+ If you want to send another message before finishing the current
+message, use the command @kbd{M-x rename-uniquely} to rename the
+current mail buffer (@pxref{Misc Buffer}). Then you can use @kbd{C-x
+m} to make a new mail buffer, and work with each mail buffer
+independently.
@menu
-* Format: Mail Format. Format of the mail being composed.
-* Headers: Mail Headers. Details of some standard mail header fields.
-* Aliases: Mail Aliases. Abbreviating and grouping mail addresses.
-* Mode: Mail Mode. Special commands for editing mail being composed.
-* Amuse: Mail Amusements. Distracting the NSA; adding fortune messages.
-* Methods: Mail Methods. Using alternative mail-composition methods.
+* Format: Mail Format. Format of a mail message.
+* Headers: Mail Headers. Details of some standard mail header fields.
+* Aliases: Mail Aliases. Abbreviating and grouping mail addresses.
+* Commands: Mail Commands. Special commands for editing mail being composed.
+* Signature: Mail Signature. Adding a signature to every message.
+* Amuse: Mail Amusements. Distracting the NSA; adding fortune messages.
+* Methods: Mail Methods. Using alternative mail-composition methods.
@end menu
@node Mail Format
@section The Format of the Mail Buffer
- In addition to the @dfn{text} or @dfn{body}, a message has @dfn{header
-fields} which say who sent it, when, to whom, why, and so on. Some
-header fields, such as @samp{Date} and @samp{Message-Id}, are created
-automatically when you send the message. Others, such as the recipient
-names, must be specified by you in order to send the message properly.
+ An email message must contain certain pieces of information, called
+@dfn{headers}, which specify the message's sender, recipient(s), and
+so on.
- In the mail buffer, you can insert and edit header fields using
-ordinary editing commands. Mail mode provides commands to help you
-edit some header fields, and some are automatically preinitialized in
-the buffer, when appropriate.
+ At the top of the mail buffer is a set of @dfn{header fields}, where
+you can enter this information. You can insert and edit header fields
+using ordinary editing commands. @xref{Header Editing}, for commands
+specific to editing header fields.
+
+ Some header fields are automatically pre-initialized in the buffer,
+when appropriate; other headers, such as @samp{Date} and
+@samp{Message-Id}, are normally omitted from the mail buffer and
+created automatically when the message is sent.
@vindex mail-header-separator
The line in the buffer that says
-@example
+@smallexample
--text follows this line--
-@end example
+@end smallexample
@noindent
-is a special delimiter that separates the headers you have specified from
-the text. Whatever follows this line is the text of the message; the
-headers precede it. The delimiter line itself does not appear in the
-message actually sent. The text used for the delimiter line is controlled
-by the variable @code{mail-header-separator}.
+separates the header fields from the @dfn{body} (or @dfn{text}) of the
+message. Everything above this line is treated as part of the
+headers; everything below it is treated as the body. The delimiter
+line itself does not appear in the message actually sent. The text
+used for the delimiter line is controlled by the variable
+@code{mail-header-separator}.
Here is an example of what the headers and text in the mail buffer
might look like.
@example
-To: gnu@@gnu.org
-CC: lungfish@@spam.org, byob@@spam.org
+To: gnu@@example.org
+CC: lungfish@@example.com, byob@@example.net
Subject: The Emacs Manual
--text follows this line--
Please ignore this message.
equivalent in field names (and in mailing addresses also). After the
colon and optional whitespace comes the contents of the field.
- You can use any name you like for a header field, but normally people
-use only standard field names with accepted meanings. Here is a table
-of fields commonly used in outgoing messages. Emacs preinitializes some
-of these when you start to compose a mail, depending on various options
-you can set. You can delete or alter any header field before you send
-the message, if you wish.
+ You can use any name you like for a header field, but normally
+people use only standard field names with accepted meanings. Here is
+a table of commonly-used fields. Emacs pre-initializes some of these,
+depending on various options you can set. You can delete or alter any
+header field before you send the message, if you wish.
@table @samp
+@item From
+@vindex user-mail-address
+The address of the sender (you). This should be a valid mailing
+address, as replies will normally go there. Emacs initializes this
+field using the variables @code{user-full-name} and
+@code{user-mail-address}; see below.
+
@item To
-This field contains the mailing addresses to which the message is
-addressed. If you list more than one address, use commas, not spaces,
-to separate them.
+The mailing address(es) to which the message is addressed. To list
+more than one address, use commas (not spaces) to separate them.
@item Subject
-The contents of the @samp{Subject} field should be a piece of text
-that says what the message is about. The reason @samp{Subject} fields
-are useful is that most mail-reading programs can provide a summary of
-messages, listing the subject of each message but not its text.
+A piece of text saying what the message is about. Most mail-reading
+programs can display a summary of messages, listing the subject of
+each message but not its text.
@item CC
-This field contains additional mailing addresses to send the message to,
-like @samp{To} except that these readers should not regard the message
-as directed at them.
+Additional mailing address(es) to send the message to. This is like
+@samp{To}, except that these readers should not regard the message as
+directed at them.
@item BCC
-This field contains additional mailing addresses to send the message to,
-which should not appear in the header of the message actually sent.
-Copies sent this way are called @dfn{blind carbon copies}.
-
-@vindex mail-self-blind
-@cindex copy of every outgoing message
-To send a blind carbon copy of every outgoing message to yourself, set
-the variable @code{mail-self-blind} to @code{t}. To send a blind carbon
-copy of every message to some other @var{address}, set the variable
-@code{mail-default-headers} to @code{"Bcc: @var{address}\n"}.
+Additional mailing address(es) to send the message to, which should
+not appear in the header of the message actually sent. ``BCC'' stands
+for @dfn{blind carbon copies}.
@item FCC
-This field contains the name of one file and directs Emacs to append a
-copy of the message to that file when you send the message. Emacs
-writes the message in mbox format, unless the file is in Babyl format
-(used by Rmail before Emacs 23), in which case Emacs writes Babyl. If
-an Rmail buffer is visiting the file, Emacs updates it accordingly.
-To specify more than one file, use several @samp{FCC} fields, with one
-file name in each field.
-
-@vindex mail-archive-file-name
-To put a fixed file name in the @samp{FCC} field each time you start
-editing an outgoing message, set the variable
-@code{mail-archive-file-name} to that file name. Unless you remove the
-@samp{FCC} field before sending, the message will be written into that
-file when it is sent.
-
-@item From
-Use the @samp{From} field to say who you are. You might need to change
-this if the account you are using to send the mail is not your own. The
-contents of the @samp{From} field should be a valid mailing address,
-since replies will normally go there.
-
-@vindex mail-setup-with-from
-Emacs initializes this field (unless the variable
-@code{mail-setup-with-from} is @code{nil}) using
-@code{user-mail-address} as the default. If there is no @samp{From}
-field when you send a mail, Emacs adds one.
+The name of one file, to which a copy of the sent message should be
+appended. Emacs writes the message in mbox format, unless the file is
+in Babyl format (used by Rmail before Emacs 23), in which case Emacs
+writes Babyl. If an Rmail buffer is visiting the file, Emacs updates
+it accordingly. To specify more than one file, use several @samp{FCC}
+fields, with one file name in each field.
@item Reply-to
-Use this field to direct replies to a different address. Most
-mail-reading programs (including Rmail) automatically send replies to
-the @samp{Reply-to} address in preference to the @samp{From} address.
-By adding a @samp{Reply-to} field to your header, you can work around
-any problems your @samp{From} address may cause for replies.
-
-@cindex @env{REPLYTO} environment variable
-@vindex mail-default-reply-to
-To put a fixed @samp{Reply-to} address into every outgoing message, set
-the variable @code{mail-default-reply-to} to that address (as a string).
-Then Emacs initializes the message with a @samp{Reply-to} field as
-specified. When you first compose a mail, if
-@code{mail-default-reply-to} is @code{nil}, Emacs initializes it from the
-environment variable @env{REPLYTO}.
+An address to which replies should be sent, instead of @samp{From}.
+You can use this header if, for some reason, your @samp{From} address
+is unable to receive replies.
@item Mail-reply-to
This field takes precedence over @samp{Reply-to}. It is used because
It usually indicates that you want replies to go to the list, and that
you do not need an extra copy sent directly to you.
-@vindex mail-mailing-lists
- The variable @code{mail-mailing-lists} holds a list of mailing list
-addresses that you are subscribed to. If it is non-@code{nil}, Emacs
-inserts an appropriate @samp{Mail-followup-to} header when sending mail
-to a mailing list.
-
-@c There is also "Sent-via", added by C-c C-v, but it does not seem
-@c particularly useful (?).
+@c Message mode handles this differently...
+@c @vindex mail-mailing-lists
+@c The variable @code{mail-mailing-lists} holds a list of mailing list
+@c addresses that you are subscribed to. If it is non-@code{nil}, Emacs
+@c inserts an appropriate @samp{Mail-followup-to} header when sending mail
+@c to a mailing list.
@item In-reply-to
-This field contains a piece of text describing the message you are
-replying to. Some mail systems can use this information to correlate
-related pieces of mail. Normally this field is filled in by Rmail
-when you reply to a message in Rmail, and you never need to
-think about it (@pxref{Rmail}).
+A piece of text describing the message you are replying to. Some mail
+systems can use this information to correlate related pieces of mail.
+Normally, you never need to think about this, because it is filled in
+automatically when you reply to a message in Rmail (or any other mail
+program built into Emacs).
@item References
-This field lists the Message-Ids of related previous messages (a
-Message-Id is a unique identifier generated when a message is sent).
-Rmail sets up this field automatically when you reply to a message.
+The Message-Ids of previous related messages (a Message-Id is a unique
+identifier generated when a message is sent). Like
+@samp{In-reply-to}, this is normally set up automatically for you.
@end table
- The @samp{To}, @samp{CC}, and @samp{BCC} header fields can appear
-any number of times, and each such header field can contain multiple
-addresses, separated by commas. This way, you can specify any number
-of places to send the message. These fields can also have
-continuation lines: one or more lines starting with whitespace,
-following the starting line of the field, are considered part of the
-field. Here's an example of a @samp{To} field with a continuation
-line:
+@noindent
+The @samp{To}, @samp{CC}, and @samp{BCC} fields can appear any number
+of times, and each such header field can contain multiple addresses,
+separated by commas. This way, you can specify any number of places
+to send the message. These fields can also have continuation lines:
+one or more lines starting with whitespace, following the starting
+line of the field, are considered part of the field. Here's an
+example of a @samp{To} field with a continuation line:
@example
@group
-To: foo@@here.net, this@@there.net,
- me@@gnu.cambridge.mass.usa.earth.spiral3281
+To: foo@@example.net, this@@example.net,
+ bob@@example.com
@end group
@end example
+@vindex user-full-name
+@vindex user-mail-address
+ The default contents of the @samp{From} header field are computed
+from the variables @code{user-full-name} and @code{user-mail-address}.
+On some operating systems, Emacs initializes these two variables using
+environment variables (@pxref{General Variables}). If this
+information is unavailable or wrong, you can customize the variables
+yourself (@pxref{Easy Customization}).
+
@vindex mail-from-style
- When you send the message, if you didn't write a @samp{From} field
-yourself, Emacs puts in one for you, using @code{user-mail-address}.
-The variable @code{mail-from-style} controls the format:
-
-@table @code
-@item nil
-Use just the email address, as in @samp{king@@grassland.com}.
-@item parens
-Use both email address and full name, as in:@*
+ The value of the variable @code{mail-from-style} specifies how to
+format the address in the @samp{From} field:
+
+@table @asis
+@item @code{nil}
+Use just the address, as in @samp{king@@grassland.com}.
+@item @code{parens}
+Use both address and full name, as in:@*
@samp{king@@grassland.com (Elvis Parsley)}.
-@item angles
-Use both email address and full name, as in:@*
+@item @code{angles}
+Use both address and full name, as in:@*
@samp{Elvis Parsley <king@@grassland.com>}.
-@item system-default
-Allow the system to insert the @samp{From} field.
+@item any other value
+Use @code{angles} for most addresses. However, if the address must be
+``quoted'' to remain syntactically-valid under the @code{angles}
+format but not under the @code{parens} format, use @code{parens}
+instead. This is the default.
@end table
@c There is also mail-specify-envelope-from and mail-envelope-from, but
@c these are probably not topics for the Emacs manual.
@vindex mail-default-headers
- You can direct Emacs to insert certain default headers into the
-outgoing message by setting the variable @code{mail-default-headers}
-to a string. Then @code{C-x m} inserts this string into the message
-headers. If the default header fields are not appropriate for a
+ You can direct Emacs to insert certain default headers into the mail
+buffer by setting the variable @code{mail-default-headers} to a
+string. Then @kbd{C-x m} inserts this string into the message
+headers. For example, here is how to add a @samp{Reply-to} and
+@samp{FCC} header to each message:
+
+@smallexample
+(setq mail-default-headers
+ "Reply-to: foo@@example.com\nFCC: ~/Mail/sent")
+@end smallexample
+
+@noindent
+If the default header fields are not appropriate for a
particular message, edit them as necessary before sending the message.
@node Mail Aliases
@cindex mail aliases
@cindex @file{.mailrc} file
@cindex mailrc file
+@vindex mail-personal-alias-file
- You can define @dfn{mail aliases} in a file named @file{~/.mailrc}.
-These are short mnemonic names which stand for mail addresses or groups of
-mail addresses. Like many other mail programs, Emacs expands aliases
-when they occur in the @samp{To}, @samp{From}, @samp{CC}, @samp{BCC}, and
-@samp{Reply-to} fields, plus their @samp{Resent-} variants.
-@c The list is defined by mail-address-field-regexp.
+ You can define @dfn{mail aliases}, which are short mnemonic names
+that stand for mail addresses or groups of mail addresses. By
+default, mail aliases are defined in the file @file{~/.mailrc}. You
+can specify a different file name to use, by setting the variable
+@code{mail-personal-alias-file}.
- To define an alias in @file{~/.mailrc}, write a line in the following
+ To define an alias in @file{.mailrc}, write a line in the following
format:
@example
-alias @var{shortaddress} @var{fulladdresses}
+alias @var{nick} @var{fulladdresses}
@end example
@noindent
-Here @var{fulladdresses} stands for one or more mail addresses for
-@var{shortaddress} to expand into. Separate multiple addresses with
-spaces; if an address contains a space, quote the whole address with a
-pair of double quotes.
-
-For instance, to make @code{maingnu} stand for
-@code{gnu@@gnu.org} plus a local address of your own, put in
+This means that @var{nick} should expand into @var{fulladdresses},
+where @var{fulladdresses} can be either a single address, or multiple
+addresses separated with spaces. For instance, to make @code{maingnu}
+stand for @code{gnu@@gnu.org} plus a local address of your own, put in
this line:@refill
@example
@end example
@noindent
-Addresses specified in this way should use double quotes around an
-entire address when the address contains spaces. But you need not
-include double quotes around parts of the address, such as the person's
-full name. Emacs puts them in if they are needed. For example,
+If an address contains a space, quote the whole address with a pair of
+double quotes, like this:
@example
alias jsmith "John Q. Smith <none@@example.com>"
@end example
@noindent
-is correct in @samp{.mailrc}. Emacs will insert the address as
+Note that you need not include double quotes around individual parts
+of the address, such as the person's full name. Emacs puts them in if
+they are needed. For instance, it inserts the above address as
@samp{"John Q. Smith" <none@@example.com>}.
- Emacs also recognizes ``include'' commands in @samp{.mailrc} files.
-They look like this:
+ Emacs also recognizes ``include'' commands in @file{.mailrc}. They
+look like this:
@example
source @var{filename}
@end example
@noindent
-The file @file{~/.mailrc} is used primarily by other mail-reading
-programs; it can contain various other commands. Emacs ignores
-everything in it except for alias definitions and include commands.
-
-@findex define-mail-alias
- Another way to define a mail alias, within Emacs alone, is with the
-@code{define-mail-alias} command. It prompts for the alias and then the
-full address. You can use it to define aliases in your @file{.emacs}
-file, like this:
-
-@example
-(define-mail-alias "maingnu" "gnu@@gnu.org")
-@end example
-
-@vindex mail-aliases
- @code{define-mail-alias} records aliases by adding them to a
-variable named @code{mail-aliases}. If you are comfortable with
-manipulating Lisp lists, you can set @code{mail-aliases} directly. The
-initial value of @code{mail-aliases} is @code{t}, which means that
-Emacs should read @file{.mailrc} to get the proper value.
-
-@vindex mail-personal-alias-file
- You can specify a different file name to use instead of
-@file{~/.mailrc} by setting the variable
-@code{mail-personal-alias-file}.
-
-@c There is also mail-alias-file for the system aliases.
+The @file{.mailrc} file is not unique to Emacs; many other
+mail-reading programs use it for mail aliases, and it can contain
+various other commands. However, Emacs ignores everything except
+alias definitions and include commands.
-@findex expand-mail-aliases
- Normally, Emacs expands aliases when you send the message. You do not
-need to expand mail aliases before sending the message, but you can
-expand them if you want to see where the mail will actually go. To do
-this, use the command @kbd{M-x expand-mail-aliases}; it expands all mail
-aliases currently present in the mail headers that hold addresses.
-
- If you like, you can have mail aliases expand as abbrevs, as soon as
-you type them in (@pxref{Abbrevs}). To enable this feature, execute the
-following:
-
-@example
-(add-hook 'mail-mode-hook 'mail-abbrevs-setup)
-@end example
-
-@noindent
-@findex define-mail-abbrev
-@vindex mail-abbrevs
-This can go in your @file{.emacs} file. @xref{Hooks}. If you use this
-feature, you must use @code{define-mail-abbrev} instead of
-@code{define-mail-alias}; the latter does not work with this package.
-Note that the mail abbreviation package uses the variable
-@code{mail-abbrevs} instead of @code{mail-aliases}, and that all alias
-names are converted to lower case.
-
-@kindex C-c C-a @r{(Mail mode)}
@findex mail-abbrev-insert-alias
- The mail abbreviation package also provides the @kbd{C-c C-a}
-(@code{mail-abbrev-insert-alias}) command, which reads an alias
-name (with completion) and inserts its definition at point. This is
-useful when editing the message text itself or a header field such as
-@samp{Subject} in which Emacs does not normally expand aliases.
-
- Note that abbrevs expand only if you insert a word-separator character
-afterward. However, you can rebind @kbd{C-n} and @kbd{M->} to cause
-expansion as well. Here's how to do that:
-
-@smallexample
-(add-hook 'mail-mode-hook
- (lambda ()
- (define-key
- mail-mode-map [remap next-line] 'mail-abbrev-next-line)
- (define-key
- mail-mode-map [remap end-of-buffer] 'mail-abbrev-end-of-buffer)))
-@end smallexample
-
-@node Mail Mode
-@section Mail Mode
-@cindex Mail mode
-@cindex mode, Mail
-
- The major mode used in the mail buffer is Mail mode, which is much
-like Text mode except that various special commands are provided on the
-@kbd{C-c} prefix. These commands all have to do specifically with
-editing or sending the message.
-
- Mail mode is normally used in buffers set up automatically by the
-@code{mail} command and related commands. However, you can also switch
-to Mail mode in a file-visiting buffer. This is a useful thing to do if
-you have saved the text of a draft message in a file.
+ Mail aliases expand as abbrevs---that is to say, as soon as you type
+a word-separator character after an alias (@pxref{Abbrevs}). This
+expansion takes place only within the @samp{To}, @samp{From},
+@samp{CC}, @samp{BCC}, and @samp{Reply-to} header fields (plus their
+@samp{Resent-} variants); it does not take place in other header
+fields, such as @samp{Subject}.
+
+ You can also insert an aliased address directly, using the command
+@kbd{M-x mail-abbrev-insert-alias}. This reads an alias name, with
+completion, and inserts its definition at point.
+
+@node Mail Commands
+@section Mail Commands
+@cindex Message mode
+@cindex mode, Message
+
+ The default major mode for the @samp{*mail*} buffer is called
+Message mode. It behaves like Text mode in many ways, but provides
+several additional commands on the @kbd{C-c} prefix, which make
+editing a message more convenient.
+
+ In this section, we will describe some of the most commonly-used
+commands available in Message mode.
+@ifnottex
+Message mode also has its own manual, where its features are described
+in greater detail. @xref{Top,,Message, message, Message}.
+@end ifnottex
@menu
* Mail Sending:: Commands to send the message.
* Header Editing:: Commands to move to header fields and edit them.
-* Citing Mail:: Copying all or part of a message you are replying to.
-* Mail Mode Misc:: Spell checking, signatures, etc.
+* Citing Mail:: Quoting a message you are replying to.
+* Mail Misc:: Attachments, spell checking, etc.
@end menu
@node Mail Sending
@subsection Mail Sending
- Mail mode has two commands for sending the message you have been
-editing:
+ There are two commands to send a message you have been editing:
@table @kbd
-@item C-c C-s
-Send the message, and leave the mail buffer selected (@code{mail-send}).
@item C-c C-c
-Send the message, and select some other buffer (@code{mail-send-and-exit}).
+Send the message, and deselect the mail buffer (@code{message-send-and-exit}).
+@item C-c C-s
+Send the message, and leave the mail buffer selected (@code{message-send}).
@end table
-@kindex C-c C-s @r{(Mail mode)}
-@kindex C-c C-c @r{(Mail mode)}
-@findex mail-send
-@findex mail-send-and-exit
-@vindex mail-send-hook
- @kbd{C-c C-s} (@code{mail-send}) sends the message and marks the mail
-buffer unmodified, but leaves that buffer selected so that you can
-modify the message (perhaps with new recipients) and send it again.
-@kbd{C-c C-c} (@code{mail-send-and-exit}) sends and then deletes the
-window or switches to another buffer. It puts the mail buffer at the
-lowest priority for reselection by default, since you are finished with
-using it. This is the usual way to send the message. Sending a message
-runs the hook @code{mail-send-hook}.
-
-@c Options not mentioned: mail-interactive, mail-use-dsn.
+@kindex C-c C-s @r{(Message mode)}
+@kindex C-c C-c @r{(Message mode)}
+@findex message-send
+ If you want to send a message and be done with it, type @kbd{C-c
+C-c} (@code{mail-send-and-exit}). This sends the message and then
+either deletes the window or switches to another buffer. It also
+``buries'' the mail buffer, putting it at the lowest priority for
+reselection. This is the usual command for sending a message.
+
+@findex message-send-and-exit
+ The command @kbd{C-c C-s} (@code{message-send}) sends the message
+and marks the mail buffer unmodified, but leaves the buffer selected.
+Use this command if you want to modify the message (perhaps with new
+recipients) and send it again.
+
+@vindex message-send-hook
+ Sending a message runs the hook @code{message-send-hook}.
In a file-visiting buffer, sending the message does not clear the
modified flag, because only saving the file should do that. Also, you
don't get a warning if you try to send the same message twice.
-@c This is indexed in mule.texi, node "Recognize Coding".
-@c @vindex sendmail-coding-system
- When you send a message that contains non-@acronym{ASCII} characters, they need
-to be encoded with a coding system (@pxref{Coding Systems}). Usually
-the coding system is specified automatically by your chosen language
-environment (@pxref{Language Environments}). You can explicitly specify
-the coding system for outgoing mail by setting the variable
-@code{sendmail-coding-system} (@pxref{Recognize Coding}).
-
- If the coding system thus determined does not handle the characters in
-a particular message, Emacs asks you to select the coding system to use,
+@vindex sendmail-coding-system
+ When you send a message containing non-@acronym{ASCII} characters,
+they need to be encoded with a coding system (@pxref{Coding Systems}).
+Usually the coding system is specified automatically by your chosen
+language environment (@pxref{Language Environments}). You can
+explicitly specify the coding system for outgoing mail by setting the
+variable @code{sendmail-coding-system} (@pxref{Recognize Coding}). If
+the coding system thus determined does not handle the characters in a
+particular message, Emacs asks you to select the coding system to use,
showing a list of possible coding systems.
-@c Not mentioned: mail-send-nonascii.
-
@cindex SMTP
@cindex Feedmail
@cindex Sendmail
@cindex Mailclient
@vindex send-mail-function
The variable @code{send-mail-function} controls how the default mail
-user agent sends mail. It should be set to a function. In most cases,
-the default is @code{sendmail-send-it}, which delivers mail using the
-Sendmail installation on the local host. On Mac OS X and MS-Windows,
-however, the default is normally @code{mailclient-send-it}, which
-passes the mail buffer on to the system's designated mail client (see
-@file{mailclient.el}). To send mail through an SMTP server, set
-@code{send-mail-function} to @code{smtpmail-send-it} and set up the
-Emacs SMTP library (@pxref{Top,,Emacs SMTP Library, smtpmail, Sending
-mail via SMTP}). Another option is @code{feedmail-send-it} (see the
-commentary section of the @file{feedmail.el} package).
+user agent sends mail. It should be set to a function. In most
+cases, the default is @code{sendmail-send-it}, which delivers mail
+using @command{sendmail} (or a @command{sendmail}-compatible program).
+On Mac OS X and MS-Windows, however, the default is normally
+@code{mailclient-send-it}, which passes the mail buffer on to the
+system's designated mail client (see @file{mailclient.el}). To send
+mail through an SMTP server, set @code{send-mail-function} to
+@code{smtpmail-send-it} and set up the Emacs SMTP library
+(@pxref{Top,,Emacs SMTP Library, smtpmail, Sending mail via SMTP}).
+Another option is @code{feedmail-send-it} (see the commentary section
+of the @file{feedmail.el} package).
@node Header Editing
@subsection Mail Header Editing
- Mail mode provides special commands to move to particular header
-fields and to complete addresses in headers.
+ Message mode provides the following special commands to move to
+particular header fields and to complete addresses in headers.
@table @kbd
@item C-c C-f C-t
-Move to the @samp{To} header field, creating one if there is none
-(@code{mail-to}).
+Move to the @samp{To} header (@code{message-goto-to}).
@item C-c C-f C-s
-Move to the @samp{Subject} header field, creating one if there is
-none (@code{mail-subject}).
+Move to the @samp{Subject} header (@code{message-goto-subject}).
@item C-c C-f C-c
-Move to the @samp{CC} header field, creating one if there is none
-(@code{mail-cc}).
+Move to the @samp{CC} header (@code{message-goto-cc}).
@item C-c C-f C-b
-Move to the @samp{BCC} header field, creating one if there is none
-(@code{mail-bcc}).
+Move to the @samp{BCC} header (@code{message-goto-bcc}).
@item C-c C-f C-r
-Move to the @samp{Reply-To} header field, creating one if there is none
-(@code{mail-reply-to}).
-@item C-c C-f C-a
-Move to the @samp{Mail-Reply-To} header field, creating one if there is none
-(@code{mail-mail-reply-to}).
-@item C-c C-f C-l
-Move to the @samp{Mail-Followup-To} header field, creating one if there is none
-(@code{mail-mail-followup-to}).
+Move to the @samp{Reply-To} header (@code{message-goto-reply-to}).
@item C-c C-f C-f
+Move to the @samp{Mail-Followup-To} header field
+(@code{message-goto-followup-to}).
+@item C-c C-f C-w
Add a new @samp{FCC} header field, with file-name completion
-(@code{mail-fcc}).
-@c There is also C-c C-v, mail-sent-via, which adds one or more
-@c "Sent-via" headers, but I don't know what the point of that header is.
-@item M-@key{TAB}
-Complete a mailing address (@code{mail-complete}).
+(@code{message-goto-fcc}).
+@item C-c C-b
+Move to the start of the message body (@code{message-goto-body}).
+@item @key{TAB}
+Complete a mailing address (@code{message-tab}).
@end table
-@kindex C-c C-f C-t @r{(Mail mode)}
-@findex mail-to
-@kindex C-c C-f C-s @r{(Mail mode)}
-@findex mail-subject
-@kindex C-c C-f C-c @r{(Mail mode)}
-@findex mail-cc
-@kindex C-c C-f C-b @r{(Mail mode)}
-@findex mail-bcc
-@kindex C-c C-f C-r @r{(Mail mode)}
-@findex mail-reply-to
-@kindex C-c C-f C-a @r{(Mail mode)}
-@findex mail-mail-reply-to
-@kindex C-c C-f C-l @r{(Mail mode)}
-@findex mail-mail-followup-to
-@kindex C-c C-f C-f @r{(Mail mode)}
-@findex mail-fcc
- There are several commands to move point to particular header fields,
-all based on the prefix @kbd{C-c C-f} (@samp{C-f} is for ``field'').
-They are listed in the table above. If the field in question does not
-exist, these commands create one (the exception is @code{mail-fcc},
-which creates a new field each time). We provide special motion
-commands for these particular fields because they are the fields users
-most often want to edit.
-
-@findex mail-complete
-@kindex M-TAB @r{(Mail mode)}
-@c `mail-complete-alist' specifies the headers.
- While editing a header field that contains mailing addresses, such
-as @samp{To:}, @samp{CC:} and @samp{BCC:}, you can complete a mailing
-address by typing @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} (@code{mail-complete}). It
-inserts the full name corresponding to the address, if it can
-determine the full name. The variable @code{mail-complete-style}
-controls whether to insert the full name, and what style to use, as in
-@code{mail-from-style} (@pxref{Mail Headers}). (If your window
-manager defines @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} to switch windows, you can type
-@kbd{@key{ESC} @key{TAB}} or @kbd{C-M-i}.)
-
- For completion purposes, the valid mailing addresses are taken to be
-the local users' names plus your personal mail aliases (@pxref{Mail
-Aliases}). You can specify additional sources of valid addresses;
-browse the customization group @samp{mailalias} to see the variables for
-customizing this feature (@pxref{Customization Groups}).
-
- If you type @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} in the body of the message, or on a
-unrecognized header, @code{mail-complete} invokes the function specified
-by @code{mail-complete-function}. By default, this is
-@code{ispell-complete-word}, as in Text mode.
+@kindex C-c C-f C-t @r{(Message mode)}
+@findex message-goto-to
+@kindex C-c C-f C-s @r{(Message mode)}
+@findex message-goto-subject
+@kindex C-c C-f C-c @r{(Message mode)}
+@findex message-goto-cc
+@kindex C-c C-f C-b @r{(Message mode)}
+@findex message-goto-bcc
+@kindex C-c C-f C-r @r{(Message mode)}
+@findex goto-reply-to
+@kindex C-c C-f C-f @r{(Message mode)}
+@findex goto-followup-to
+@kindex C-c C-f C-w @r{(Message mode)}
+@findex message-goto-fcc
+ The commands to move point to particular header fields are all based
+on the prefix @kbd{C-c C-f} (@samp{C-f} is for ``field''). If the
+field in question does not exist, the command creates one (the
+exception is @code{mail-fcc}, which creates a new field each time).
+
+@kindex C-c C-b @r{(Message mode)}
+@findex mail-text
+ The command @kbd{C-c C-b} (@code{message-goto-body}) moves point to
+just after the header separator line---that is, to the beginning of
+the body.
+
+@findex message-tab
+@kindex TAB @r{(Message mode)}
+ While editing a header field that contains addresses, such as
+@samp{To:}, @samp{CC:} and @samp{BCC:}, you can complete an address by
+typing @key{TAB} (@code{message-tab}). This attempts to insert the
+full name corresponding to the address based on a couple of methods,
+including EUDC, a library that recognizes a number of directory server
+protocols (@pxref{Top,,EUDC,eudc, The Emacs Unified Directory
+Client}). Failing that, it attempts to expand the address as a mail
+alias (@pxref{Mail Aliases}). If point is on a header field that does
+not take addresses, or if it is in the message body, then @key{TAB}
+just inserts a tab character.
@node Citing Mail
@subsection Citing Mail
@cindex citing mail
- Mail mode also has commands for yanking or @dfn{citing} all or part of
-a message that you are replying to. These commands are active only when
-you started sending a message using an Rmail command.
-
@table @kbd
@item C-c C-y
-Yank the selected message from Rmail (@code{mail-yank-original}).
-@item C-c C-r
-Yank the region from the Rmail buffer (@code{mail-yank-region}).
+Yank the selected message from Rmail (@code{message-yank-original}).
@item C-c C-q
Fill each paragraph cited from another message
-(@code{mail-fill-yanked-message}).
-@c There is also mail-split-line, but it does not seem very useful.
+(@code{message-fill-yanked-message}).
@end table
-@kindex C-c C-y @r{(Mail mode)}
-@findex mail-yank-original
- When mail sending is invoked from the Rmail mail reader using an Rmail
-command, @kbd{C-c C-y} can be used inside the mail buffer to insert the
-text of the message you are replying to. Normally it indents each line
-of that message three spaces and eliminates most header fields (as
-specified by the variable @code{mail-yank-ignored-headers}). A numeric
-argument specifies the number of spaces to indent (the variable
-@code{mail-indentation-spaces} specifies the default number). An
-argument of just @kbd{C-u} says not to indent at all and not to
-eliminate anything. @kbd{C-c C-y} always uses the current message from
-the Rmail buffer, so you can insert several old messages by selecting
-one in Rmail, switching to @samp{*mail*} and yanking it, then switching
-back to Rmail to select another.
-
-@vindex mail-yank-prefix
- You can specify the text for @kbd{C-c C-y} to insert at the beginning
-of each line: set @code{mail-yank-prefix} to the desired string. (A
-value of @code{nil} means to use indentation; this is the default.)
-However, @kbd{C-u C-c C-y} never adds anything at the beginning of the
-inserted lines, regardless of the value of @code{mail-yank-prefix}.
-
-@kindex C-c C-r @r{(Mail mode)}
-@findex mail-yank-region
- To yank just a part of an incoming message, set the region in Rmail to
-the part you want; then go to the @samp{*Mail*} message and type
-@kbd{C-c C-r} (@code{mail-yank-region}). Each line that is copied is
-indented or prefixed according to @code{mail-yank-prefix}.
-
-@kindex C-c C-q @r{(Mail mode)}
+@kindex C-c C-y @r{(Message mode)}
+@findex message-yank-original
+@findex message-yank-prefix
+ You can use the command @kbd{C-c C-y} (@code{message-yank-original})
+to @dfn{cite} a message that you are replying to. This inserts the
+text of that message into the mail buffer. This command is active
+only when the mail buffer is invoked from a mail program running in
+Emacs, such as Rmail.
+
+ By default, Emacs inserts the string @samp{>} in front of each line
+of the cited text; this prefix string is specified by the variable
+@code{message-yank-prefix}. If you call @code{message-yank-original}
+with a prefix argument, the citation prefix is not inserted.
+
+@kindex C-c C-q @r{(Message mode)}
@findex mail-fill-yanked-message
- After using @kbd{C-c C-y} or @kbd{C-c C-r}, you can type @kbd{C-c C-q}
-(@code{mail-fill-yanked-message}) to fill the paragraphs of the yanked
-old message or messages. One use of @kbd{C-c C-q} fills all such
-paragraphs, each one individually. To fill a single paragraph of the
-quoted message, use @kbd{M-q}. If filling does not automatically
-handle the type of citation prefix you use, try setting the fill prefix
+ After using @kbd{C-c C-y}, you can type @kbd{C-c C-q}
+(@code{message-fill-yanked-message}) to fill the paragraphs of the
+cited message. One use of @kbd{C-c C-q} fills all such paragraphs,
+each one individually. To fill a single paragraph of the quoted
+message, use @kbd{M-q}. If filling does not automatically handle the
+type of citation prefix you use, try setting the fill prefix
explicitly. @xref{Filling}.
@vindex mail-citation-hook
package, which provides more flexible citation
(@pxref{Introduction,,,sc, Supercite}).
-@c No need to mention: mail-citation-prefix-regexp.
+@node Mail Misc
+@subsection Mail Miscellany
-@node Mail Mode Misc
-@subsection Mail Mode Miscellany
-
-@table @kbd
-@item C-c C-t
-Move to the beginning of the message body text (@code{mail-text}).
-@item C-c C-w
-Insert a signature at the end of the message text (@code{mail-signature}).
-@item C-c C-i @var{file} @key{RET}
-Insert the contents of @var{file} at the end of the message text
-(@code{mail-attach-file}).
-@item M-x ispell-message
-Perform spelling correction on the message text, but not on citations from
-other messages, or the message headers.
-@end table
+@kindex C-c C-a @r{(Message mode)}
+@findex mail-attach-file
+@cindex MIME
+@cindex Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions
+ You can @dfn{attach} a file to an outgoing message by typing
+@kbd{C-c C-a} (@code{mml-attach-file}) in the mail buffer. Attaching
+is done using the MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions)
+standard.
+
+ The @code{mml-attach-file} command prompts for the name of the file,
+and for the attachment's @dfn{content type}, @dfn{description}, and
+@dfn{disposition}. The content type is normally detected
+automatically; just type @key{RET} to accept the default. The
+description is a single line of text that the recipient will see next
+to the attachment; you may also choose to leave this empty. The
+disposition is either @samp{inline} (the default), which means the
+recipient will see a link to the attachment within the message body,
+or @samp{attachment}, which means the link will be separate from the
+body.
+
+ The actual contents of the attached file are not inserted into the
+mail buffer. Instead, some placeholder text is inserted into the mail
+buffer, like this:
-@kindex C-c C-t @r{(Mail mode)}
-@findex mail-text
- @kbd{C-c C-t} (@code{mail-text}) moves point to just after the header
-separator line---that is, to the beginning of the message body text.
+@smallexample
+<#part type="text/plain" filename="~/foo.txt" disposition=inline>
+<#/part>
+@end smallexample
-@kindex C-c C-w @r{(Mail mode)}
-@findex mail-signature
-@vindex mail-signature
- @kbd{C-c C-w} (@code{mail-signature}) adds a standard piece of text
-(your @dfn{mail signature}) at the end of the message to say more about who
-you are. For example, it may contain telephone numbers, or your
-physical location. The text comes from the variable
-@code{mail-signature}. It can be a fixed string, or a Lisp expression
-that returns a string. If it is @code{t} or @code{nil}, the function
-inserts the contents of the file @code{mail-signature-file}. By
-default, this is the file @file{~/.signature} in your home directory.
-
- If the variable @code{mail-signature} has a non-@code{nil} value,
-starting a mail automatically inserts your signature. Otherwise, you
-must explicitly use the command @code{mail-signature}. If you want to
-omit your signature from a particular message, just delete it from the
-buffer before you send the message.
-
- Convention says that the start of your signature should be marked by a
-line whose contents are @samp{-- }. If your signature comes from a
-file, this prefix is added for you, but in all other cases you must add
-it yourself. The remainder of your signature should be no more than
-four lines.
+@noindent
+When you type @kbd{C-c C-c} or @kbd{C-c C-s} to send the message, the
+attached file will be delivered with it.
@findex ispell-message
- You can do spelling correction on the message text you have written
-with the command @kbd{M-x ispell-message}. If you have yanked an
-incoming message into the outgoing draft, this command skips what was
-yanked, but it checks the text that you yourself inserted. (It looks
-for indentation or @code{mail-yank-prefix} to distinguish the cited
-lines from your input.) @xref{Spelling}.
-
-@kindex C-c C-i @r{(Mail mode)}
-@findex mail-attach-file
- To include a file in the outgoing message, you can use @kbd{C-x i},
-the usual command to insert a file in the current buffer. But it is
-often more convenient to use a special command, @kbd{C-c C-i}
-(@code{mail-attach-file}). This command inserts the file contents at
-the end of the buffer, after your signature (if any), with a delimiter
-line that includes the file name. Note that this is not a MIME
-attachment.
+ While composing a message, you can do spelling correction on the
+message text by typing @kbd{M-x ispell-message}. If you have yanked
+an incoming message into the outgoing draft, this command skips what
+was yanked, but it checks the text that you yourself inserted (it
+looks for indentation or @code{mail-yank-prefix} to distinguish the
+cited lines from your input). @xref{Spelling}.
@vindex mail-mode-hook
@vindex mail-setup-hook
- Turning on Mail mode (which @kbd{C-x m} does automatically) runs the
-normal hooks @code{text-mode-hook} and @code{mail-mode-hook}.
+ Turning on Message mode (which @kbd{C-x m} does automatically) runs
+the normal hooks @code{text-mode-hook} and @code{message-mode-hook}.
Initializing a new outgoing message runs the normal hook
-@code{mail-setup-hook}; if you want to add special fields to your mail
-header or make other changes to the appearance of the mail buffer, use
-that hook. @xref{Hooks}.
+@code{message-setup-hook}; you can use this hook if you want to make
+changes to the appearance of the mail buffer. @xref{Hooks}.
The main difference between these hooks is just when they are
-invoked. Whenever you type @kbd{M-x mail}, @code{mail-mode-hook} runs
-as soon as the @samp{*mail*} buffer is created. Then the
-@code{mail-setup} function inserts the default contents of the buffer.
-After these default contents are inserted, @code{mail-setup-hook} runs.
-
- If you use @kbd{M-x mail} to continue an existing composition,
-@code{mail-mode-hook} runs immediately after switching to the
-@samp{*mail*} buffer. If the buffer is unmodified, or if you decide to
-erase it and start again, @code{mail-setup-hook} runs after the default
-contents are inserted.
+invoked. Whenever you type @kbd{C-x m}, @code{message-mode-hook} runs
+as soon as the mail buffer is created. Then the @code{message-setup}
+function inserts the default contents of the buffer. After these
+default contents are inserted, @code{message-setup-hook} runs.
+
+ If you use @kbd{C-x m} to continue an existing composition,
+@code{message-mode-hook} runs immediately after switching to the mail
+buffer. If the buffer is unmodified, or if you decide to erase it and
+start again, @code{message-setup-hook} runs after the default contents
+are inserted.
+
+@node Mail Signature
+@section Mail Signature
+
+@cindex mail signature
+@vindex mail-signature-file
+@vindex mail-signature
+ You can add a standard piece of text---your @dfn{mail
+signature}---to the end of every message. This signature may contain
+information such as your telephone number or your physical location.
+The variable @code{mail-signature} determines how Emacs handles the
+mail signature.
+
+ The default value of @code{mail-signature} is @code{t}; this means
+to look for your mail signature in the file @file{~/.signature}. If
+this file exists, its contents are automatically inserted into the end
+of the mail buffer. You can change the signature file via the
+variable @code{mail-signature-file}.
+
+ If you change @code{mail-signature} to a string, that specifies the
+text of the signature directly.
+
+@kindex C-c C-w @r{(Message mode)}
+@findex message-insert-signature
+ If you change @code{mail-signature} to @code{nil}, Emacs will not
+insert your mail signature automatically. You can insert your mail
+signature by typing @kbd{C-c C-w} (@code{message-insert-signature}) in
+the mail buffer. Emacs will look for your signature in the signature
+file.
+
+ By convention, a mail signature should be marked by a line whose
+contents are @samp{-- }. If your signature lacks this prefix, it is
+added for you. The remainder of your signature should be no more than
+four lines.
@node Mail Amusements
@section Mail Amusements
@node Mail Methods
@section Mail-Composition Methods
@cindex mail-composition methods
+@cindex Mail mode
+@cindex mode, Mail
@cindex MH mail interface
@cindex Message mode for sending mail
In this chapter we have described the usual Emacs mode for editing
-and sending mail---Mail mode. Emacs has alternative facilities for
-editing and sending mail, including
-MH-E and Message mode, not documented in this manual.
-@xref{Top,,MH-E,mh-e, The Emacs Interface to MH}. @xref{Top,,Message,message,
-Message Manual}. You can choose any of them as your preferred method.
-The commands @code{C-x m}, @code{C-x 4 m} and @code{C-x 5 m} use
-whichever agent you have specified, as do various other Emacs commands
-and facilities that send mail.
+and sending mail---Message mode. This is only one of several
+available modes. Prior to Emacs 23.2, the default mode was Mail mode,
+which is similar to Message mode in many respects but lacks features
+such as MIME support. Another available mode is MH-E
+(@pxref{Top,,MH-E,mh-e, The Emacs Interface to MH}).
@vindex mail-user-agent
- To specify your mail-composition method, customize the variable
-@code{mail-user-agent}. Currently legitimate values include
-@code{sendmail-user-agent} (Mail mode), @code{mh-e-user-agent},
-@code{message-user-agent} and @code{gnus-user-agent}.
+ You can choose any of these @dfn{mail user agents} as your preferred
+method for editing and sending mail. The commands @code{C-x m},
+@code{C-x 4 m} and @code{C-x 5 m} use whichever agent you have
+specified; so do various other parts of Emacs that send mail, such as
+the bug reporter (@pxref{Bugs}). To specify a mail user agent,
+customize the variable @code{mail-user-agent}. Currently, legitimate
+values include @code{message-user-agent} (Message mode)
+@code{sendmail-user-agent} (Mail mode), @code{gnus-user-agent}, and
+@code{mh-e-user-agent}.
If you select a different mail-composition method, the information
-in this chapter about the @samp{*mail*} buffer and Mail mode does not
-apply; the other methods use a different format of text in a different
+in this chapter about the mail buffer and Message mode does not apply;
+the other methods use a different format of text in a different
buffer, and their commands are different as well.
@vindex read-mail-command