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From: u3369429@murdu.OZ (Michael Bednarek)
Newsgroups: comp.os.vms
Subject: re: DEC Mail Utility Madness (Summary of answers)
Message-ID: <1316@murdu.OZ>
Date: Wed, 21-Oct-87 01:41:02 EDT
Article-I.D.: murdu.1316
Posted: Wed Oct 21 01:41:02 1987
Date-Received: Fri, 23-Oct-87 06:10:20 EDT
Organization: I.A.E.S.R., Melbourne University
Lines: 59

Inferring from the speed and number of responses to my question about
MAIL and EDT, it seems that my problem was an easy one.

My problem was:
>>How would one define MAIL$EDIT so that the whatever/EDIT commands would work?
> 
>That is, how to send AND read mail using the same editor interface, not just
>the same editor.

The solution is:
 o Have MAIL$EDIT undefined or defined as CALLABLE_EDT, e.g.:
   DEFINE MAIL$EDIT CALLABLE_EDT
 o Have EDTINI defined as your EDT startup file, e.g.:
   DEFINE EDTINI COM_LIB:OUR_EDT.STARTUP

A very good discussion about EDT and startup files can be found through:
  HELP EDIT /EDT /COMMAND

In some of the mail I received, I also got lectured about the ambiguous
wording of my posting. I agree completely. In fact, I was aware of the
rule: "State your problem, not what you think the solution might be"
and loathed a number of postings to this newsgroup because they failed to
follow this rule. And still, I ran into that very trap.
So, here are a few sentences which should probably appear whenever one is
about to post a message to comp.os.vms/INFO-VAX:

"And now, once more with feeling, a message to all who would ask questions on
"the net:  Please, please, DON'T assume you understand exactly where or what
"your problem "really" is.  If you did, you would most likely already know the
"answer.  Don't ask "How can I change my editor" when what you are trying to
"do is change your initialization file!  Describe the PROBLEM you are having,
"NOT what you think the solution is, or ought to be.  You are more likely to
"get a useful response.  Also, READ THE RESPONSES YOU GET.  What you want to
"do may be impossible!  If your responses tend in that direction, don't assume
"everyone is out to get you or is just ignoring your question.  Maybe you
"haven't phrased your question in way that can be answered.  Maybe you haven't
"provided all the information needed for someone to provide you with an answer.
"Try again if you think you can provide more information - and take it as a
"lesson in question phrasing for the next time.

Thanks to all who took he time to mail me. In order of appearance:
MVAX::DIRK (Dirk van der Knijff)
JIMR@METRO (Jim Richardson)
SIT.BUSH@CU20B.COLUMBIA.EDU (Nick Bush)
BOTMAN@HLERUL5.BITNET (Carlo Mekenkamp)
IUS%DACTH51.BITNET@CUVMA.COLUMBIA.EDU (el)
LEICHTER@VENUS.YCC.YALE.EDU (Jerry Leichter)
BSU-CS!CFCHIESA@MUNNARI (Chris Chiesa)

I also would like to thank these people for doing the right thing, i.e.
sending mail to me, rather than posting to the net.

Michael Bednarek
Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research (IAESR)
Melbourne University, Parkville 3052, AUSTRALIA, Phone : +61 3 344 5744
Domain: u3369429@{murdu.oz.au | ucsvc.dn.mu.oz.au}  or  mb@munnari.oz.au
"bang": ...UUNET.UU.NET!munnari!{murdu.oz | ucsvc.dn.mu.oz}!u3369429

"POST NO BILLS."