Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!ukma!xanth!lll-winken!csd4.milw.wisc.edu!jgd@csd4.milw.wisc.edu From: jgd@csd4.milw.wisc.edu (John G Dobnick,EMS E380,4142295727,) Newsgroups: comp.mail.elm Subject: Re: New Elm behavior Message-ID: <2662@csd4.milw.wisc.edu> Date: 28 May 89 23:43:10 GMT References: <137@dsinc.DSI.COM> Sender: news@csd4.milw.wisc.edu Lines: 46 From article <137@dsinc.DSI.COM>, by syd@dsinc.DSI.COM (Syd Weinstein): > Ok, we have another full blown feature problem here, where a bug being > fixed will break another user appearance. [... explaination deleted...] > So, here is a full blown item to discuss, as we also will be doing so > on the development group. I will hold off patch 9 until a solution is > reached, thus if you back out patch 8, you won't miss anything. A few generalized comments. Firstly, I now understand what we are *really* talking about. (Thanks, Rob and Syd, for your messages.) The so-called "builtin editor" is *not* an editor at all, but rather a "text insertion mode". The terminology is confusing -- at least *I* was confused. (I somehow got the impression that the "builtin editor" was a *real* editor. Silly me.) Secondly, I do not have a solution to the signature inclusion problem. One possibility, and this may well be the proper way to go, is to use only *one* signature file, for all address forms. This will certainly simplify things. Thirdly, on the subject of whether to integrate PL 8 and live with the new behavior *and* be able to accept future patches, or freeze at PL 7 and forego future fixes (an idea I don't particularly like)... In PL 9, "ifdef" the signature inclusion code such that a compiletime parameter will select either the old or new method of inclusion. Modify the "configure" script to ask which method the site prefers. This will 1) allow a site to select its preference, and 2) allow a site to continue to apply future patches. [No, I have no idea how much work this will be. Sounds like it is the only way to keep everyone happy, though. *And* still allow us to keep Elm at "current" patch levels.] Thanks for your support -- John G Dobnick Computing Services Division @ University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee INTERNET: jgd@csd4.milw.wisc.edu UUCP: !uwvax!uwmcsd1!jgd "Knowing how things work is the basis for appreciation, and is thus a source of civilized delight." -- William Safire