Sociology at Duke: Computer Technical Assistance

Mutt

Mutt (so-named because many of its features are mongrelized from other email clients) is a small, UNIX-based email client on which work began about 1996. Much of the development work and support appears to be based in Germany where this client has the strongest following. The user interface in its vanilla form is similar to elm, the client on which much of the initial code for mutt was based.

As installed on the Sociology system, Mutt is configured to support IMAP access of user mailboxes and folders. Basic use is possible simply by logging on to angst and typing "mutt" at the UNIX prompt. You are prompted for your UNIX password to authenicate to the email server and your mailbox should open in an index window that is similar to what elm users see. The basic keymappings for reading, composing, sending, printing and saving mail are the same as those of elm. The editor used for composing messages is emacs, the same editor used with elm. For detailed information on use and configuration, please consult the mutt user guide.

This client is intended to serve the needs of elm users who want an email client with similar functionality. Most of the basic issues are covered by the default configuration, but setting up aliases (your address book) and printing may require your attention.

Aliases -- If you use elm aliases they may be converted to a form that is usable by mutt with the following command that is entered from the UNIX command line:

elmalias -u -f "alias %a\t%n\t<%v>" > $HOME/.mutt.aliases This command writes a new alias file called .mutt.aliases in your home directory. To make this file available to mutt, create a file in your home directory called .muttrc and place the following line in it: source ~/.mutt.aliases This will cause mutt to read your alias list at startup, making available the nicknames contained within it.

Printing -- By default the mutt print command (p) will send output to the second floor network printer in the copy room. You can override this setting by putting your own specification into the .muttrc file. Use only one of the following settings to override the default print location:

set print_command="lpr -Pclus" (sends to Room 135 cluster printer) set print_command="lpr -Pcopy3" (sends to third floor network printer) set print_command="lpr -Plang" (sends to Languages Bldg network printer) If you use a dedicated PC running Windows NT to which you have a local printer attached, this setup may be configured to receive mail printout. This requires special configuration that must be arranged with Bob Jackson.

Last Updated: January 19, 2000
Bob Jackson