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diff --git a/docs/source/faq.rst b/docs/source/faq.rst new file mode 100644 index 00000000..23dc82c2 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/source/faq.rst @@ -0,0 +1,66 @@ +FAQ +*** + +1. Why reinvent the wheel? Why not extend an existing MUA to work nicely with notmuch? + + alot makes use of existing solutions where possible: It does not fetch, send or edit + mails; it lets `notmuch <http://notmuchmail.org>`_ handle your mailindex and uses a + `toolkit <http://excess.org/urwid/>`_ to render its display. You are responsible for + `automatic initial tagging <http://notmuchmail.org/initial_tagging/>`_. + + This said, there are few CLI MUAs that could be easily and naturally adapted to using notmuch. + Rebuilding an interface from scratch using `friendly and extensible tools <http://www.python.org/>`_ + seemed easier and more promising. + +2. What's with the snotty name? + + It's not meant to be presumptuous. I like the dichotomy; I like to picture the look on + someone's face who reads the :mailheader:`X-MAILER` flag "notmuch/alot"; I like cookies; I like + `this comic strip <http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/04/alot-is-better-than-you-at-everything.html>`_. + +3. I want feature X! + + Me too! Feel free to file a new or comment on existing + `issues <https://github.com/pazz/alot/issue>`_ if you don't want/have the time/know how to + implement it yourself. Be verbose as to how it should look or work when it's finished and + give it some thought how you think we should implement it. We'll discuss it from there. + +4. Why are the default key bindings so counter-intuitive? + + Be aware that the bindings for all modes are :doc:`fully configurable <configuration`. + That said, I choose the bindings to be natural for me. I use `vim <http://vim.org>`_ and + `pentadactyl <http://dactyl.sourceforge.net/pentadactyl/>`_ a lot. However, I'd be + interested in discussing the defaults. If you think your bindings are more intuitive or + better suited as defaults for some reason, don't hesitate to send me your config. The same + holds for the theme settings you use. Tell me. Let's improve the defaults. + +5. Help! I don't see `text/html` content! + + better: How do I properly set up an inline renderer for `text/html`? + Try `w3m <http://w3m.sourceforge.net/>`_ and put the following into your + :file:`~/.mailcap`:: + + text/html; w3m -dump -o document_charset=%{charset} '%s'; nametemplate=%s.html; copiousoutput + + Most `text based browsers <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Text-based_web_browser>`_ have + a dump mode that can be used here. + +6. Why are you $THIS not $THAT way? + + Lazyness and Ignorance: In most cases I simply did not or still don't know a better solution. + I try to outsource as much as I can to well established libraries and be it only to avoid + having to read rfc's. But there are lots + of tasks I implemented myself, possibly overlooking a ready made and available solution. + Twisted is such a feature-rich but gray area in my mind for example. + If you think you know how to improve the current implementation let me know! + + The few exceptions to above stated rule are the following: + + * CLI option parsing is done using twisted.usage.Options, and not (as e.g. in-app command parsing) + via argparse. The reason is that argparse does not yet offer optional subcommands. + * The modules cmd and cmd2, that handle all sorts of convenience around command objects + hate urwid: They are painfully strongly coupled to user in/output via stdin and out. + * `notmuch reply` is not used to format reply messages because 1. it is not offered by + notmuch's library but is a feature of the CLI. This means we would have to call the notmuch + binary, something that is avoided where possible. 2. As there is no `notmuch forward` equivalent, + this (very similar) functionality would have to be re-implemented anyway. diff --git a/docs/source/index.rst b/docs/source/index.rst index 47dacf3e..7b9203e3 100644 --- a/docs/source/index.rst +++ b/docs/source/index.rst @@ -15,3 +15,4 @@ User Manual usage/index configuration/index api/index + faq |