[comp.mail.elm] How to install and use autoreply...

rudolf@curano.acadch.com (Rudolf Kuenzli) (01/06/91)

Several times the question how to install and use ELM's autoreply
feature did show up on the net. I'll try to give a brief summary here.

1. Make sure 'arepdaemon' will start when your system boots. Best way to
   accomplish this is adding following line to your /etc/rc or
   /etc/rc.local:

   /usr/local/bin/arepdaemon &

   This daemon must run with uid 'root'!

2. Create text file with your favorite editor with a message i.e. like
   the following one in your home directory:

   "Because of absence until mm/dd/yy I will not be able to read your
    mail immediately. As soon as I will be back your message will be read
    and answered."

   Let's assume you name this file 'absence.text'

3. Assume you will activate autoreply now you simply enter:
   autoreply absence.text<cr>

   You will see the following message:
   "You've been added to the autoreply system."

4. Since 'arepdaemon' is verifying once an hour if mail have arrived for
   one of 'his useres' an 'autoreply' with the text 'absence.text' will
   be generated using 'fastmail'. Be patient during your tests
   'arepdaemon' is really only checking once an hour. You may speed up
   this with modifying the source in 'arepdaem.c' by setting SLEEP-TIME
   to another value (default is 3600 seconds).

5. 'autoreply off' simply turn the whole thing off with the message:
   "You've been removed from the autoreply table."

5. 'autoreply' without parameter will display your current autoreply
   status.

These are all necessary steps to be performed to run the autoreply
system succesfully. Please apologize all grammar & spelling errors plus
the typos...

-- 
Don Curano The Magician 		  In real life: Rudolf Kuenzli
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