MReply 1.71

Section-Update: 28 Nov 94

MReply is written by Tor Slettnes (tor@netcom.com).

Unusual features

MReply is an interesting little package, sort of a construction kit for MLM's. One of its big advantages is that it requires no root access to be set up (though you would like to have new aliases set up, and that has to involve your system's mail administrator), and that it allows almost total flexibility in how the lists are run. This second feature could also act as a disadvantage, if you make some change to an MReply script that causes mail to bounce oddly, for example. You shouldn't have to change much, though; MReply comes with sample scripts that probably are enough to get you started. (These samples are endearing in that they open every reply from the server with "Hi, Norm"---at least if your name is Norm, and mine is :-) ) Finally, MReply lets you define your own commands if you choose (makes sense, since the sample configuration files you start with are what define the "standard" commands in the first place).

Features for users

MReply includes the standard subscribe, unsubscribe, get, and archive index features, as well as automatic uuencoding, shar'ing, and splitting of outgoing files and the ability to apply uudecode to incoming files.

Features for administrators

MReply tries to filter administrative requests from distribution to the mailing list, and it also includes minimalist mail-loop detection and blocking.

Mailing lists and other information resources

Subscribe to the MReply users list by sending "subscribe mreply-list" in the body of a message to mreply-request@netcom.com. For more information on using MReply, send "help" in the body of a message to the same address.

System requirements

MReply runs under most Unix systems. To compile it from the source you'll need a C compiler.

Cost and licensing

How to get it

Get the source from ftp://ftp.netcom.com/pub/to/tor/mreply/.