ELM is a mail system that can be run on any UNIX based machine. It was created for users with text only shell accounts.
It has settings for Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced users. Depending on the setting you choose you get different views of the main screen. The screens differ by what functions the user is shown. All functions are available at each user setting, but the theory is that if you are a beginner, you probably will only use what you see.
The main screen presents you with a header line from each of your current messages. To go from message to message, you can use the arrow keys or just type in the message number you want to go to. If you want to view the selected message, you can press enter. Then the message will show up on the screen. The message will be displayed on the screen using the application of your choice. I use the
The components of ELM are highly customizable. Just as the program that displays the message is the users choice, the editor to be used is up to the user. This ensures the user is comfortable using the application.
The main feature that the mailer is missing is the ability to add attachments. Now that more and more people are discussing problems over e-mail, the mailers need to be able to transfer files. ELM can send text files, but it cannot transfer binary.
This can be done two different ways.
1) When you are in ELM's main screen, you can press the
After you are done the typing the letter, you exit your editor, and confirm you want to send the message by pressing
2) You can send an e-mail message from the UNIX command prompt. This can be done by typing:
Task 2) Create a mailing List
To create a mailing list, you have to setup an alias with multiple addresses. Setting up an alias is explained further in Task 4.
Task 3) Send a message with an attachment
ELM does not support attachments. The only way to attach files with elm is to add them to the message portion of your e-mail. This of course makes it very difficult to send binary files.
Task 4) Create a user alias
ELM does support aliases. I found the creation of an alias a confusing process. After I was finally able to create the alias correctly, it would not accept it.
I found out that there were two methods of leaving the alias screen. If you left it by 'exiting' then none of the new aliases would take effect. If you left it by 'returning' then the new aliases would be read. Other than this, I see no other reason for two methods of leaving that screen.
Task 5) Forward and reply to a message
Forwarding a message: To forward a message you simply press
Replying to a message: To reply to a message is just as easy. After you highlight the appropriate message, you press the
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Usability Study
Task 1) Create and send an e-mail message M key to create a new message. It prompts you for the users login ID, the subject, and who to send a carbon copy to. After this information has been inputted, an editor is opened. ELM does not have their own proprietary editor. You can choose which one you want to use. I have it set up to use the editor I am most familiar with, this is emacs. s.
After this information is typed in, you will be asked to enter the subject, and the names of anybody who needs a carbon copy. If you choose to include a file, the file will be brought up in the editor, so that you can make any last minute modifications. When you exit the editor, you will be required to verify that you want to send it. You will then be returned to the UNIX prompt. elm [-I "file to include"] "recipient ID"
f when you have the appropriate message highlighted. One feature I like is if you do not want to edit the message you are forwarding, you don't need to. This saves time when you need to forward a lot of messages. However, if you do decide to edit the message, it will be brought up in your editor.r key. You will then be brought into the editor, and you can make whatever notes you deem necessary.