On Thu, 11 Jul 2002, at 4:32pm, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> Can someone explain exactly what M-F-T is *supposed* to do.

  *sigh*  Did this forum become write-only when I wasn't looking?  :)

  http://cr.yp.to/proto/replyto.html

  In a public forum like this one, there are at least two types of "reply"
one might want to make.  One is a broadcast reply to the group (often called
a "followup").  The other is a private reply to the author.  Unfortunately,
the only available standard header is "Reply-To", so the distinction cannot
be made.

  Hence, the addition of two new headers: Mail-Followup-To and
Mail-Reply-To.  M-F-T designates the address to use when making a broadcast
reply to the group.  M-R-T designates the address to use when making a
private reply to the author.  Additionally, the M-R-T header overrides the
standard Reply-To header.

  The idea is that the list address will be given for Mail-Followup-To and
Reply-To, and the author's personal address be given for Mail-Reply-To.  For 
example:

              From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
                To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
          Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
  Mail-Followup-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
     Mail-Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]

  Legacy software which does not support M-F-T or M-R-T will see the
"Reply-To" header, and reply to the group (which is the nominal point of a
discussion forum in the first place).  New software will see the newer 
headers, and offer "Reply to group" and "Reply to author" functions, and 
also know to ignore the "Reply-To" header.

-- 
Ben Scott <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
| The opinions expressed in this message are those of the author and do not |
| necessarily represent the views or policy of any other person, entity or  |
| organization.  All information is provided without warranty of any kind.  |




*****************************************************************
To unsubscribe from this list, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
with the text 'unsubscribe gnhlug' in the message body.
*****************************************************************

Reply via email to