patch-metamail(1)patch-metamail(1)NAMEpatch-metamail - Install a patch to the latest metamail release
SYNOPSISpatch-metamail source-tree-root patch-number [hostname [dirname [pre‐
fix]]]
DESCRIPTION
The patch-metamail program will attempt to retrieve a patch file for
the metamail distribution, using anonymous ftp to a trusted server, and
then install that patch in your local copy of the distribution.
The first two arguments, which are required, are the root directory of
your local copy of the metamail source directory, and the patch number.
The former is site-dependent, the latter is patch-dependent.
In general, patch-metamail is intended to be called via metamail, with
a mailcap entry like the following:
application/x-metamail-patch;patch-metamail source-tree-root %{patch‐
number}; needsterminal
The default values for the host to ftp to, the directory name to
retrieve the file from, and the patch file name prefix are hard-wired
to thumper.bellcore.com, pub/nsb, and "mm.patch.". While you can over‐
ride these on the command line, it would be a big mistake to make these
parameterized based on the contents of a mail message, because then
someone could spoof you into retrieving a new version of metamail with
a Trojan horse from their site! However, as long as you retain control
over what host and directory the patches are retrieved from, this pro‐
gram is reasonably safe (as safe as the host you're depending on, any‐
way).
SEE ALSOmetamail(1)COPYRIGHT
Copyright (c) 1991 Bell Communications Research, Inc. (Bellcore)
Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this material for any
purpose and without fee is hereby granted, provided that the above
copyright notice and this permission notice appear in all copies, and
that the name of Bellcore not be used in advertising or publicity per‐
taining to this material without the specific, prior written permission
of an authorized representative of Bellcore. BELLCORE MAKES NO REPRE‐
SENTATIONS ABOUT THE ACCURACY OR SUITABILITY OF THIS MATERIAL FOR ANY
PURPOSE. IT IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WAR‐
RANTIES.
AUTHOR
Nathaniel S. Borenstein, Bellcore
Release 1 patch-metamail(1)