Reading Mail in Emacs

Even if you’re a vi user, there’s no denying that emacs is the hands-down winner for flexibility in the text editor race. Emacs can edit text, interact with the shell, compile programs, read Usenet news, and even read and compose email.

Reading email in emacs is actually the function of RMAIL, a program that resides within the emacs shell. To start RMAIL, open emacs and enter the command M-x rmail. The messages in your incoming mailbox are converted to an emacs-specific format when RMAIL is invoked. This mail is also moved to an RMAIL directory in your home directory. If, after giving RMAIL a shot, you decide you’d rather not use RMAIL as your mail reader, you’ll need to use the M-x unrmail command to convert your mail back to the standard format.

Emacs can also be used to compose and send email. To compose a message in emacs, use the C-x m command set. The To:, Subject:, and body text fields open with this command. Enter text in the appropriate areas and use C-c C-s to send the message.

It’s this built-in ability to grab, edit and send email from within emacs that makes some Linux users die-hard emacs believers. While I’m still a vi fan, I have to admit that emacs offers flexibility that no other text editor can offer.