Differences and interactions between subscribe, lists, group, alternates and alias.

[boB Stepp]

On 21/02/15 10:33PM, Wim wrote:
>On Monday, 15 February at 21:53, boB Stepp wrote:
>
>> ...BTW, typing "Mu" into the "To:" field
>> and then hitting <Tab> does *not* fill in the email address; instead, it
>> brings up a browser view where I have to hit <Enter> before the address is
>> inserted.  Is there a way, when there are no conflicting "Mu" entries, to just
>> *immediately* have hitting <Tab> insert the address?
>
>If you change your alias line to:
>
>alias Mu Mutt-Users <mutt-users at mutt.org>
>
>typing Mu and <Enter> will work, not <Tab>.

Ah!  I was misunderstanding the function of <Tab> in expanding things.

>> I haven't done it yet, but what I would like to do is have different groups
>> that I can type a shortcut and have all the email addresses inserted.  For
>> instance, I would like to have a group "Kids" which when typed would
>> auto-expand into my kids' email addresses.  Also, I would like to be able to
>> type in abbreviations like "Jess" and have that expand to my daughter's email
>> address.  How would I go about doing this without having a browser view come
>> up with numbered entries?
>
>I think what you want is this. Given the kids' email addresses:
>
>alias Joe Josephine Murphy <joe at someaddress.com>
>alias Moe Moe Murphy <moe at anotherisp.com>
>
>you can alias them as:
>
>alias fam Joe Moe
>
>and typing fam and <Enter> will auto-expand.

Yep, this works.  Thanks!

So what is the purpose of "group"?  How can it help me?

>>
>> And from reading the Mutt manual I have encountered the alternates option, but
>> now I am not sure what it is useful for and how to most effectively use it.

And "alternates" is still a mystery...

-- 
Wishing you only the best,

boB Stepp