patch-metamail(1)                               patch-metamail(1)

NAME
       patch-metamail  -  Install  a patch to the latest metamail
       release

SYNOPSIS
       patch-metamail   source-tree-root  patch-number  [hostname
       [dirname [prefix]]]

DESCRIPTION
       The  patch-metamail  program  will  attempt  to retreive 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 direc-
       tory, 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 %{patchnumber}; 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 override these on the com-
       mand line, it would be a big mistake to make these parame-
       terized 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 program is reasonably
       safe (as safe as the host you're depending on, anyway).

SEE ALSO
       metamail(1)

COPYRIGHT
       Copyright  (c)  1991  Bell  Communications  Research, Inc.
       (Bellcore)

       Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this mate-
       rial  for  any  purpose and without fee is hereby granted,
       provided that the above copyright notice and this  permis-
       sion  notice  appear  in  all copies, and that the name of
       Bellcore not be used in advertising or publicity  pertain-
       ing  to  this material without the specific, prior written
       permission of an authorized  representative  of  Bellcore.
       BELLCORE  MAKES  NO  REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT THE ACCURACY OR
       SUITABILITY OF THIS MATERIAL FOR ANY PURPOSE.  IT IS  PRO-
       VIDED  "AS IS", WITHOUT ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES.

AUTHOR
       Nathaniel S. Borenstein, Bellcore

                            Release 1                           1