MHonArc FAQ: General Information

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## General

- What is MHonArc?
- What's the latest version of MhonArc?
- Where can I get MHonArc?
- What restrictions are there on MHonArc usage?
- Where can I get help on MHonArc?
- How does MHonArc compare to other email archivers, like Hypermail?
- Why I should use MHonArc over some of the Internet-based mailing list archive services?
- Are their "real-world" examples of MHonArc usage?
- Why are list archives about Perl-related topics not maintained with a Perl-based program, like MHonArc?
- Is MHonArc Y2K (Year 2000) compliant?

| ### What is MHonArc?

MHonArc is a Perl program for converting mail or news messages into HTML archives. It can also be used to convert individual messages into HTML documents. Other capabilities include robust MIME support and powerful user customization features.

| ### What's the latest version of MhonArc?

Latest version information is available at <http://www.mhonarc.org/>.

| ### Where can I get MHonArc?

The latest information on MHonArc, and its availability, may be obtained at <http://www.mhonarc.org/>.

MHonArc requires Perl to run. If you do not have Perl, it can be obtained from <http://www.perl.com/>.

| ### What restrictions are there on MHonArc usage?

MHonArc is free software. MHonArc is distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL). A copy of the license is included in the distribution. Please read it for more information, or go to <http://www.gnu.org/>. Note, that the word "free" means something different than "no cost". See the GPL and <http://www.gnu.org/> for more information.

Note, donations are welcome. And will help insure the continued development of MHonArc.

If you do not feel comfortable with the current licensing of MHonArc, GPL, then contact the developer of MHonArc if you want to make alternate licensing arrangements.

NOTE: | MHonArc is NOT in the public domain. Any mention of MHonArc in the public domain is WRONG. Applicable copyrights still apply.

| ### Where can I get help on MHonArc?

The first place to try is the documentation that comes with MHonArc. The documentation is quite extensive, and may provide answers to most of your questions.

Second, you can read this FAQ.

Third, a mailing list, mhonarc-users@mhonarc.org, is available to provide a discussion forum on the usage and development of MHonArc. Appropriate topics for the list include: usage questions, bug reports, behavioral enhancements, documentation bugs, and general help.

Information about the list, including how to subscribe and the locations of web-accessible archives, is available at <http://www.mhonarc.org/archive/info/mhonarc-users.html>

| ### How does MHonArc compare to other email archivers, like Hypermail?

Hypermail is probably the oldest major free mail archiver still in use, but over the years, others have popped up. Which is best depends on your needs. The following provides a summary of some of the free archiving programs available:

- MHonArc: Distributed under the GPL, MHonArc is a Perl program for converting mail or news messages into HTML archives. It can also be used to convert individual messages into HTML documents. Other capabilities include robust MIME support and powerful user customization features.

- mharc: Part of the MHonArc project, it is a collection of Perl scripts for generating and managing web-based searchable mail archives. mharc is designed to make it easy to setup and configure large scale mail archives.

- Hypermail: Distributed under the GPL. Originally written Lisp, it is now a C program. There was time when it was not being maintained, but it is now actively maintained and updated.

- Pipermail: Written Python, it is now only being maintained inside the Mailman mailing list manager.

- Eyebrowse: A Java Servlet/Velocity-based browser for Unix mbox format mail archives. Quoting from the project homepage: "Eyebrowse differs from other popular archive browsers in that it does not require that mailing lists be exploded into individual HTML files, and that the HTML rendering is done at serving time, rather than at the time the message is received." Eyebrowse is distributed under the Apache License.

| ### Why I should use MHonArc over some of the Internet-based mailing list archive services?

The exact "why" depends on your needs. Here are some possible reasons why you may want to use MHonArc over Internet-based mailing list archive services:

- MHonArc is free software. Internet services may charge a fee and/or include commercial advertisements in your list archives.
- With MHonArc, you have complete control on how your archive looks and feel, and operates. This can be important if you want your archives to follow a specific style, and/or you need the option to be able to change how your archives function over time.
- You have mailing lists that are behind a firewall. Therefore, an Internet based service is not an option.
- You just need something for personal use.

Note, there is a nice Internet-based mailing list archive service that is available at no charge, and it uses MHonArc and the htDig search engine. See <http://www.mail-archive.com/> for more information.

| ### Are their "real-world" examples of MHonArc usage?

Take your pick:

- mhonarc.org mail archives:
  <http://www.mhonarc.org/archive/html/>
- WWW Mailing List Archives & References:
  <http://www.xray.mpe.mpg.de/mailing-lists/>
- The Mail Archive:
  <http://www.mail-archive.com/>
- Mallorn Archived Email Lists:
  <http://www.mallorn.com/lists/>
- Debian Mailing List Archives:
  <http://lists.debian.org/>
- FreeLists:
  <http://www.freelists.org/>
- Majordomo Users Mailing List Interface:
  <http://www.hpc.uh.edu/majordomo-users>
- sources.redhat.com mailing lists:
  <http://sources.redhat.com/lists.html>
- mail.gnome.org Archives:
  <http://mail.gnome.org/archives/>
- Liblicense-L List Archives:
  <http://www.library.yale.edu/~llicense/ListArchives/>
- FVWM Archives:
  <http://www.hpc.uh.edu/fvwm/archive/>
- Lists Archived at Kanga.Nu:
  <http://www.kanga.nu/archives/>
- Apsfilter Archives:
  <http://www.apsfilter.org/Lists-Archives/>
- lists.riseup.net:
  <http://lists.riseup.net/www/>

| ### Why are list archives about Perl-related topics not maintained with a Perl-based program, like MHonArc?

The answer is something I would like to know myself.

| ### Is MHonArc Y2K (Year 2000) compliant?

There is no known Y2K issues with the current release of MHonArc. Message dates are translated to Unix time(2) format which are currently valid until 2038. If MHonArc is still in use by then, I would be amazed.

There has been no official Y2K certification of MHonArc. Since MHonArc is free software, I see noone paying the money for certification. Hence, do not go looking for someone to sue if something breaks.

You may want to check <http://language.perl.com/news/y2k.html> about Y2K from a Perl point-of-view.

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