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Re: Non-permanence of the "new messages" flag (maildir)



* Vincent Labrecque <vnc@xxxxxxxxx> [20081224 02:23]:
> Hello,
> 
> I've looked around and found FAQ answers on new messages not being
> reported correctly, where Maildir folders are mentioned as a solution. 
> In my case, the new messages flag when using maildir is the problem.

[snip]

> Example:
> I receive a message that gets put in '.INBOX.gmail.INBOX'
> (through gmail, offlineimap.  The subfolder syntax is due to Dovecot
> serving the maildir folders through IMAP.  No mail client is using
> the IMAP server as I run these tests.)
> 
> I start mutt and go to the index.  I see the `N' flag next to the
> '.INBOX.gmail.INBOX' folder.  I go in that folder, a message is marked
> as new.  I don't read the message, and go to the index.  Now there is no
> `N' flag next to the `.INBOX.gmail.INBOX'.  I go in that folder, and the
> _message_ is still marked as new.
> 
> I said the mailboxes are set properly, here is the reason for that
> claim: If I press tab in the index I do see the expected mailboxes.
> 
> If you need additional information, I will be happy to provide it, or
> run whatever tests you want.  If this is documented somewhere and I
> didn't find it, I apologize and will gladly accept a pointer in the
> right direction.

Hi Vincent,

I have many folders and I use mutt pretty much as you describe your
use. To see the 'N' flag in the index again for the folder
'.INBOX.gmail.INBOX', enter _another_ folder and the status flag on
'.INBOX.gmail.INBOX' should be updated to say there is New mail in
it.

I can't really explain _why_ it behaves like this - but I'd guess that
mutt maintains a in-memory mailbox state and once you enter a mailbox,
that state is set to "read", even if the mailbox still contains unread
e-mail. As long as you do not change out of that folder, mutt will not
update that folders status (until perhaps after some internal timeout
value where it re-polls all folders).

Maybe some developer can tell me if I am far off the mark or not. :)

Cheers and Merry Xmas.

-- 
Anders Rayner-Karlsson <anders@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
All-Round Linux Tinkerer, RHCE and PITA DeLuxe