Mail daemon - Revision history

Ion frigate: clarify there actually was once a time that email was handled this way (hence NH's ability to actually receive email)

2025-01-15T08:56:32Z

clarify there actually was once a time that email was handled this way (hence NH's ability to actually receive email)

Umbire the Phantom: formatting + copyedit pass

2024-02-12T03:40:29Z

formatting + copyedit pass

Umbire the Phantom: /* History */ word choice

2024-02-12T02:01:50Z

‎History: word choice

Umbire the Phantom: /* Delivery */ some touch-ups

2024-02-12T01:57:17Z

‎Delivery: some touch-ups

Umbire the Phantom: /* History */ pothole

2023-10-27T11:49:15Z

‎History: pothole

Umbire the Phantom: formatting pass

2023-10-27T11:49:05Z

formatting pass

Loggers: "default tile" was linked to nowhere, link it to tileset page

2023-09-22T20:17:19Z

"default tile" was linked to nowhere, link it to tileset page

Loggers: unlink xkcds; while funny, they're not really needed or even particularly relevant

2023-09-22T20:14:29Z

unlink xkcds; while funny, they're not really needed or even particularly relevant

Ion frigate: not confined to root, actually (users can set their own cron without sudo)

2023-09-21T00:51:14Z

not confined to root, actually (users can set their own cron without sudo)

Ion frigate: expand origin a bit, link some relevant xkcds

2023-09-21T00:47:24Z

expand origin a bit, link some relevant xkcds

@@ Line 56: / Line 56: @@
 The mail daemon and its [[tileset|default tile]] are a pun on computer "daemons": a daemon is a program that runs in the background of Unix-like operating systems, performing various tasks such as managing log files, performing timed maintenance tasks or answering incoming network connection requests. The program responsible for receiving mail and dispatching it to the correct location is commonly referred to as the "mail daemon" - this is why the mail daemon of ''NetHack'' appears as a demon in a postal worker outfit. The [[encyclopedia]] entry also makes a reference to the stereotype of dogs attacking postal employees.
-Daemon-like programs in the Windows world are commonly referred to as ''services'': while most Windows machines lack a "mail service" program analogous to the mail daemon, mail daemons are still present on modern Unix-like operating systems, including Linux and MacOS. Mail daemons virtually never handle user email, though some internal programs (such as cron and sudo) still use the mail daemon to send administrative messages to shell users.
+Daemon-like programs in the Windows world are commonly referred to as ''services'': while most Windows machines lack a "mail service" program analogous to the mail daemon, mail daemons are still present on modern Unix-like operating systems, including Linux and MacOS. Mail daemons on modern systems virtually never handle user email any more, though some internal programs (such as cron and sudo) still use the mail daemon to send administrative messages to shell users.
 ==Messages==

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
   |resistances=Fire, Cold, Shock, Sleep, Poison, Stoning
   |resistances conveyed=None
-  |attributes={{attributes|A mail daemon|
+  |attributes={{attributes|A mail daemon|nocorpse=1|fly=1|swim=1|breathless=1|seeinvis=1|humanoid=1|pois=1|nopoly=1|stalk=1|peaceful=1
- |nocorpse=1|fly=1|swim=1|breathless=1|seeinvis=1|humanoid=1|=
+|infravisible=1|infravision=1}}
   |reference=[[monst.c#line2773]]
 }}
-The '''mail daemon''' is a [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It has many unusual properties, some of which are related to its very specific purpose of delivering [[scroll of mail|mail]] to players.
+A '''mail daemon''', {{monsym|mail daemon}}, is a type of [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. The mail daemon is a unique [[Demon (monster class)|demon-like]] monster that has many unusual properties, some of which are related to its very specific purpose of delivering [[scroll of mail|mail]] to players.
 ==Generation==
-The mail daemon is not normally randomly generated, and is not a valid form for [[polymorph]].
+The mail daemon is not randomly generated, and is not a valid form for [[polymorph]].
 On multi-user systems where the <code>MAIL</code> [[compile-time option]] is defined, the mail daemon will deliver a scroll of mail when the player receives an email. Reading the scroll will typically launch the user's preferred mail reader. After closing the reader, the player may continue their game. On a [[public server]], users observing another player's session may be able to send messages to that player. The message is displayed in the in-game message bar when the scroll is read.
@@ Line 53: / Line 54: @@
 ==Origin==
 {{wikipedia|Daemon (Unix)}}
-The mail daemon and its [[tileset|default tile]] are a pun on computer "daemons": a daemon is a program that runs in the background of Unix-like operating systems, performing various tasks such as managing log files, performing timed maintenance tasks or answering incoming network connection requests. The program responsible for receiving mail and dispatching it to the correct location is commonly referred to as the "mail daemon", hence the monster's name and appearance as a demon in a postal worker costume; the [[encyclopedia]] entry also makes a reference to the stereotype of dogs attacking postal employees.
+The mail daemon and its [[tileset|default tile]] are a pun on computer "daemons": a daemon is a program that runs in the background of Unix-like operating systems, performing various tasks such as managing log files, performing timed maintenance tasks or answering incoming network connection requests. The program responsible for receiving mail and dispatching it to the correct location is commonly referred to as the "mail daemon" - this is why the mail daemon of ''NetHack'' appears as a demon in a postal worker outfit. The [[encyclopedia]] entry also makes a reference to the stereotype of dogs attacking postal employees.
-Daemon-like programs in the Windows world are commonly referred to as ''services''. While most Windows machines lack a "mail service" program analogous to the mail daemon, mail daemons are still present on modern Unix-like operating systems, including Linux and MacOS. While mail daemons virtually never handle user email, some internal programs (such as cron and sudo) still use the mail daemon to send administrative messages to shell users.
+Daemon-like programs in the Windows world are commonly referred to as ''services'': while most Windows machines lack a "mail service" program analogous to the mail daemon, mail daemons are still present on modern Unix-like operating systems, including Linux and MacOS. Mail daemons virtually never handle user email, though some internal programs (such as cron and sudo) still use the mail daemon to send administrative messages to shell users.
 ==Messages==

@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
 ==History==
-The mail daemon first appears in [[Hack 1.0.2]]. From this version to [[NetHack 2.3e]], it used the {{white|2}} glyph.
+The mail daemon first appears in [[Hack 1.0.2]]. From this version to [[NetHack 2.3e]], it uses the {{white|2}} glyph.
-In [[NetHack 3.4.3]], a mail daemon could be created when creating random demons on a special level; these mail daemons would immediately disappear as soon as the player moved. This was [[Bugs in NetHack 3.4.3#C343-415|bug C343-415]].
+In [[NetHack 3.4.3]], a mail daemon can be created when creating random demons on a special level; these mail daemons immediately disappear as soon as the player moved. This was [[Bugs in NetHack 3.4.3#C343-415|bug C343-415]].
 ==Origin==

@@ Line 34: / Line 34: @@
 ===Delivery===
-When an item of mail needs to be delivered, the daemon is placed on a square just out of sight of the player, rushes over to their location and moving through any monster in its path - upon reaching the player, it hands them the scroll, rushes back to its starting square and disappears. If it cannot maneuver next to the player for some reason, it will "throw" the scroll to the player. This all takes place within the space of one move: as the mail daemon is capable of [[flight]], [[swimming]], can [[see invisible]] and is [[breathless]], it can deliver mail in any environment.
+When an item of mail needs to be delivered, the daemon is placed on a square just out of sight of the player, rushes over to their location and moving through any monster in its path - upon reaching the player, it hands them the scroll, rushes back to its starting square and disappears. If it cannot maneuver next to the player for some reason, it will "throw" the scroll to the player. This all takes place within the space of one move: as the mail daemon is capable of [[flight]] and [[swimming]], can [[see invisible]], and is [[unbreathing]], it can deliver mail in any environment.
-On public servers such as [[nethack.alt.org]], a user may observe other users' games and communicate with them by sending mail. The player cannot send mail back to any spectators, but the # command can be used to type arbitrary messages visible to them - this command does not need to be executed.
+On public servers such as [[nethack.alt.org]], a user may observe other users' games and communicate with them by sending mail. The player cannot send mail back to any spectators, but the [[#]] command can be used to type arbitrary messages visible to them .
 ==Strategy==

@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
 ==History==
-The mail daemon first appears in [[Hack 1.02]]. From this version to [[NetHack 2.3e]], it used the {{white|2}} glyph.
+The mail daemon first appears in [[Hack 1.0.2]]. From this version to [[NetHack 2.3e]], it used the {{white|2}} glyph.
 In [[NetHack 3.4.3]], a mail daemon could be created when creating random demons on a special level; these mail daemons would immediately disappear as soon as the player moved. This was [[Bugs in NetHack 3.4.3#C343-415|bug C343-415]].
 ==Origin==

@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
   |reference=[[monst.c#line2773]]
 }}
-The '''mail daemon''' is a [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It has many unusual properties, some of which are related to its very specific purpose of delivering [[scroll of mail|mail]] to players. Mail daemons are not valid forms for [[polymorph]].
+The '''mail daemon''' is a [[monster]] that appears in ''[[NetHack]]''. It has many unusual properties, some of which are related to its very specific purpose of delivering [[scroll of mail|mail]] to players.
 ==Generation==
-The mail daemon is not normally randomly generated. On multi-user systems where the <code>MAIL</code> [[compile-time option]] is defined, the mail daemon will deliver a scroll of mail when the player receives an email. Reading the scroll will typically launch the user's preferred mail reader. After closing the reader, the player may continue their game.
+The mail daemon is not normally randomly generated, and is not a valid form for [[polymorph]].
-On a [[public server]], users observing another player's session may be able to send messages to that player. The message is displayed in the in-game message bar when the scroll is read.
+On multi-user systems where the <code>MAIL</code> [[compile-time option]] is defined, the mail daemon will deliver a scroll of mail when the player receives an email. Reading the scroll will typically launch the user's preferred mail reader. After closing the reader, the player may continue their game. On a [[public server]], users observing another player's session may be able to send messages to that player. The message is displayed in the in-game message bar when the scroll is read.
 MS-DOS and Amiga are single-user operating systems with no built-in mail support. On these platforms, a mail demon will appear every 2000-5000 turns, delivering a scroll with a meaningless "junk" message.
@@ Line 33: / Line 33: @@
 Mail daemons will not appear if <code>MAIL</code> is undefined when compiling the game, or if the [[mail (option)|mail option]] is set to <code>false</code>. If <code>MAIL</code> is not defined, any attempts to reference them within that game (e.g. wishing for a statue, generating them in [[wizard mode]]) will treat them as a non-existent monster; the [[encyclopedia]] entry for mail daemons will still be present. The official [[Windows]] binaries do not define <code>MAIL</code>.
-==Delivering mail==
+===Delivery===
-When an item of mail needs to be delivered, the daemon is placed on a square just out of sight of the player, rushes over to their location and moving through any monster in its path - upon reaching the player, it hands them the scroll, rushes back to its starting square and disappears. If it cannot maneuver next to the player for some reason, it will "throw" the scroll to the player. This all takes place within the space of one move - as the mail daemon is capable of flight, swimming, can [[see invisible]] and is [[breathless]], it can deliver mail in any environment.
+When an item of mail needs to be delivered, the daemon is placed on a square just out of sight of the player, rushes over to their location and moving through any monster in its path - upon reaching the player, it hands them the scroll, rushes back to its starting square and disappears. If it cannot maneuver next to the player for some reason, it will "throw" the scroll to the player. This all takes place within the space of one move: as the mail daemon is capable of [[flight]], [[swimming]], can [[see invisible]] and is [[breathless]], it can deliver mail in any environment.
-On public servers such as [[nethack.alt.org]], a user may observe other users' games and communicate with them by sending mail. The player cannot send mail back to the spectator, but the # command can be used to type arbitrary messages visible to the observing user(s) - this command does not need to be executed, only seen by the spectator(s).
+On public servers such as [[nethack.alt.org]], a user may observe other users' games and communicate with them by sending mail. The player cannot send mail back to any spectators, but the # command can be used to type arbitrary messages visible to them - this command does not need to be executed.
 ==Strategy==
 {{main|Mail}}
-While the mail daemon themselves will not factor in the strategy of a mass majority of players, some seek out ways to successfully kill them (primarily for bragging rights). The only way to do this is to stone to flesh a mail daemon statue, as mentioned above; the resulting mail daemon will normally disappear in one turn unless attacked. If you step away from them after attacking, they will also disappear. A player looking to kill the mail daemon must do so quickly, keeping in mind that they possess all forms of elemental resistance.
+While the mail daemon themselves will not factor in the strategy of a mass majority of players, some seek out ways to successfully kill them, primarily for bragging rights. The only way to do this is to stone to flesh a mail daemon statue, as mentioned above - the resulting mail daemon will normally disappear in one turn unless attacked, and if you step away from them after attacking, they will also disappear. A player looking to kill the mail daemon must do so quickly, keeping in mind that they possess all forms of elemental resistance and move at twice the speed of an unhasted player character.
 Killing a mail daemon will automatically [[genocide]] them with no announcement, breaking [[Conduct#Genocideless|genocideless conduct]] and preventing any further mail delivery for the duration of that game.
-The services of mail daemons can also be used to generate scrolls of mail for certain somewhat-niche purposes, such as using them to propel yourself while [[levitating]].<ref>https://nhqdb.alt.org/?2390</ref>
+The services of mail daemons can also be used to generate scrolls of mail for certain somewhat-niche purposes, such as using them to propel yourself while [[levitating]].<ref>[https://nhqdb.alt.org/?2390 nhqdb: Quote #2390]</ref>
 ==Origin==
-The monster and its [[tileset|default tile]] are based on a pun - on Unix-like operating systems, a [[wikipedia:Daemon (Unix)|daemon]] is a program that runs in the background, performing various tasks such as managing log files, performing timed maintenance tasks or answering incoming network connection requests. The program responsible for receiving mail and dispatching it to the correct location is commonly referred to as the "mail daemon".
+{{wikipedia|Daemon (Unix)}}
-Daemon-like programs in the Windows world are commonly referred to as ''services''.  While most Windows machines lack a "mail service" program analogous to the mail daemon, mail daemons are still present on modern Unix-like operating systems, including Linux and MacOS.  While mail daemons virtually never handle user email, some internal programs (such as cron and sudo) still use the mail daemon to send administrative messages to shell users.
+Daemon-like programs in the Windows world are commonly referred to as ''services''. While most Windows machines lack a "mail service" program analogous to the mail daemon, mail daemons are still present on modern Unix-like operating systems, including Linux and MacOS. While mail daemons virtually never handle user email, some internal programs (such as cron and sudo) still use the mail daemon to send administrative messages to shell users.
-== Messages ==
+==Messages==
 {{message|Gangway! Look out! Pardon me!|The daemon pushed past another monster.}}
 {{message|Excuse me.|The daemon pushed past you to get to a square near you.}}
@@ Line 62: / Line 65: @@
 {{message|I'm late!|A mail daemon that was not generated via normal means disappeared from the level.}}
-==UnNetHack==
+==Variants==
-In [[UnNetHack]], in addition to delivering mail, the mail daemon can also deliver one hint scroll per game (assuming that this option is enabled). This "helpful hint" behavior has earned the mail daemon the nickname "Unclippy - the helpful hint daemon" (as a pejorative reference to the infamous Microsoft Word "helper", Clippy).
+===UnNetHack===
 ==Encyclopaedia entry==
@@ Line 72: / Line 76: @@
 ==External links==
-*[http://web.archive.org/web/20060429053527/http://www.audentes.ee/~virgo/Nethack/spam.txt Spam &mdash; A short story by Virgo Vardja, set in the NetHack universe]
+*[http://web.archive.org/web/20060429053527/http://www.audentes.ee/~virgo/Nethack/spam.txt Spam &mdash; A short story centered on the mail daemon of NetHack] written by Virgo Vardja
 *[http://www.steelypips.org/nethack/extinctionist-faq.html#t4.12 Mail daemons in the Extinctionist Spoiler]
 ==References==
 <references/>
-{{nethack-366}}
+{{nethack-367}}
 [[Category:Monsters]]

@@ Line 49: / Line 49: @@
 The monster and its [[default tile]] are based on a pun - on Unix-like operating systems, a [[wikipedia:Daemon (Unix)|daemon]] is a program that runs in the background, performing various tasks such as managing log files, performing timed maintenance tasks or answering incoming network connection requests. The program responsible for receiving mail and dispatching it to the correct location is commonly referred to as the "mail daemon".
-Daemon-like programs in the Windows world are commonly referred to as ''services''.  While most Windows machines lack a "mail service" program analogous to the mail daemon, mail daemons are still present on modern Unix-like operating systems, including Linux and MacOS.  While mail daemons virtually never handle user email, some internal programs (such as [https://xkcd.com/1728/ cron] and [https://xkcd.com/838/ sudo]) still use the mail daemon to send administrative messages to shell users.
+Daemon-like programs in the Windows world are commonly referred to as ''services''.  While most Windows machines lack a "mail service" program analogous to the mail daemon, mail daemons are still present on modern Unix-like operating systems, including Linux and MacOS.  While mail daemons virtually never handle user email, some internal programs (such as cron and sudo) still use the mail daemon to send administrative messages to shell users.
 ==History==