Re: Process imap not running

[Ted Zlatanov <tzz@lifelogs.com>]

On Thu, 17 Jan 2008 19:33:59 +0100 Reiner Steib <reinersteib+gmane@imap.cc> wrote: 

RS> On Thu, Jan 17 2008, Ted Zlatanov wrote:
>> On Wed, 16 Jan 2008 Reiner Steib <reinersteib+gmane@imap.cc> wrote: 
RS> On Tue, Jan 15 2008, Ted Zlatanov wrote:
>>>> On Tue, 15 Jan 2008 Reiner Steib <reinersteib+gmane@imap.cc> wrote: 
RS> I added the variable `imap-ping-server', defaulting to t.  Please
RS> adjust if necessary.
>>>> 
>>>> I think it should be an integer, representing the minimum number of
>>>> seconds 

RS> ... better use milliseconds or allow floats?

OK.

>>>> before it's triggered (or nil to turn it off).
>> 
RS> Is this feasible?  Would someone like to implement this?
>> 
>> I could do it eventually, 

RS> Please do.

I'll put it on my TODO list.

>> but it's really not too hard.  Just make a buffer-local timer in the
>> imap buffer and check it every time if the variable is not t.

>>>> The default should be nil.  When the IMAP server is far away, pinging
>>>> the server introduces a painful delay because of the TCP round trip.
>> 
RS> Could you explain how much delay it cause (and when)?  As it seems to
RS> fix a problem for several users, it would be nice to set it to t.

RS> ... or some reasonable integer?

>> Remote TCP connections require an acknowledgment for every packet.  [...]

RS> My question aimed at your personal experience, i.e. which Gnus/IMAP
RS> commands are noticeably slower (getting new articles, displaying
RS> articles, ..., more or less all commands?) and how long the delay is
RS> approximately (several seconds?).

(sorry for the discourse)

I haven't noticed it personally, since I use IMAP servers that are
nearby on fast links.  Generally it wouldn't be directly noticeable
since the delay is small per command on the average, but on the whole
the users will have a slower experience, and in the worst case (on a
slow link to a distant server) it will surely be unpleasant.

Ted