"I have seen this error message regarding "unbalanced >" only from
 mail having to do with the internet node "loc.gov"   Can anyone
 explain what it means?  --Ralph Papakhian"
 
	501 <@uga.cc.uga.edu:[log in to unmask]>... Unbalanced '<'
 
The number is from RFC 822, I think, and explains a particular type of
mistake encountered in handling the message, based on an attempt by the
authors of the RFC to anticipate every possible error state and give
it a description of some sort, as well as a reference number.
 
In that RFC or previous ones - 819 or 821 - it is explained that part
of the addressing paradigm is an agreement between mailable entities
about the rules they will use in writing and rewriting one another's
headers and addresses. One of these rules states that anything that is
found between a '<' and a '>' is sacrosanct, not to be rewritten. How-
-ever, given the nature of parsing mechanisms, a missing '<' or '>'
can blow that whole scheme ... and this appears to be what happened.
The mail administrator of the system needs to re-edit their configur-
-ation file for their mailer ...
 
These rules exist to expedite and regularize the process of moving email
between domains and mailing systems, IE, regulate relationships between
VMS tokens like ":" and UUCP tokens like "!" and Internet tokens like
"@" and "." and IBM tokens like "_", so that they can peacefully coexist
in a heterogenous email universe.
 
I encourage everyone to get copies of RFCs 819, 821 and 822, and keep 'em
in a binder atop your toilet for casual reading. It's deadly boring, but
occasionally offers tidbits of useful information. ( Apologies to the
authors of these and all other RFCs - keep up the good work, folks ! )
 
-- richard
 
=====
-- richard childers		[log in to unmask]		1 415 506 2411
         oracle data center  --  unix systems & network administration
 
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