I don't feel strongly enough about this topic to reply to each of your points. I agree that some MUAs (specifically pine and netscape) are operable without a local MTA. I do not see that this warrants any action ie modification of packages. For most users, an MTA is required.
I would consider a UNIX system incomplete without one. At work we have UNIX systems as embedded controllers and even those run sendmail. I don't see how having an MTA installed unnecessarily adds an additional point of failure; pine and netscape store their mail in private directories, so damage to /var/spool/mail would be inconsequential. Hamish -- Hamish Moffatt VK3SB (ex-VK3TYD). CCs of replies from mailing lists are welcome.
