In /usr/lib/X11/app-defaults/XBiff: *checkCommand:/usr/local/bin/checkmail In /usr/local/bin/checkmail: #!/bin/sh ls $HOME/Maildir/new > $HOME/.curmail if [ "`wc -l $HOME/.curmail | colrm 8`" != " 0" ]; then if [ -f $HOME/.prevmail ]; then if [ "`diff --brief $HOME/.curmail $HOME/.prevmail`" ]; then mv $HOME/.curmail $HOME/.prevmail exit 0 fi exit 1 fi mv $HOME/.curmail $HOME/.prevmail exit 0 else exit 2 fi