# Mentor

> GNU Emacs frontend for the rTorrent bittorrent client

**Wikidata**: [Q110475818](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110475818)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mentor

## Summary
Mentor is a free software frontend for GNU Emacs that provides an interface to the rTorrent BitTorrent client. It allows users to manage torrents directly within the Emacs text editor, leveraging Emacs Lisp for functionality. The project was created by Stefan Kangas and is distributed under the GNU General Public License.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: GNU Emacs frontend for rTorrent BitTorrent client
- **Creator**: Stefan Kangas
- **License**: GNU General Public License (GPL)
- **Programming Language**: Emacs Lisp
- **Platform**: GNU Emacs
- **Operating Systems**: macOS, BSD, and Unix-like systems
- **Latest Stable Version**: 0.4 (released 2022-09-22)
- **Inception**: 2010
- **Repository**: Hosted on GitHub and GNU Savannah
- **Package Archive**: Available on NonGNU ELPA since 2022-01-05
- **Aliases**: emacs-mentor, mentor

## FAQs
### Q: What is Mentor used for?
A: Mentor is an Emacs frontend for rTorrent, allowing users to manage BitTorrent downloads directly within the GNU Emacs text editor. It provides a text-based interface for torrent management, leveraging Emacs Lisp for functionality.

### Q: Who developed Mentor?
A: Mentor was developed by Stefan Kangas, who is also the copyright holder and maintainer of the project.

### Q: Is Mentor free software?
A: Yes, Mentor is free software distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL), allowing users to freely run, study, modify, and distribute it.

### Q: What operating systems does Mentor support?
A: Mentor supports macOS, BSD, and Unix-like operating systems, making it compatible with a wide range of platforms.

### Q: How do I install Mentor?
A: Mentor can be installed via the Emacs Lisp Package Archive (ELPA) or directly from its GitHub repository. It is available on NonGNU ELPA since 2022-01-05.

## Why It Matters
Mentor fills a niche in the BitTorrent ecosystem by providing a text-based interface for rTorrent within GNU Emacs. This integration allows users who prefer text editors to manage torrents without switching to a graphical interface. By leveraging Emacs Lisp, Mentor offers a highly customizable and efficient way to handle torrent downloads. Its development aligns with the free software movement, ensuring accessibility and community-driven improvements. For users who rely on Emacs for productivity, Mentor enhances their workflow by embedding torrent management directly into their editing environment.

## Notable For
- **Emacs Integration**: One of the few frontends for rTorrent that operates within GNU Emacs, providing a seamless text-based experience.
- **Free Software**: Distributed under the GNU GPL, ensuring it remains open-source and community-driven.
- **Cross-Platform Support**: Works on macOS, BSD, and Unix-like systems, broadening its usability.
- **Active Development**: Regular updates and releases, with the latest stable version (0.4) released in 2022.
- **ELPA Availability**: Listed on NonGNU ELPA since 2022, making it easily accessible to Emacs users.

## Body
### Overview
Mentor is a frontend for the rTorrent BitTorrent client, designed to run within GNU Emacs. It provides users with a text-based interface for managing torrents, leveraging Emacs Lisp for functionality. The project was initiated in 2010 by Stefan Kangas and has since been maintained by him.

### Development and Distribution
- **Creator**: Stefan Kangas, who also holds the copyright and maintains the project.
- **License**: GNU General Public License (GPL), ensuring free software principles are upheld.
- **Repository**: Hosted on GitHub and GNU Savannah, with source code available for download.
- **Package Archive**: Available on NonGNU ELPA since 2022-01-05, allowing easy installation via Emacs' package manager.

### Versions and Releases
- **Initial Release**: Version 0.1 was released on 2011-08-28.
- **Latest Stable Version**: 0.4, released on 2022-09-22.
- **Release History**: Includes multiple updates, with the most recent versions addressing bug fixes and improvements.

### Technical Details
- **Programming Language**: Emacs Lisp, ensuring compatibility with GNU Emacs.
- **Operating Systems**: macOS, BSD, and Unix-like systems, providing broad compatibility.
- **Platform**: GNU Emacs, making it a specialized tool for Emacs users.

### Significance
Mentor's integration with GNU Emacs allows users to manage torrents without leaving their text editor, enhancing workflow efficiency. Its development aligns with the free software movement, ensuring accessibility and community contributions. The project's active maintenance and regular updates reflect its relevance in the BitTorrent ecosystem.

## References

1. [Mentor version 0.3.5. 2022](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2022-01/msg00015.html)
2. [Mentor version 0.4. 2022](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2022-09/msg00059.html)
3. [Release 0.1. 2011](https://github.com/skangas/mentor/releases/tag/0.1)
4. [Release 0.1.1. 2016](https://github.com/skangas/mentor/releases/tag/0.1.1)
5. [Release 0.2. 2016](https://github.com/skangas/mentor/releases/tag/0.2)
6. [Release 0.3. 2017](https://github.com/skangas/mentor/releases/tag/0.3)
7. [Release 0.3.1. 2017](https://github.com/skangas/mentor/releases/tag/0.3.1)
8. [Release 0.3.2. 2018](https://github.com/skangas/mentor/releases/tag/0.3.2)
9. [Release 0.3.3. 2018](https://github.com/skangas/mentor/releases/tag/0.3.3)
10. [Release 0.3.4. 2018](https://github.com/skangas/mentor/releases/tag/0.3.4)
11. [Mentor version 0.5. 2022](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2022-10/msg00093.html)
12. [Source](https://elpa.nongnu.org/nongnu/mentor.html)
13. [Source](https://github.com/skangas/mentor/blob/master/mentor.el)