%brandDTD; ]> Using &brandShortName; Mail

Reading Messages

In this section:

Getting New Messages

For an IMAP account, you can retrieve new messages automatically and display them in the Inbox by opening Mail & Newsgroups and selecting the Inbox for the IMAP account.

For a POP account, you must select the Inbox and click Get Msgs to retrieve your messages. By default, messages from your POP account are downloaded in full and deleted from the POP server when you retrieve them. You can change your POP server settings to retrieve just the headers and/or store a copy of messages on the server in addition to downloading them to your computer.

For news accounts, expanding the account newsgroups list will automatically check for new items, as it will by just selecting one of the newsgroups. While reading a newsgroup, you can force checking for new items by clicking Get Msgs.

For blogs & feeds accounts, the first time you expand the account, it will be checked for new items. Besides that, you can force checking for new items at any time by clicking Get Msgs.

You can also set up Mail & Newsgroups to get new messages at startup and to check for new messages at timed intervals.

Mail & Newsgroups icon

The Mail & Newsgroups icon on the status bar displays a green arrow to notify you when new messages have arrived.

New mail notification

To set up a mail account to automatically check for new messages, begin from the Mail window:

  1. Open the Edit menu and choose Mail & Newsgroups Account Settings. You see the Mail & Newsgroups Account Settings dialog box.
  2. If you have multiple accounts, select an account and click the Server Settings category for that account.
  3. Select one or both of the following options in the Server Settings section:
  4. Click OK. Your settings take effect the next time you start &brandShortName; Mail & Newsgroups.

To set up &brandShortName; Mail & Newsgroups to play a sound or display an alert when new mail arrives, see Mail & Newsgroups Preferences - Notifications.

You can always retrieve messages manually at any time. To get new messages for the selected account or newsgroup, do one of the following:

To get new messages for all your mail accounts, begin from the Mail window:

  1. Click the triangle on the Get Msgs button in the Mail toolbar.
  2. Choose Get All New Messages. &brandShortName; Mail & Newsgroups retrieves new messages for all your mail accounts.

    If you are not currently logged into one of your mail accounts, Mail & Newsgroups first prompts you to enter your user name and password before retrieving new messages for that account. (If you have already stored your user name and password using the Password Manager, Mail & Newsgroups doesn't prompt you for this information.)

Note: You can also open the File menu (in the Mail window) and choose Get New Messages for.

To get new messages for a specific mail account, begin from the Mail window:

  1. Click the triangle on the Get Msgs button on the Mail toolbar.
  2. Choose the account for which you want to retrieve mail.

Note: Mail & Newsgroups prompts you for your password the first time you retrieve messages for an account. You can choose to have Mail & Newsgroups store your password in the Password Manager at that time.

Password Manager can save all your user names and passwords on your own computer and enter them for you automatically. For more information, see Using the Password Manager.

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Choosing How You View the Mail Window

You can customize the layout of the Mail window (the window you see when you choose Mail & Newsgroups from the Window menu):

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Sorting and Threading Messages

To sort messages by categories such as subject, sender, date, or priority, begin from the Mail window:

To reorder column headings, begin from the Mail window:

To change which columns are displayed, begin from the Mail window:

To group messages by threading (subject), so each message is grouped with all its responses:

Thread button

Tip: The thread button automatically sorts the threads by the age of their parent messages. If you want to use another sort criterion for the threads, open the View menu and select the desired option from the Sort by submenu.

Tip: Select Preserve threading when sorting messages in the Mail & Newsgroups Preferences if you want &brandShortName; to preserve the threaded message grouping when sorting messages with column header clicks. The thread button just toggles between threaded and unthreaded message grouping in this mode. If Preserve threading when sorting messages is not selected, &brandShortName; automatically displays the messages unthreaded when you sort them by clicking on a column header.

Tip: To help you identify unread messages in a collapsed thread where you've read the parent message, &brandShortName; Mail & Newsgroups underlines the parent message.

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Saving and Printing Messages

To save a mail message as a plain-text, HTML, or Outlook Express file:

  1. In the Mail window, select the message.
  2. Open the File menu and choose Save As, and then choose File.
  3. For Save as type, choose a file type (HTML, Text, or Mail file). Choose Mail file if you want to save the message so it can be opened by Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express.
  4. Change the filename's extension to end in .html, .txt, or .eml, depending on the file type you chose in step 3.
  5. Choose a destination for the file and click Save.

To print a selected message:

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Controlling Images, Scripts, and Plugins

By default, images and other content, that is hosted remotely, will not display in messages you receive, except from senders in your address books whom you have allowed. To change these settings:

  1. Open the &brandShortName; Edit menu and choose Preferences.
  2. Under the Mail & Newsgroups category, click Message Display. (If no subcategories are visible, double-click Mail & Newsgroups to expand the list.)
  3. Uncheck Block images and other content from remote sources.
  4. Click OK to have your change take effect.

Note: See Allow remote images in HTML mail in Creating a New Address Book Card for details of how to change which senders can show remote content.

By default, plugins are not enabled for mail messages you receive. To change this setting:

  1. Open the &brandShortName; Edit menu and choose Preferences.
  2. Under the Advanced category, click Scripts & Plugins. (If no subcategories are visible, double-click Advanced to expand the list.)
  3. Click OK to have your changes take effect.

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Sending Messages

In this section:

Composing Mail and Newsgroup Messages

You can address, compose, reply to, or send a new message by doing one of the following:

Tip: Use the Mail & Newsgroups Account Settings - Composition & Addressing dialog box to specify the HTML text editor to use for composing messages sent from this account. (You can specify a different editor for each of your accounts.) See Changing the Settings for an Account for more information.

Note: It is generally not possible to compose messages for them to be published in blogs & news feeds accounts. If you want to publish posts in a blog (and you have the appropiate rights to do it), you will need to use the mechanisms provided by the specific blog system. In some cases, this can even include sending a mail message to a specific address.

Composing messages in HTML format allows you to use different fonts, text styles (such as bold or italic) and text colors, tables, numbered or bulleted lists, and pictures in your messages. However, some recipients may only be able to read messages composed in plain text format. If you want to use the plain-text editor occasionally, you can hold down the Shift key while clicking the Compose or the Reply button to use the plain-text editor on an as-needed basis.

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Using the Message Composition Window

Use the Compose window to address, compose, and send mail and newsgroup messages. First specify whether you want to compose messages in plain text or HTML by default in the Composition & Addressing Preferences panel (open the Edit menu and choose Mail & Newsgroups Account Settings).

To view the Compose window, click the Compose button on the Mail toolbar.

The Compose window contains the following:

If you've chosen to compose messages using the HTML editor, you see an additional toolbar with text formatting buttons similar to those in &brandShortName; Composer.

For help using the HTML editor, see Formatting Your Web Pages.

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Addressing a Message

To address a mail message:

  1. Type the name in the addressing area.

    If you have address autocompletion enabled (it's enabled by default), type the first few letters of the recipient's name and wait for Mail & Newsgroups to complete the address. (Or you can type part of the name and immediately press ReturnEnter to have Mail & Newsgroups try to complete the address.)

  2. If multiple addresses are displayed, select an address and press ReturnEnter.

    Note: Use a comma to separate multiple addresses on the same line. Do not use a comma to separate first or last names. For example, multiple entries might be:

    user1@netscape.net,user2@netscape.net

  3. If you want this message to be sent from a different account, click the From field to select the account you want. See Changing the Account From Which a Message is Sent for more information.
  4. If necessary, click To to choose a different recipient type:

Tip: You can quickly address a message by clicking the email address contained in a message you're reading, and then selecting Compose Mail To from the pop-up menu.

Changing the Account From Which a Message is Sent

If you have multiple mail accounts, the account listed in the From field is based on the account (or server) you selected when you choose to create a new message. However, &brandShortName; Mail & Newsgroups also allows you to change the account a message is sent from while you're composing a message. Click the From field to view a list of your accounts and then select the account you want. A copy of the message is saved in the Sent folder of the account where you sent the message from.

About Address Autocompletion

Address autocompletion allows you to address mail easily from the Compose window without having to search for names or type complete names. Mail & Newsgroups automatically checks your address books and an LDAP directory server (if available) and completes the name if it finds a unique match. It also prevents mistakes by showing all possible choices with additional information if it finds multiple matches. Address autocompletion is enabled by default.

If you don't want to use an address that Mail & Newsgroups provides, press Backspace or Delete to remove characters and then enter an alternate address.

To disable address autocompletion:

  1. Open the &brandShortName; Edit menu and choose Preferences.
  2. Under the Mail & Newsgroups category, click Addressing. (If no subcategories are visible, double-click Mail & Newsgroups to expand the list).
  3. In the Address Autocompletion section, deselect Local Address Books and Directory Server.
  4. Click OK.

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Selecting Message Sending Options

While you're composing a message, you can select these additional message sending options from the Options menu:

An additional message formatting option is available from the Edit menu:

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Replying to a Message

To reply to a mail message:

To include the original message each time you reply to any message, and to specify how to place the original message in the reply:

  1. Open the Edit menu and choose Mail & Newsgroups Account Settings. You see the Mail & Newsgroups Account Settings dialog box.
  2. If you have multiple accounts, select an account and click the Composition & Addressing category for that account.
  3. Select Automatically quote the original message when replying.
  4. Specify where in the message to place your reply. Start my reply below the quote is the default.
  5. If you have decided to attach a signature to every outgoing message and selected to start your reply above the quote here, you can additionally configure where your signature is placed:

    Note: If you have created a signature, you can optionally omit it when replying to a message.

  6. Click OK.

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Forwarding a Message

When you forward a message, you can specify how its contents are included in the new message: inline (in the body of the message), or as an attachment.

To forward a message:

  1. Select the message and click Forward.
  2. Type the name or email address of the recipient.
  3. Click Send.

To set the default for forwarding messages:

  1. Open the &brandShortName; Edit menu and choose Preferences.
  2. Under the Mail & Newsgroups category, click Composition. (If no subcategories are visible, double-click Mail & Newsgroups to expand the list.)
  3. For forwarding messages, choose Inline (in the message body) or As Attachment.

    Note: If you have created a signature and forward inline, its placement depends on the respective reply setting. You can optionally omit the signature when forwarding a message.

  4. Click OK.

Tip: To override the default for forwarding a message, select the message, open the Message menu, and choose Forward As, then choose Inline or Attachment.

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Confirming That Your Message Was Opened

You can use return receipts to notify you when a recipient has displayed (opened) your message. The recipient must be using a mail program that supports the Message Disposition Notification (MDN) standard. Keep in mind that the recipient may choose not to send you a return receipt, even if you've requested one. Messages you send to a newsgroup address will not include a return receipt request, since news servers don't support this feature.

To request return receipts for all messages you send, you can use the global Return Receipt preferences to specify how to manage requests you receive for return receipts. You can override these global preferences for individual accounts.

To request a return receipt on a per-message basis:

To automatically request return receipts when sending messages from each of your mail accounts:

  1. Open the &brandShortName; Edit menu and choose Preferences.
  2. Under the Mail & Newsgroups category, click Return Receipts. (If no subcategories are visible, double-click Mail & Newsgroups to expand the list.)
  3. Select When sending messages, always request a return receipt.
  4. Click OK.

For more information on setting return receipt preferences, see Mail & Newsgroups Preferences - Return Receipts.

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Saving and Editing a Message Draft

To save a mail message as a draft so you can complete it later:

To edit or send a message draft, begin from the Mail window:

  1. Click the Drafts folder for the account where you created the message draft.
  2. Click the message that you want to edit.
  3. In the top-right corner of the message, click the Edit Draft button.
  4. Edit the message as necessary.
  5. Click Send to send the message or click Save to save the message so you can complete it later.

    Note: Sending the message removes it from the Drafts folder.

Tip: You can also double-click the message to open it for editing. This is especially useful if the message pane is closed.

To delete one or more unwanted message drafts, begin from the Mail window:

  1. Click the Drafts folder for the account where you created the message drafts.
  2. Select the message drafts that you want to delete.
  3. Click Delete in the Mail toolbar.

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Creating and Using Templates

Templates are useful for setting the default format for messages that you send regularly, such as weekly status reports. You can save a message as a template from any window in which it is displayed, including from within a Mail compose window.

To save a message to use as a template:

  1. In the Mail window, click Compose to create a new message and then set the default font, text size, text color, background color, and any other default formatting you want.

    Alternatively, open an existing message that already has the formatting you want.

  2. While displaying the message, open the File menu, choose Save As, then choose Template. The message is stored as a template in the Templates folder for the current mail account.

To compose a message using a template:

  1. In the Mail window, select the Templates folder for the account where you created the message template.
  2. Double-click the message template to open it.
  3. Edit the message, then save it (to put it in the Drafts folder) or send it.

    Note: Sending the message does not remove the template from the Templates folder. The template is preserved for future use.

To delete one or more unwanted message templates, begin from the Mail window:

  1. Click the Templates folder for the account where you created the message templates.
  2. Select the message templates that you want to delete.
  3. Click Delete in the Mail toolbar.

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Creating HTML Mail Messages

In this section:

Using HTML in Your Messages

HTML messages can include formatted text, links, images, and tables—just like a web page. However, some recipients may not be able to receive HTML messages. &brandShortName; Mail & Newsgroups allows you to compose mail and newsgroup messages using either the HTML (rich-text) formatting editor or the plain-text editor for each mail account you have. In addition, you can choose whether your addressees should receive HTML or plain-text messages by default, and how Mail & Newsgroups should handle messages when it's not known if an addressee can receive HTML-formatted mail.

To specify whether to use the HTML editor as the default for composing messages, begin from the Mail window:

  1. Open the Edit menu and choose Mail & Newsgroups Account Settings. You see the Mail & Newsgroups Account Settings dialog box.
  2. Select the mail or newsgroup account you want to use.
  3. Go to the Composition & Addressing panel and select Compose messages in HTML format. You see the Formatting toolbar in the Compose window. Leave this box unchecked to use the plain-text editor for this account.

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Editing or Inserting HTML Elements

If you understand how to work with HTML source code, you can edit or insert additional HTML tags, style attributes, and JavaScript in your mail message. If you are not sure how to work with HTML source code, it's best not to change it. To work with HTML code, use one of these methods:

For more information on editing HTML source code, see Using the Advanced Property Editor.

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Choosing HTML Mail Sending Options

By default, Mail & Newsgroups prompts you before sending HTML messages when it's not known whether the recipient's mail program can display HTML-formatted messages.

To choose sending-format options for mail messages, begin from the Mail window:

  1. Open the &brandShortName; Edit menu and choose Preferences.
  2. Under the Mail & Newsgroups category, click Send Format. (If no subcategories are visible, double-click Mail & Newsgroups to expand the list).

    Note: This preference applies only to mail messages, not to newsgroup messages.

  3. Select the option you want and then click OK.

If while composing a message you realize that one or more recipients may not be able to receive HTML-formatted mail, you can easily convert the message to a different format when you click Send:

  1. In the Compose window, open the Options menu and choose Format.
  2. Select the format you want to use for sending the message from the submenu:
  3. When you've finished composing the message, click Send.

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Specifying Recipients for HTML Messages

You can save time by indicating whether individuals in your address books prefer to receive either HTML messages or plain text messages.

  1. Open the Window menu and choose Address Book.
  2. Select the address book on the left and then select the individual's card on the right.
  3. Click Properties to display the Card for dialog box.
  4. In the Contact tab, use the Prefers to receive messages formatted as drop-down list to select HTML if you know this recipient can read HTML-formatted messages (such as messages that include links, images, or tables).

    If this recipient can only read messages sent as plain text (no formatting), then choose Plain Text. If you don't know or are not sure, choose Unknown.

    If you choose Unknown, &brandShortName; Mail & Newsgroups determines the sending format based on the Send Format settings for Mail & Newsgroups in the Preferences dialog box. If Mail & Newsgroups still can't determine the correct format, it will prompt you to choose a sending format when you send the message.

  5. Click OK.

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Viewing the Message Source for HTML Messages

You can quickly view the HTML and other code that generates an HTML message you've received:

  1. In the message list window, open the message.
  2. Open the View menu and choose Message Source.

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Using the HTML Mail Question Dialog Box

The HTML Mail Question dialog box appears when you try to send a message to someone whose mail program may not be able to display HTML messages or when Mail & Newsgroups cannot determine whether your recipient can display HTML messages. If you are in doubt, send the message in both HTML and plain-text formats.

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Using Attachments

In this section:

Attaching a File or Web Page

To attach a file to an outgoing mail message:

  1. In the Compose window, click Attach or open the File menu and choose Attach File. You see the Enter file to attach dialog box.

    Tip: You can also click inside the Attachments area to attach a file.

  2. Type the name of the file you want to attach, or select a file from your hard drive that you want to attach.
  3. Click Open. The filename appears in the Attachments area.

Tip: You can also drag and drop one or more files from your desktop into the Attachments area in the Compose window.

To attach a web page to an outgoing mail message:

  1. In the Compose window, open the File menu and choose Attach Web Page.
  2. In the dialog box, enter the URL of the page and then click OK. The web page URL appears in the Attachments area.

Tip: When you are viewing a page in the browser, you can send the page to someone by opening the File menu and choosing Send Page.

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Viewing and Opening Attachments

If you receive a mail attachment that consists of a file type that &brandShortName; can display (such as graphic files and HTML files), you see the attachment displayed inline (in the body of the message). For other file types, Mail & Newsgroups lets you open the attachment using another application, or you can save the attachment on your hard disk.

To open the attachment, make sure you have a program on your computer that can open files of the same type as the attachment's file format. For example, if you want to open a .DOC file, make sure you have a program on your computer that can open .DOC files.

To open an attachment:

  1. Double-click the attachment you want (if there is more than one).
  2. In the Downloading dialog box, choose what you want &brandShortName; to do with the attachment:
  3. Click OK.

Note: If you are viewing your mail using an IMAP mail server, all attachments remain on the server.

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Saving Attachments

To save an attachment:

  1. In the right side of the message envelope, under Attachments, select the attachment that you want to save.
  2. Right-click or, if you have a one-button mouse, Ctrl-clickthe attachment and choose Save As from the pop-up menu.
  3. Choose a filename and location for the attachment on your hard disk and then click OK. Mail & Newsgroups downloads the attachment and saves it to the specified location.

Tip: To save all attachments, right-click or, if you have a one-button mouse, Ctrl-clickthe first one in the attachment list, and choose Save All. You can then specify the location where you want all the attachments to be saved.

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Deleting Messages

In this section:

Deleting POP or IMAP Messages

How you delete messages depends on your mail server type: POP or IMAP. Deleted POP messages are automatically moved to the Trash folder. IMAP users can set different options for deleting messages.

To delete messages from your Inbox or other folders, begin from the Mail window:

  1. In the message list, select the messages and click Delete. By default, Mail & Newsgroups moves the selected messages to the Trash folder.
  2. To delete messages permanently, open the File menu and choose Empty Trash.

To delete messages without opening them, begin from the Mail window:

  1. Open the View menu and choose Layout, and then uncheck Message Pane.

    Alternatively, click the Message Pane handle (the ridged area centered at the bottom of the message list) to close the message pane.

  2. In the message list, select the messages and click Delete.

To set deletion preferences for IMAP messages:

  1. Open the Edit menu and choose Mail & Newsgroups Account Settings. You see the Mail & Newsgroups Account Settings dialog box.
  2. Locate the IMAP account you want, and then click the Server Settings category under the account name.
  3. Select the options you want for deleting messages and click OK.

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Moving Messages To and From the Trash

If you use a POP server to deliver your mail, or if you set up IMAP to use the Trash folder, follow these steps to delete messages from your Inbox or other folders:

  1. In the message list, select the messages you want to delete.
  2. Click Delete. Mail & Newsgroups moves the messages to the Trash folder.

To recover messages from the Trash:

  1. Click the Trash folder.
  2. Select the messages you want to recover and drag them to another folder.

To delete messages permanently:

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