ePOST

Messaging stuff that may come handy.

Introduction

Messaging embraces more than electronic mail only. The e-buzz word these days is Unified Messaging. Some providers got it right, others have a long way to go. Key is how you are going to use it. Do you prefer an electronic text based or voice based interface? Mobility only increases the complexity. Not all types of interfaces are currently supported with world wide roaming services. For sure, all the services will contribute to an overload of messages. The playground becomes bigger and the consumers can have more fun for fewer bucks. Electronic mail remains a store and forward service, therefor, users may look for more interactive ways to communicate. A Net-Citizenship today, holds an email address, a chat identity, a homepage and eventually a domain name. Finally, on the Information highway, you want to cruise fast and comfortable.

Tutorials

If you need some advice on what messaging is all about and you have the time to read, then check these links:

About.com electronic mail articles: A Beginner's Guide to Effective Email

Everything E-Mail tips and more

Netiquette by Netiquette

The HelpWeb guide (mail, news, ftp, web)

CyberNetiquette Comics by Disney Online

Ome Wil punt NL (Dutch help pages)

Privacy and Security

You should be concerned about your Privacy on the Internet. Anti-Virus protection is not the only safety net, your mail messages expose a lot about you. Check out Email Privacy info for an audit of your mail setup!

CITES Security has developed a simple web based security wizard with guidelines on how to secure your operating system.

To keep your messages and files confidential, while sending them over the Internet, you can use PGP or S/Mime.

Tom McCune's PGP page

S/MIME and OpenPGP by the Internet Mail Consortium

Providers

I have tested the services of some providers. If you are not travelling, the best choice still remains your local providers' mail service (mostly POP3 protocol based). But it is wise to sign up for a Web based account as well. This will give you a fall back solution and may be used regardless your location, since it only needs Internet access with a browser. Moreover, your company Intranet may block your pop3 access to your private mailbox on the Intranet. The best by-pass today is GMAIL.

Others	Belgacom	CompuServe
Gmail	SkyNet	Itineris
HotMail	La Poste	Xiop
Netscape	PopMail

CompuServe

Usefull for CompuServe (Classic) members but expensive (although the 'pay as you go' option may reduce the cost). Their Webmail service supports automatic forwarding. CompuServe Classic members should first apply for a POP3 account which works very well. Classic accounts are in phase-out as CompuServe 2000 spreads the market. The webmail service is being replaced by Netscape mail.

GMail by Google

Google has started to spread its wings over your mail bag. It's free, big and 'hot'. Outperforms Hotmail with storage and POP3 support.

HotMail

Say no more. Nice integration when using Outlook Express. Used to offer also voice mail and fax services. Seamless integration with MSN Messenger and compatible Instant Messaging clients.

Netscape

Only recommended if you also use Communicator or Navigator. No forwarding offered.

MAC users using old versions of Internet Explorer will experience problems.

PopMail

Not too many banners, but also no auto-forward. 250 Mb storage free service.

It looks like the service is no longer available (last checked on December 2007).

Xiop

Unified Messaging gets on its way. Get a local phone and fax number and the answering machine forwards your messages to the mail box of your choice.The welcome message can be personalised. Fax messages are sent in 'tif' format. Xiop is now owned by Tiscali.

Sample: call +32-7-0709948.

Itineris - Orange

Unified Messaging services for GSM users are offered. Be aware of foreign language support, though.The vocal operator may only be English and French spoken. A new message notification (via SMS) will be sent to your GSM. Mail can be checked by phone (with a vocal operator) or by a POP3 mailer. Itineris? Yes, now Orange...

Sample: send a message.

La Poste

Impressive support: POP3, IMAP, SMTP and Webmail. All for free, if you have an official address in France. Now offers 100 Mb free storage.

Belgacom and SkyNet

POP3 awaits to be taken over by IMAP4. But you will have to live with it for a while.

The support of Belgacom and SkyNet POP3 servers is weak (time outs, account locks, etc.) and the service has been often unavailable. Moreover, they do not offer forwarding to other mailboxes. Read-only Web access to your mailbox is available.

The free Belgacom service is often out of service and might be discontinued in the near future.

Check here for the Belgacom Network Status.

Others

Many other service providers are available in Cyberspace. A Free Email Directory you can find at emailaddresses.com.

Microsoft Messenger

How to get rid of MSN Messenger?

UNINSTALL MESSENGER is a Freeware tool that will uninstall Windows Messenger on Windows XP platforms.

Outlook Express

Microsoft Outlook Express - Housekeeping !

Follow these five steps to migrate the Outlook Express (OE) files to the folder of your choice.

Read also the instructions on the Microsoft Support site.

Outlook users can use the Backup Tool from Microsoft.

create a folder on your drive

First create a folder to store the OE files.

locate the folder on your drive

Then start OE and select Tools, Options, Maintenance, Store Location: enter here the folder (see picture below).

move the files to the folder on your drive

Close (Exit) the OE application. At next startup of OE, the files will automatically be copied to the new location.

Backup your Account Settings

Export the Account Settings to the selected folder for future reference and backup.

Start OE and select Tools, Accounts, Email, Export: enter here the folder (see picture below).

Backup your Address Book

Export your Address Book to the selected folder for future reference and backup.

Start OE and select Address Book, File, Export: enter here the folder (see picture below).

Outlook Express

Microsoft Outlook Express - Import an Internet Account !

Follow these two steps to import the Outlook Express (OE) Account Settings.

Select in the Tools, Internet Accounts menu the file to import.

Locate the folder in which the Internet Account Settings File is stored.

Adapt the Server settings to the ISP configuration.

Edit the Internet Account Properties and check the Server Settings.

Restore Folders and Contacts Views

Vensters voor Mappen en Contactpersonen herstellen: (here's looking at you, Mamy!)

Onder het menu 'Beeld', kies voor 'Indeling'.

Vervolgens selecteer welke vensters moeten getoond worden:

Contactpersonen

Mappenbalk

Mappenlijst

Statusbalk

Werkbalk

klik in het vakje links van de opties (zie afbeelding hieronder):

Vervolgens klik 'OK' om de selectie te bevestigen.

Outlook Express

Attachments cannot be opened !

For security reasons, some attachments are made inaccessible by Outlook Express.

'Outlook Express heeft de volgende onveilige bestanden ontoegankelijk gemaakt'

Just forward the message (doorsturen) and you will be able to open or save the attached files.

Make sure you have your Anti-Virus scanner enabled before you open any file!