Selecting and Installing an E-mail Client

Choosing an e-mail program
There are a number of e-mail programs to choose from.

A very popular, easy-to-use program is Eudora Light 3.0 by Qualcomm Incorporated.  This version of their e-mail program is free, and if you find you need more features than it provides, you can upgrade to their commercial version for about $40 (street price).  Of the three programs described in this document, Eudora is probably the fastest performing, and most intuitive to use, and even works well on older, slower computers.  (It is the author's personal favorite!)   You can download it (both PC and Macintosh versions) from our Download Depot.

Next is Netscape Messenger, which is included with recent versions of Netscape Communicator.  This program is also easy to use, although it's large and takes a while to start up on slower PCs.  Chances are, if you have Netscape on your computer, you can find Netscape Messenger on a Windows PC by clicking Start -> Programs -> Netscape Communicator -> Netscape Messenger.

Microsoft Outlook Express is included with the PC version Microsoft Internet Explorer and you can usually find an icon on your desktop for it.  If not, look under Start -> Programs -> Outlook Express.  (Macintosh users can download it from our Download Depot.)   Outlook Express is a tad less intuive to use, but it's fast, and if you're used to Microsoft's "style," it looks and feels a lot like most Microsoft software.

In summary:

Configuration
An overview is provided here for configuring the three e-mail clients described in this document.  If you have trouble, or need assistance, call the Computer Support Center at x5999.  You can install more than one of these programs if you like, and try them out.  However, generally speaking, any mail messages that you download while using one of these programs will not be readable while using another!  So try each one out if you want, but it is recommended that you decide on one of them and stick with it to keep things simple.  Click one of the following links to jump to the installation instructions for the e-mail program you would like to configure:

Eudora Light
Netscape Messenger
Microsoft Outlook Express

Installing and Configuring Eudora Light
Eudora Light is a "stand alone" product.  As such, it is probably not already installed on your computer, as might be the case with Netscape Messenger or Microsoft Outlook Express. Eudora is not "part" of another product you might already have installed.  You will have to download the appropriate (PC or Macintosh) version from the Download Depot.   (If you are connected to the Residential Network, the download should only take about 10 seconds.)  Save the installation program to your computer's desktop, and install it from there by double-clicking its icon, and answering all questions with the default answers.  Once installed, you can delete the installation kit that you saved to your desktop.  Configure Eudora as follows:

	Step Eudora-1
	Click Start -> Programs -> Eudora Lite to start Eudora.  Normally, if this is the first time you have ever run Eudora, it will ask you if you want Eudora to be your computer's "default" e-mail program.  Answering YES is recommended.

	Step Eudora-2
	Eudora may then display an information box like the one shown here.   Just close it.

	Step Eudora-3
	Eudora will then display the first configuration screen as shown here.   IF IT DOES NOT, click Tools and then Options... on Eudora's menu as shown here: Under "POP account", type in your e-mail address.  Make sure you type it correctly, including the mail.hartford.edu part! Under "Real name", type in your name as you'd like it to appear on messages you send out. Under "Return address", type your e-mail address again, exactly as it appears under "POP account".

	Step Eudora-4
	Click the Hosts icon in the Category section to the left. Your POP account may already be filled in - but you must modify it.  Change it to your e-mail name plus "@mail.hartford.edu".  See the example to the right. Under SMTP: If you are configuiring your computer for on-campus use, or are dialing into the university, type in mail.hartford.edu as shown to the right. If you are using an off campus Internet Service Provider such as DSL, or Cable Modem, you must enter the name of your ISP's SMTP server (call your ISP or visit their web site for details). See note at the end of this document. Leave Ph and Finger blank.

	Step Eudora-5
	Click the Sending Mail icon in the Category section to the left. The Return address and SMTP server should already be filled in. Under Domain to add to unqualified addresses, type in mail.hartford.edu as shown to the right. It is recommended that you leave all of the options turned on (leave the check marks in place.) Now click the OK button to save your new settings.

That's it!  Eudora is ready to use.   To get your mail, click File -> Check Mail.  To send a message, click Message -> New Message.  It's pretty easy!  Now read the Notes section at the end of this document.

Configuring Netscape Messenger
Netscape Messenger is included with recent versions of Netscape's web browser.  See if you can find it on your computer by clicking Start -> Programs -> Netscape Communicator -> Netscape Messenger.   If you cannot, you will have to download and install a newer version of Netscape Communicator from the Download Depot.   Once you have Netscape Messenger properly installed, start it by clicking Start -> Programs -> Netscape Communicator -> Netscape Messenger.  Netscape Messenger will respond in one of two ways:

• It will display a "Create a New Profile" dialog box, which will lead you through all of the configuration questions needed to set up your e-mail.  If this happens, go to Step Messenger-A1.
• It will simply start up without asking any questions.  If this happens, go to Step Messenger-B1.

	Step Messenger-A1
	If Netscape Messenger displays a Creating a New Profile dialog box as displayed here, click Next to get started. If this dialog box does not appear, skip to Step Messenger-B1.

	Step Messenger-A2
	Under Full Name, type in your name as shown. Under Email Address (if available), type in your e-mail address.  Make sure you type it correctly! Click Next.

	Step Messenger-A3
	The Profile Name should already be filled-in with your e-mail name (just the name part of it), and the default directory should also already be filled-in with an acceptable default. Click Next.

	Step Messenger-A4
	Under Outgoing mail (SMTP) server: If you are configuiring your computer for on-campus use, or are dialing into the university, type in mail.hartford.edu as shown to the right. If you are using an off campus Internet Service Provider such as DSL, or Cable Modem, you must enter the name of your ISP's SMTP server (call your ISP or visit their web site for details). See note at the end of this document. Click Next.

	Step Messenger-A5
	Under Mail server user name, type in your e-mail name (just the name part, without the "mail.hartford.edu" part.) Under Incoming Mail Server, type mail.hartford.edu as shown. Make sure Mail Server type is set to POP3 as shown. Click Next.

	Step Messenger-A6
	Under News (NNTP) server, type in news.hartford.edu as shown. Leave the Port set to 119. Click Finish.

	Step Messenger-A7
	As Netscape Messenger starts up with your new configuration, it might display the dialog box shown to the right.  If you normally use Netscape as your web browser, answer Yes.  If you normally use Microsoft Internet Explorer as your web browser, answer No.

	Step Messenger-A8
	As Netscape Messenger starts up with your new configuration, it might display the dialog box shown to the right. Click Yes.

That's it!  Netscape Messenger is ready to use.  To get your mail messages, click the Get Msg button at the top of the window.  To send a message, click the New Msg button.   Now read the Notes section at the end of this document.

You only need to use the following instructions if Netscape Messenger did not display the configuration wizard as described in the steps above.

	Step Messenger-B1
	If Netscape Messenger does not start its configuration wizard automatically, you will have to configure it manually. From the Edit menu, click Preferences...

	Step Messenger-B2
	The Preferences dialog box will appear.  Under the Category section, click Identity.

	Step Messenger-B3
	Under Your name, type in your full name as you want it to appear on messages that you send. Under Email address, type in your full e-mail address.  Be sure to type it correctly! Leave the rest of the fields blank. Click Mail Servers under the Category section.

	Step Messenger-B4
	Your screen should look like that to the right.  If there are any items listed under Incoming Mail Servers, highlight them and click the Delete button until the screen looks like that to the right. Click the Add... button.

	Step Messenger-B5
	The Mail Server Properties dialog box will appear. In Server Name, type in mail.hartford.edu. Set Server Type to POP3 Server. In User Name, type your e-mail name, just the name part, without the "mail.hartford.edu" part. You might want to consider checking the Remember password option. It is recommended that you not enable the Check for mail every 15 minutes option, but if you do, do not set the interval to less than 15 minutes. Click the OK button.

	Step Messenger-B6
	The Preferences dialog box will re-appear. In Outgoing Mail (SMTP)  Server: If you are configuiring your computer for on-campus use, or are dialing into the university, type in mail.hartford.edu as shown to the right. If you are using an off campus Internet Service Provider such as DSL, or Cable Modem, you must enter the name of your ISP's SMTP server (call your ISP or visit their web site for details). See note at the end of this document. Click the OK button.

That's it!  Netscape Messenger is ready to use.  To get your mail messages, click the Get Msg button at the top of the window.  To send a message, click the New Msg button.   Now read the Notes section at the end of this document.

Configuring Microsoft Outlook Express
Microsoft Outlook Express is included with recent versions of Microsoft's web browser.  See if you can find it on your computer by clicking Start -> Programs -> Outlook Express.  If you cannot, you will have to download and install a newer version of Microsoft Internet Explorer from the Download Depot.   Once you have Microsoft Outlook Express properly installed, start it by clicking Start -> Programs -> Outlook Express.

	Step Express-1
	If a "configuration wizard" appears, just click Cancel.   On the Tools menu, choose Accounts....

	Step Express-2
	The Internet Accounts dialog box will appear. If there are any accounts listed, it is suggested that you highlight each one and click Remove until your screen looks like that to the right.

	Step Express-3
	Click the Add button and then choose Mail... from the menu that pops up as a result.

	Step Express-4
	When the Internet Connection Wizard dialog box appears and prompts for Your Name, type in your full name as you'd like it to appear on messages you send. Click Next.

	Step Express-5
	When prompted for the Internet E-mail Address, type in your e-mail address.  Make sure you type it correctly! Click Next.

	Step Express-6
	When prompted for the E-mail Server Names: Set My incoming mail server to POP3. Set Incoming mail server to mail.hartford.edu. Set Outgoing mail server as follows: If you are configuiring your computer for on-campus use, or are dialing into the university, type in mail.hartford.edu as shown to the right. If you are using an off campus Internet Service Provider such as DSL, or Cable Modem, you must enter the name of your ISP's SMTP server (call your ISP or visit their web site for details). Click Next.

	Step Express-7
	When prompted for the Internet Mail Logon information: In Account name, type in your e-mail name, just the name, without the "mail.hartford.edu" part. In Password, type in your e-mail password. You may choose to place a check in Remember password. Click Next.

	Step Express-8
	To save your settings, click Finish on the Internet Connection Wizard's Congratulations screen.

	Step Express-9
	You will be returned to the Internet Accounts dialog box where you should now see a new account called "mail.hartford.edu". Click Close to finish.

That's it!  Outlook Express is ready to use.  To get your mail messages, click Tools -> Send and Receive -> Send and Receive All menu option.  To send a message, click the New Mail button.   Now read the Notes section at the end of this document.

Notes

• Most off-campus broadband Internet Service Providers providing DSL and Cable Modem service have configured their networks so that you can no longer send mail out through the University's mail server -- you must use the ISP's outgoing mail server. (This is done to help reduce the amount of spam in the Internet.) You still configure your University email account and reply address as normal -- only the outgoing mail server must be set to the ISP's server. Messages you send out through your ISP will still appear to the recipients to have come from you at your University email address, and if they hit REPLY, you will receive their response in your University email account as expected.
• POP e-mail programs download your messages to your hard disk and delete them from the e-mail server.  This means that you cannot download your mail to your computer and then go and read it from another computer using WebMail.  (WebMail can only see messages when they are still on the server.)  This is normal.
• WebMail does not remove messages from the server when you read them (unless you explicitly tell it to delete a message), so when you return to your own computer, your e-mail program can still download the messages you may have read earlier while in a lab, or while at home on break, using WebMail.