Using Netscape to Check Mail From an External Network

This document covers setting Netscape 7.2 up to check an Ames Laboratory e-mail account from a non-AmesLab network. Note that while we set the SMTP host as mailhub.ameslab.gov, this will make it impossible to send mail to non-@ameslab.gov addresses. If you need to do this, use webmail or your own ISP's SMTP relay.

To access the screens below, open Netscape and run the Messenger component (Window->Mail & Newsgroups). In Messenger, edit the account settings (Edit -> Mail & Newsgroups Account Settings...).

Select "Email account" and click "Next".

Enter your name as you'd like it to appear on outgoing e-mails, then enter your Ames Laboratory e-mail address. Click "Next" when finished.

If you'd like to manipulate mail directly on the server so that it is available from other locations, choose the IMAP account type. If you'd prefer to just download the messages to the local machine and remove them from the server, choose the POP account type. Click "Next" when finished.

Enter your e-mail server user name. This will most likely be the part of your e-mail address prior to the '@' symbol. Click "Next" when finished.

The account name is arbitrary, but it is a good idea for it to be somewhat descriptive. Leaving the default account name is fine. Click "Next" to continue.

If everything looks okay, click "Finish" to setup the account.

Open this screen (if it doesn't come up automatically) by clicking on Edit->Mail & Newsgroups Account Settings... again. Make sure the following items are correct:

1. "Use secure connection (SSL)" Check this so that your e-mail, username, and password are all encrypted. This is always a good idea when using Ames Laboratory resources from outside the lab.
2. [IMAP Only] "Clean up ("Expunge") Inbox on Exit" Check this so that deleted items are automatically removed from the server.
3. "Empty Trash on Exit" This should be checked to automatically remove deleted items from the local machine.
4. [IMAP Only] "Advanced..." Click this to go to the advanced configuration screen (see below).

[IMAP Only]

1. "Server supports folders that contain sub-folders and messages" Our server does not, so uncheck this box if using IMAP.

Click on "Outgoing Server (SMTP)" to edit these properties. Remember, to send mail to users outside Ames Laboratory, us your ISP's mail server here!

1. "Server name:" Set this to the mail server name to use for outgoing mail (mailhub.ameslab.gov is our default here).
2. "Use secure connection (SSL):" Leave this on "When available" so that if encryption is offered, it will be used.