IMAP is a newer electronic mail protocol that works very well for the kind of structure found in the FaithGroups from Ecunet conferencing system, as it automatically sorts meeting messages into folders .

NOTE: Users may choose between IMAP and POP3 electronic mail access at FaithGroups from Ecunet. If you prefer POP3 access to your Inbox, please select the "set-up HELP" link under the "POP3 use of FaithGroups from Ecunet" header found at the "Edit Preferences" section of "My Profile."

Step One: Setting up IMAP in the web interface.

NOTE: In step two below, you'll find instructions about how to set up the email software on your computer to get your FaithGroups from Ecunet notes sorted into folders. Please be aware that when you first use IMAP, your mail software will NOT show all the meetings as folders. New folders are automatically created in IMAP only when a NEW MESSAGE ARRIVES in a meeting to which you belong. For example, you can expect the meeting "Public" to be created as a folder in your IMAP software only after you have forwarded your meeting notes to IMAP folders from the web interface, installed the IMAP mail software correctly on your computer, AND recieved your first new note in a meeting after installation.

Step Two: Setting up your email software client.

IMAP mail client (generic). You must set your options/preferences. Open your email client, and enter your FaithGroups from Ecunet "Inbox name" and "Password" in the fields provided. Next, you will tell the mail client where to look to retrieve your FaithGroups from Ecunet Inbox.

Incoming mail. You must select IMAP as your incoming mail server protocol in the Preferences or Set-up area of your mail client.  Next, enter your "FaithGroups from Ecunet Inbox name" and "FaithGroups from Ecunet Inbox password" in the fields for "user name" and "password." IMPORTANT: When entering your inbox name replace spaces with periods. For example, John.Doe or Jane.Smith.

Incoming mail server address. Next, you must next type in the "name" of the IMAP incoming mail server you will be using. You will retrieve notes from our parent email server: "mail.ecunet.org."  Please enter this as your IMAP incoming mail server address.

When you are prompted for your "Return or Reply address," you will type in your FaithGroups from Ecunet user name, such as "Jon.Doe@Ecunet.org" (if you are IMAP mail forwarding, the last part of your email address will be @ecunet.org). Follow any additional prompts to set up your IMAP account in your email client software then save the changes, usually by clicking [OK] or [Finish].

Outgoing mail server address (SMTP). In the field provided for SMTP, please type in your Internet Service Provider's outbound mail server address. This is usually as simple as using the domain name (such as "earthlink.com"), and adding "mail." to the front of it. So the SMTP (outgoing mail server) would be "mail.earthlink.com" or "mail.mindspring.com" or "mail.flash.net". Members must use their ISP's outgoing mail server!  Please call your ISP if you do not know the outgoing SMTP address.

NOTE: When sending messages or replying to FaithGroups from Ecunet mail from your email client please set your preferences or options to send outbound mail as "plain text" and not "html." By sending mail in plain text FaithGroups from Ecunet members will be able to read your messages in meetings and in their personal Inboxes.

Step-by-step for setting up IMAP Outlook Express 5.5 or higher

1) For Outlook Express 5.0 Windows95/98 users, open Outlook Express (OE), go to the [Tools] menu, click on [Accounts], then click on [Add], then [Mail]. The Internet Connection Wizard dialogue box is displayed.

2) You are prompted for your name. Enter your first and last name, then click on [Next]. You are then prompted for your email address. Enter your Ecunet e-mail address, e.g. jane.smith@ecunet.org, or jane.smith@ecunet.org then click [Next].

3) You are then prompted for your "Incoming mail (POP3, IMAP, or HTTP) server," select IMAP from the pull-down menu, then type in mail.ecunet.org as your "Incoming mail server."

4) In the same dialogue box you are prompted for your "Outgoing mail (SMTP) server." Please type in your Internet Service Provider's outbound mail server address. This is usually as simple as using the domain name (such as "earthlink.com"), and adding "mail." to the front of it. So the SMTP (outgoing mail server) would be "mail.earthlink.com" or "mail.mindspring.com" or "mail.flash.net". Click [Next] to go to the next dialogue box.

5) You are then prompted for your account name and password. Type your inbox name in the "Account name:" box using the following format, Jane.Smith or Jane_Smith. Type your inbox password in the "Password:" box. Click [Next]. Click [Next] to go to the next dialogue box.

6) Click [Finish] to complete the account setup. The "Internet Accounts" dialog box will appear, make sure "mail.ecunet.org" is highlighted, and select the "Set as Default" button on the right.  Click on [Close].

7) You will be asked if you "Would like to download folders from the mail server you added," click [Yes].

8) In the Show/Hide IMAP folders dialog box, click [OK].

9) Send a trial note addressed to mailrequests@ecunet.org, with Help as the subject line.  This will provide you with commands you can use from your mail client to control your FaithGroups from Ecunet mail account.  Click on the [Send/Recv] button to process your mail.

NOTE: You can set up separate identities in Outlook Express for several Inboxes in order to maintain the privacy of different Inboxes. To set up a separate identity for a different inbox click on the [File] menu in Outlook Express, then click on [Identities], then [Add New Identity...] You will be prompted to "Type your name:", enter the inbox name you wish to add. You can protect this identity with a password by clicking inside the box to the left of "Ask me for a password when I start." Be sure to write down the password or keep it in a safe place.