Services & Resources

SN-ITS

Email

I want to setup my home computer to get my email. What do I do?

What is the new Ann Arbor dial-in number?

I don't live in Ann Arbor and I want to dial in and check my email. Are there numbers I can call?

I get messages from Godzilla all the time telling me my email is full. What can I do?

Can I set up an email list for my whole class?

I'm going on vacation and I usually get a lot of email. Is there a way I can automatically let people know that I am away from my email?

I'm leaving the University. Is there any way I can have my email forwarded?

I always hear about "good" passwords. How do I know if my password is secure enough?

How do I set up an address book in Pine?

Email

I want to set up my home computer to get email. What do I do?: Answer: In order to use email at home you need (1) a modem, (2) the "blue disk" that has internet and email software, and (3) to configure you computer to make the connections.

You're own your own for the modem. You can go to the Computer Showcase in the Michigan Union basement or go to your favorite computer store for advice.

To obtain the blue disk: (sometimes the sn-its team has one you can borrow so check with us) but information on how to get the blue is here.

To install the access kit for Windows 95/98/NT go here, for Windows 3.1 go here, for Macintosh go here. For Windows 95/98 users you will also need to configure your computer for dial in. Those instructions are here.

Additional information about dial-in can be found on this web page.
What is the new Ann Arbor dial-in number?: Answer: The new Ann Arbor is 489-2222. If you are not currently using this number to dial-in you should change it as the old numbers are slowly being phased out. To change this dial-in number check out this reference sheet for directions.
I don't live in Ann Arbor and I want to dial in and check my email. Are there numbers I can call?: Answer: Yes, there are local dial-in numbers for all areas in Michigan as well as New York City and Washington D.C. Those numbers are all located here.
I get messages from Godzilla all the time telling me my email is full. What can I do?: Answer: Godzilla is the email monster that let's you know when you've gone over your mail quota. Godzilla won't let go of any new incoming messages until you go back under quota. You need to clear out your messages before godzilla quits holding your new incoming messages. Godzilla should visit less often these days because the mail quota has been doubled from 5MB to 10MB. Nevertheless, there is a maximum that says all if available space gets used your mail will be held. For more informaion about Godzilla click here for a reference sheet.
Can I set up an email list for my whole class?: Answer: Yes, the university offers a free service for all faculty where they will set up and maintain an email list for your class. Basically what you need to do is either go to this web page and fill out the form or download this Word-formatted form and fax it to 936-1549. This is NOT done by sn-its but ITD. Someone from ITD should call you 2-3 days after your request to confirm that the list was created. More information about this service is available at this web page.
I'm going on vacation and I usually get a lot of email. Is there a way I can automatically let people know that I am away from my email?: Answer: Yes, there is a feature on the X.500 directory which will automatically send a notice out to everyone who emails you while you are away letting them know you are unreachable. First to to this web page. Then enter your own uniqname into the search field and click "submit". When your entry appears on the screen click on the line at the very top that reads "View entire entry". It will then ask to to log in with your uniqname and password. Now you have two items to change in your entry. First click on "change On Vacation". Choose "True" on the next screen and click "Verify Change" and then "Confirm Change". Now you need to click "change Vacation Message". On the ext screen you can type whatever message you want people to receive while you are vacation. (Some thing such as: I am on vacation until 1/6/99. If you need immediate assistance during this time please contact John Doe at 555-5555.) Then again click "Verify Change" and then "Confirm Change". Just remember: When you return you need to switch back the "On Vacation" field to "FALSE".
I'm leaving the University. Is there any way I can have my email forwarded?: Answer: Of course there is. You can add an email address to your X.500 directory through this web page. Do a search for your own uniqname and choose "View entire entry". The option you should click is "Change E-Mail Destination". Then enter whatever email address you wish to have your email forwarded to. For more information on email forwarding at the University check out this page.
I always hear about "good" passwords. How do I know if my password is secure enough?: Answer: The basic guidlines for passwords are to choose something that does not contain a word in the dictionary and also has a combination of upper case letters, lower case letters, numbers and non-alphanumeric characters. A good password should also be at least 6-8 characters long. For more guidelines on secure passwords check here.
How do I set up an address book in Pine?: Answer: When Pine starts it should open to the main menu. (If it doesn't press "M" to get to the main menu.) Once you are at the main menu hit "A" or cursor down to the words "Address Book" and hit enter. The first line on the next screen should say ".addressbook". Hit enter on that line.

To add a new entry click and hold the shift key plus the "2". (In effect type @) Then fill in a nickname for the person, their full name and their email address. Then click ctrl-X to save that entry. Now to email that person all you have to type in the address line of the email is the nickname you have assigned the person and their email address will appear.

You can also create email groups in the same manner except in the nickname field make a nickname for the group and in the address field enter all the email addresses separated by commas. Just remember if you make groups they are stored in your pine address book and therefore cannot be used by other people. To create email groups that many people can send to create an entry in the X.500 directory.

Back to top