10
Quarterdeck Message Center Basics
Getting Around QMC
In this chapter you will learn:
t	How to start and exit QMC.
t	How to customize QMC.
t	How to change your online and offline status.
t	About QMC's window and screen elements.
Starting QMC
To start QMC:
 u 	If you are using Windows 95, display the Start menu, then select Programs, Quarterdeck InternetSuite, and finally Quarterdeck Message Center.
 u 	If you are using Windows 3.1, 3.11 or NT, double-click the Quarterdeck Message Center icon in the Quarterdeck InternetSuite Program Group.
To start QMC when Quarterdeck Mosaic is running:
 u 	Choose Mail/News from Mosaic's Tools menu. 
The Message Center's main window opens. See "The Quarterdeck Message Center Screen" on page 99 for details.
Exiting QMC
To exit QMC at any time: 
 u 	Double click QMC's Control menu in the upper left corner of the window or pull down the File menu and select Exit.
Customizing the Message Center
QMC lets you change the way it operates in a number of areas in order to suit your work style and needs.
To customize the Message Center:
1	Pull down the Tools menu and select Preferences.
The Preferences dialog box displays. At the top of the dialog box are several tabs that display options for various aspects of QMC. 

The tabs and options are described in detail in the online help.
2	Click each tab to display related options.

Figure 30: Preferences Dialog Box-View Tab
3	Change any option settings, as applicable.
4	Click any other tab and change any additional options.
5	Click either OK or Apply Now.
OK closes the dialog box and saves your changes. Apply Now applies your changes immediately for viewing and leaves the dialog box open. You can cancel the changes and make additional changes on this or other tabs in this dialog box.
Modifying Network Settings
You can check and modify network options you specified during installation, by using Location Manager.
To view or modify the Network Settings:
 u 	Pull down the Tools menu and select Configure Network.

For information on Location Manager, refer to the included installation guide.
Going Online and Offline
When you start QMC, you do not have to automatically connect to the Internet and go online, although the default setting causes you to go online at startup. You can compose messages with QMC while you are offline, and then connect to the Internet in order to go online and send messages you have created. This reduces the amount of time you spend online and is usually the most cost-effective and efficient approach.
In general, if you are connected to the Internet via a local area network (LAN), you will want to work online. You will not have to think about when to go online and offline for different tasks. If you are using a dial up connection, work offline, to minimize the connection time and associated costs. You will only have a few additional steps to take in order to send and receive mail and news and are likely to save money by working offline whenever possible.
To go online:
 u 	Pull down the Connect menu and select Connect. 
Once the connection occurs, the Disconnect command displays in place of the Connect command on the Connect menu.
To go offline:
 u 	Pull down the Connect menu and select Disconnect. 
You can change one of QMC's Network options so that you are not automatically connected to the Internet each time you start QMC, if you find this to be the best approach for your work style.
To cancel the automatic connection to the Internet each time you start the Message Center:
1	Pull down the Tools menu and select Preferences.
The Preferences dialog box displays.

Figure 31: Preferences Dialog Box-Communication Tab
2	Click the Communication tab.
The Communication options display.
3	Click Go Online at Startup to remove the check.
4	Click OK.
The Quarterdeck Message Center Screen
QMC's main window is designed so you can work visually. It includes:

Figure 32: Main QMC Window and the Mailbox Window
t	A menu bar for opening windows and accessing commands.
t	A toolbar with buttons for instant access to routine mail and newsgroup activities.
t	A status line that shows information about your online/offline status, the number of messages in the current folder and the current date and time.
Depending on the activity you are working on, it may also include:
t	The Mailbox window when you are selecting and managing folders, messages and articles. QMC's folders are similar in purpose to the file folders in which you store your papers. You will use them for storing messages and articles. 
t	The Message window when you are reading messages and articles.
t	The New Message window when you are composing, replying to or forwarding a message.
Toolbar
The toolbar below the menu bar displays buttons that activate certain commonly used commands. Clicking a button on the toolbar is identical to choosing the corresponding command from a menu. Buttons on the toolbar are dimmed when not available.

Figure 33: QMC Toolbar
To turn the Toolbar display on or off:
 u 	Choose Toolbar from the View menu.
To perform any of the actions described below, click the appropriate toolbar button.
Table 2: QMC Toolbar

Opens the QMC Mailbox window.

Lets you subscribe to a newsgroup.

Lets you create a new message.

Lets you reply to the current or selected message.

Lets you forward the current or selected message.

Prints the contents of the current or selected message.
 
Deletes the current or selected message or folder.
 
Displays the previous message in the list of messages.
 
Displays the next message in the list of messages.
 
Marks the selected news article header for retrieval the next time you are online.
 
 Cancels the current downloading or uploading of messages or news articles.
Status Line
The Status Line at the bottom of the QMC window describes the online activity of QMC, the number of messages being retrieved and the number of messages in the selected folder when the mailbox is opened. The status line also shows the date and time.

Figure 34: QMC Status Line
To turn the Status Line display on or off:
 u 	Choose Status Line from the View menu.
Mailbox Window
The QMC Mailbox window is designed to help you visually organize and manage messages and articles. You will also use this window to select what you want to retrieve--messages or newsgroup articles--and what you want to read, move, copy, or delete.
To open the QMC Mailbox window at any time:
 u 	Click the Mailbox button on the toolbar or pull down the View menu and select Mailbox.
When the Mailbox window opens, the Inbox is always selected.

Figure 35: Mailbox Window
The Mailbox window includes:
t	A folder tree with folders for storing your messages and articles. QMC provides a few folders to start you out and you can add as many as you need.
t	A display of newsgroups to which you subscribe in the folder tree. When you first install QMC, there are a few newsgroups in the tree, to get you started.
t	A message/article display area for viewing the list of messages or articles within each folder. This is called the message list.

For complete information on the Mailbox window, folders and message storage, see "Mailbox Window" on page 133.
Pop-up Menus
Right mouse button menus, also known as pop-up menus, are available in the mailbox window. They provide quick access to frequently used commands when viewing and working with the folder tree or message list.
 u 	When you click on a folder with the right mouse button, the Folder pop-up menu displays.

Figure 36: Folder Pop-up Menu
 u 	When you click on a message with the right mouse button, the Message pop-up menu displays.

Figure 37: Message Pop-up Menu
The commands found on these menus are identical in function to those found on the Message, Folder and Connect menus described throughout this document.
