Mail View


Contents


Introduction
Disclaimer
System Requirements
Installation
Running Mail View 
Accessing mail remotely
Clearing out the mail directory
Mail Security
Shareware Version limitations
Buying Mail View 
Bug fixes and new releases
Comments / Questions


Introduction

Mail View is a tool that allows you quick remote access to your office email system. I basically wrote it so that I could read to my MSMAIL* from my Windows CE palmtop, but equally I wanted quick access from home without having to wait ages for the mail file to down load. Psion 5* users can also use this application (for that matter any device that can browse the Web can use this application).

The solution was quite simple, leave a program running on my office PC (Mail View) that simply reads my email for me and puts it on a web page for me to access remotely.

The format of the web page it creates is deliberately simple, I don't want to have to wait downloading flashy graphics over my cell phone link to view a picture I've seen a million times before. 

Equally I don't want to have to read loads of junk mail to get to an important message. Mail View  creates an index page that lists the title, sender and date all of mail messages received whilst it has been running (most recent at the top of the list).

Clicking over a message title will take you to another page with that mail message in. Attachments are listed at the bottom of the page. Clicking over the attachment will allow you to download and open the file (depending upon the host operating system).


Disclaimer

This software is supplied "as is" with no warranty as to its suitability or reliability. No responsibility will be accepted for any loss associated with the failure, mis-operation or otherwise of this software. 


System Requirements

Host PC :
		Windows 95 or NT
		Access to a Web server

Remote PC :
		Web browser facility


Installation

Simply unzip the mailview.zip file that this application comes in to a temporary directory and then run the file "setup.exe"

Follow the prompts


Running Mail View 

1. Run "mailviwe.exe", either by clicking on the icon or by double clicking on it from Windows * Explorer
2. Click OK on the splash screen after carefully considering the text (10 second delay)
3. Enter your email account and password into the appropriate boxes
4. Enter the path to the directory published on the Web. 

If you are running Mail View  on an NT box that has WWW publishing started then the entry would be something like "c:\inetpub\wwwroot\mymail\". 

If you are running on 95 or your NT box does not have WWW publishing services started then you need to map a network drive to the directory on the Web server you want to use and then enter the path.

5. Click on the login button, you may need to answer some questions on some windows that appear 
6. Click on the start button.

Accessing Mail Remotely

On the device you want to use to read your mail (Psion, Windows CE, Windows 95 / NT) do what ever you need to do to connect you to the Internet and fire up the Web browser.

Open the file "mail.htm" on the server you are using, e.g. if you are putting your mail in a server directory called "anyserver.co.uk/jons_mail" then the you need to enter the web location "http://anyserver.co.uk/jons_mail/mail.htm"

Clearing out the mail directory

If you find your index page gets full of old web messages simply delete all of the files in the web path directory. 

Initially you'll get "file not found" when you try to access the mail file remotely, but as soon as new mail arrives the file will be re-created but without the old messages in.

Mail Security

Security of your mail is obviously an important issue. Personally I manage the web server PC and so I simply only allow incoming connections from my home and palmtop PCs IP address, simple but effective enough for my purposes.

If you are a little more nervous than me then there are plenty of web based security products that stop you getting to a web page without a username and password.

The likelihood is that you'll be using this on your company's LAN which is likely to be protected by a firewall so the risk is likely to be minimal

Shareware version limitations

1. Initial splash screen makes you wait 10 seconds
2. Will only upload five messages without being re-started
3. You have to type in details every time applications is started


Buying Mail View 

This version of Mail View is shareware, the deal is you can use it for 14 days to see if its useful and you like it.

If you want to continue using it after that time then send a cheque for 10 pounds sterling made payable to Paul Cherry to 39, Belvedere Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, England IP4 4AB. Remember to include your email address and I'll mail you a full copy. Come on 10 quid is nothing !


Bug fixes and New Versions 

If you find any problems or have any questions about this software then please mail me at Paul _Cherry@Hotmail.com - I'll do my best to get back to you as soon as possible.

If you buy the full version I'll mail you any bug fixes as and when appropriate. You never know I may send you a few of the enhancements I'm planning too !.


Comments / Questions

I'd be delighted to hear any comments or questions you may have. I promise to read them all, even if I can't reply, send any comments to : paul_cherry@hotmail.com

* All trademarks acknowledged
