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IMAP Configuration
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What is IMAP?
IMAP stands for Internet Message Access Protocol. It is a method of accessing electronic mail kept on a (possibly shared) mail server. In other words, it permits your email program to access remote message stores without downloading them to your local computer's hard drive. This means you can access the same mail from multiple computers -- your office computer on campus, your personal computer at home, a laptop while travelling, or pretty much any computer connected to the Internet.
What email client should I use?
Currently, we recommend Thunderbird, Mozilla, or PC-Pine. Thunderbird is the newest, friendliest, and seems quite usable and reliable for the majority of our users. People used to the Unix command-line should use PC-Pine.

We do not support Eudora as an IMAP client. The IMAP functionality doesn't seem very robust in our environment. However, a number of people prefer it for home use, since we supported Eudora as a POP client for a number of years.

We do not support, nor recommend, Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express. Both of these email clients have a number of problems with non-Microsoft mail servers, which may cause you to lose your email. In addition, most versions of both programs have a number of security problems which can allow viruses into your computer.

How do I configure Thunderbird for IMAP?
If you've never run the account wizard before, it will pop up & guide you though adding an email account.
  1. Select Email account.
  2. Enter your name and CLASnet email address.
  3. Select IMAP and enter the IMAP and SMTP server names (see below).
  4. Enter your CLASnet username.
  5. Enter a descriptive name for this profile.

If the wizard doesn't appear, then you already have an account configured, and you'll need to modify your setup. Either way, take a look at these snapshots:

  1. Under the Tools menu, select Account Settings.
  2. Un-check the Compose messages in HTML format.
    It doubles the size of your messages and makes it difficult for people using text-only mail clients.
  3. Select Server Settings within your account settings.
    Ensure you configure the following options:
    Server Name imap.clas.ufl.edu
    User Name Your CLASnet username
    Use secure connection (SSL) Yes
    Check for new messages 0 minutes
    Empty Trash on Exit Yes
  4. Select the Advanced button.
    IMAP server directory Mail/
    Show only subscribed folders Yes
    Server supports folders that contain sub-folders and messages No
    Max number of server connections 2
  5. Close the Advanced screen, then select the Outgoing Server (SMTP) option.
    Under Server Name, you'll need to put the correct mail server for your ISP. Note that you can't just choose one at random -- to prevent SPAM, each ISP restricts SMTP connections, so only their own users can access the server.
    Gatorlink smtp.ufl.edu
    BellSouth mail.bellsouth.net
    Cox smtp.east.cox.net

    GatorLink has detailed instructions for configuring authenticated SMTP for users off campus.

Where can I get Thunderbird?
We currently recommend Thunderbird 2.0 or later. You can download other versions of Thunderbird from their home page.


How do I configure Mozilla for IMAP?
Under the Window menu, choose the Mail & Newsgroups option. If you've never run the account wizard before, it will pop up & guide you though adding an email account. These snapshots should help you out:
  1. Select Email account.
  2. Enter your name and CLASnet email address.
  3. Select IMAP and enter the IMAP and SMTP server names (see below).
  4. Enter your CLASnet username.
  5. Enter a descriptive name for this profile.

If the wizard doesn't appear, then you already have an account configured, and you'll need to modify your setup. Either way, take a look at these snapshots:

  1. Under the Edit menu, select Account Settings.
  2. Un-check the Compose messages in HTML format.
    It doubles the size of your messages and makes it difficult for people using text-only mail clients.
  3. Select Server Settings within your account settings.
    Ensure you configure the following options:
    Server Name imap.clas.ufl.edu
    User Name Your CLASnet username
    Use secure connection (SSL) Yes
    Check for new messages 0 minutes
    Empty Trash on Exit Yes
  4. Select the Advanced button.
    IMAP server directory Mail/
    Show only subscribed folders Yes
    Server supports folders that contain sub-folders and messages No
    Max number of server connections 2
  5. Close the Advanced screen, then select the Outgoing Server (SMTP) option.
    Under Server Name, you'll need to put the correct mail server for your ISP. Note that you can't just choose one at random -- to prevent SPAM, each ISP restricts SMTP connections, so only their own users can access the server.
    Gatorlink smtp.ufl.edu
    BellSouth mail.bellsouth.net
    Cox smtp.east.cox.net

    GatorLink has detailed instructions for configuring authenticated SMTP for users off campus.

How do I use an email client other than Thunderbird or Mozilla?
Each email client is slightly different, so we cannot provide step-by-step instructions for every possible client. However, you should be able to translate these basics into most any email client. If you continue to have problems, you may wish to contact either your departmental computer contact or the software vendor.
SMTP Server smtp.YOURISP.com
IMAP Server imap.clas.ufl.edu
User Name Your CLASnet username
IMAP Server Directory Mail/
Use SSL Yes
Empty trash on exit Yes
Where can I get Mozilla?
We currently recommend Mozilla 1.6 or later. You can download other versions of Mozilla from their home page.

For Classic MacOS (9 and earlier) you will need to download Mozilla 1.2.1 or you can try the "unofficial" Classic MacOS version of Mozilla 1.3.1 maintained by Wamcom.org.

Be aware that most versions are about 10-15 megabytes in size, which could take some time over a dialup connection. You can also get the latest releases on the UF Softare CD, available for $2.50 at the UF Bookstore adjacent to the Reitz Union.


[CLASnet main page] Last updated: Nov 06, 2007 (10:12:24 PM EST)
URL: http://www.clasnet.ufl.edu/howto/imap/

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
CLASnet

100 Rolfs Hall
PO Box 117300
Gainesville FL 32611
 
Contact: CLASnet
Phone: (352) 846.1990
FAX: (352) 846.1995

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