Synopsis:
E-mail at Princeton: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Solution:

1. How can I tell if I use IMAP or Exchange e-mail?
2. What e-mail clients can I use with my Exchange e-mail account?
3. What e-mail clients can I use with my IMAP e-mail account?
4. What are the settings for my e-mail application?
5. How should I read my e-mail while traveling or away from my office computer?
6. How do I set a vacation message? Forward my mail? Check my e-mail quota?
   

How can I tell if I use IMAP or Exchange e-mail?
If you are uncertain what type of e-mail account you have, contact the OIT Help Desk (8-HELP). All students have IMAP e-mail.

What are the settings for my e-mail application?
For instructions on configuring recommended e-mail applications, see E-Mail: Configuration settings for Princeton recommended e-mail applications.

How should I read my e-mail while traveling or away from my office computer?
For information about using WebMail to access your e-mail while on the road, see Solution 4454. WebMail can be accessed at: www.princeton.edu/webmail or click on the WebMail link at the top right corner of the Princeton home page.

How do I set a vacation message? Forward my mail? Check my e-mail quota?

• For IMAP e-mail account management, see:
  How to set passwords, update contact information, forward e-mail, check quotas and manage your IMAP e-mail.
• For Exchange e-mail account management, see:
  How to set passwords, forward mail, update contact information, check quotas and manage your Exchange e-mail.

What e-mail clients can I use with my IMAP e-mail account?
IMAP WebMail
WebMail is an e-mail reader which allows you to access your Princton e-mail via the web. No software is necessary to use WebMail other than a web browser like Internet Explorer (Internet Explorer 6 SP2 or above is recommended). WebMail allows you to send and receive your Princeton e-mail from anywhere in the world. It was implemented for Princeton users to facilitate e-mail use while traveling. To access IMAP WebMail, go to: www.princeton.edu/webmail

Thunderbird/SeaMonkey
Thunderbird is the default e-mail application in the OIT computing clusters, as well as the SCI (Student Computer Initiative) computers. Instructions for installing and configuring Thunderbird can be found in: Thunderbird/SeaMonkey: Installation and configuration instructions.

Microsoft Outlook for IMAP E-mail
Outlook is part of the MS Office Suite and can be purchased as part of that package. It should not be confused with Outlook Express. Outlook is a robust program that handles e-mail as well as calendar scheduling and contacts. Outlook Express is free software with a limited capacity for sending and receiving e-mail.

• IMAP E-mail: Settings for Microsoft Outlook 2007
• IMAP E-mail: Settings for Microsoft Outlook 2003 / (2002)XP
• IMAP E-mail: Settings for Microsoft Outlook 2000

Outlook Express
OIT has found that Outlook Express is unreliable when used to check IMAP e-mail. Outlook Express for the Macintosh is not compatible with Authenticated SMTP. On the PC, it is able to authenticate, but has known shortcomings when dealing with the IMAP server. OIT does not recommend Outlook Express for use at Princeton. For complete documentation on using Outlook Express (as well as a description of its shortcomings), see: Configuration settings for Outlook Express and known bugs.

Mac OS X Mail
Macintosh's OS X operating system comes with a built-in mail program that can access your Princeton University e-mail account, and is the recommended application for Macintosh users. For configuration instructions, see: Mac OS X: Configuration settings for the Mac OS X Mail program.

Pine
Unix Pine is a very powerful e-mail client for the experienced Unix user. However, it is often daunting at first glance as there is no graphical interface and all inputs must be keyed in. Don't be afraid to experiment with Pine. Most of the basic e-mail checking and sending functions are easy to learn, and the more advanced features can be picked up over time. Instructions for configuring Pine are available at: Configuration settings for Unix Pine

Note: Thunderbird, SeaMonkey, and Outlook can be configured to search the Princeton LDAP directory to auto-complete e-mail addresses. Instructions on adding LDAP directory service to these clients are available at: E-mail: How to configure LDAP settings to search Princeton directory

What e-mail clients can I use with my Exchange e-mail account?
Exchange WebMail (OWA)
Exchange WebMail, also called Outlook Web Access, is an e-mail reader which allows you to access your Princeton e-mail via the web. No software is necessary to use WebMail other than a web browser like Internet Explorer (version 6 SP2 or higher is recommended). WebMail allows you to send and receive your Princeton e-mail from anywhere in the world. It was implemented for Princeton users to facilitate e-mail use while traveling. To access Exchange WebMail, go to https://owa.princeton.edu/exchange.

Microsoft Outlook for Exchange E-Mail
Outlook is part of the Microsoft Office Suite and can be purchased as part of that package.Outlook is the default e-mail application on DeSC and FCP computers. It should not be confused with Outlook Express. Outlook is a robust program that handles e-mail as well as calendar scheduling and contacts. Outlook Express does not support Exchange e-mail.

• Exchange E-mail: Settings for Microsoft Outlook 2007
• Exchange E-mail: Settings for Microsoft Outlook 2003 / (2002)XP
• Exchange E-mail: Settings for Microsoft Outlook 2000