What'sNew
What's new in version 2.0

If you have used previous versions of FlashMail, you will notice a few new features. There are many under-the-hood changes, also. A couple of additions you may notice:

QuickView

This lets you look read the text of a message without launching your email client. It also lets you reply, delete, block the sender, etc.

Three priority/alert levels

FlashMail now supports separate notifications for normal, high and low priority messages.

Blocked message response option

This allows you to specify how to deal with a blocked message. You can now leave it on the server. This gives you the ability to configure FlashMail to simply ignore certain messages.


Introduction
What is FlashMail

FlashMail is an email notification program. Simply, it checks the accounts for which it's configured and alerts you when it finds messages waiting. You can set it to notify you of new mail in a number of different ways, including: flashing the tray icon, playing a sound file, and showing the list of messages.

FlashMail can be configured to start up with Windows and run in the background, checking for new mail at whatever interval you like. It can initiate a connection to the internet to check for new mail, or wait for you to connect. We have tried to make it as configurable as possible without overloading it with unnecessary options. Flexibility and ease of use were the two major goals in this project.

An online help file is included with FlashMail, but if you need more assistance, please feel free to email support@november7.com Please include the version number and registered or unregistered version.

For registration information, please visit www.november7.com


Toolbar

The toolbar on the main window contains buttons for most of the common actions you'll want to perform. The buttons are:

Check Now

Tells FlashMail to check for new mail immediately regardless of the timer or configuration settings that would otherwise prevent checking.

Minimize

Tells FlashMail to minimize to the system tray and run in the background.

Note: The same thing can be accomplished by closing the window with the "X" button in the upper right corner.

Configure

Opens the main configuration window. Many of the more commonly used items are available from the config item on the main menu.

Cancel

This tells FlashMail to cancel whatever action it's currently performing. Some actions must be at least partially completed in order to cancel. In these cases, FlashMail will halt the process as soon as a suitable stopping point is reached.

QuickView

This opens the QuickView window allowing you to read the message without opening you email client. Please see the section on QuickView for more information.

Block Sender

This button opens the Block Sender dialog. The selected message's sender will already be entered for you. Please see the section on Blocked Senders for more information.

Delete Message

Removes the message from the server.

Note: there is no undelete feature on a Pop server. once it's gone, it's gone. If you aren't sure you want to get rid of it, delete it from you email client. Your client will have an undelete feature for messages in a local mailbox.

Launch Client

This launched the email client you have configured in the configuration window. If the "Default" option is selected, FlashMail will launch the client that is selected as the default on you system. This would be the client that gets launched when click on a "mailto:" link.

Website

Visit November7 on the web for registration or support information. Also to check for a newer version of FlashMail.

Help

Opens this help file.

Close

Close FlashMail.

Note: Closing the window itself does not close the program.


Message List

The message list is where FlashMail will display information about any new messages it finds on the server. The list was designed to be as informative as possible without being cluttered. Some message may not have all the information. In these cases, a blank space will be displayed.

The information the list contains includes the following:

From

This is the "From" line exactly as it appears in the message. There are actually two parts to this field: the text representation entered by the sender is in quotes, and the actual address of the sender is in angle brackets ( <> ).

Subject

This is the "Subject" line exactly as it appears in the message.

Size

This is the size (in bytes) as reported by the server. It will include any attachments, so it may be a bit misleading in some cases.

Priority

This is the message's priority level. This is set by the sender. There are three levels: High, Normal, and Low. (Actually, there are five levels. FlashMail groups them into the three main categories) If the message contains no specifier, it is presumed to be Normal priority.

Received

This is the date and time of the message as it appears in the message itself. It is not the time the message was received by FlashMail.

Account

This is the name of the account on which the message was found. This is reported because FlashMail can handle an unlimited number of accounts (actually, it's limited to about 2 billion) and you may have different accounts for different people. The name that you specify in the account set up is what will appear here.


Status Bar

The status bar on the main window is fairly simple. It only has three panels. These indicate the current status, the time mail was last checked, and the number of new messages.


c Account Name
Account Name

You can give the account any name you like. If you have several accounts, giving it a descriptive name will help to distinguish it from you other accounts.


c Server
Server

This is the address of the server where you mail is found. If you don't know this information, you ISP can provide you with it.


c Port
Port

This is the port your server uses for Pop communication. It is not common to find a server using a port other than 110, but it is possible. The "Use Default" button the right of this field will restore the default value of 110.


c UseDef
Use Default

This button restores the default value of 110 to the port selector to the left.


c Username
Username

This is the username for accessing your mailbox. It will generally be the part of your address that comes before the "@" symbol.


c Password
Password

This is the password used to access your mailbox. This is stored in an encrypted form so that prying eyes can't simply read it out of the registry.


c SenderName
Sender Name

This is the name to be added to the blocked senders list.


c Checking Enable
Checking Enable/Disable

This determines whether or not mail is automatically checked at the specified interval. If checking is disabled, you can still check for mail with the "Check now" button/menu item.


c Load On Startup
Load On Startup

If this option is checked, a shortcut is placed in the startup folder of the start menu. This makes Windows run FlashMail when it is started up. Unchecking this option automatically deletes the shortcut.


c StartVisible
Start Visible

This option causes FlashMail to start up with the message list shown. This can also be done with the "/visible" command line argument.


c Interval
Interval

This determines the time (in minutes) FlashMail will wait before checking for new mail each time. It can be any value between 1 and 999.


c PopTimeout
POP Timeout

This specifies the amount of time to wait for a response from the server. After the specified time expires, the connection is terminated and FlashMail continues with its normal operation.


c HotKeyEnabled
Hotkey Enabled

If this option is checked, the specified hotkey will be activated.


c Hotkey
Hotkey

This specifies the key FlashMail will use as a hotkey. It can be any key from F1 - F12.


c Modifier
Modifier

This is the key which will be used in conjunction with the hotkey. It can be Alt, Control, Shift or none.


c UseDefClient
Use Default Client

If this option is checked, the "Launch Client" button on the main window will launch the system's default email client.


c UseSpecClient
Use Specified Client

If this option is checked, the "Launch Client" button on the main window will launch the email client specified in the dropdown list below.


c Client
Email Client

This specifies the email client to be launched when the "Launch Client" button is pressed. If the "Use Default Client" option is selected, this will be ignored.


c LANConn
Always-on/LAN Connection

Chose this option if you have an always on connection. Connections of this type include cable modem, DSL/ADSL, LAN, Frame Relay, T1, etc.


c WaitConn
Wait For Connection

If this option is selected, FlashMail will not initiate an internet connection to check for mail. If there is no connection when it's time to check for mail, FlashMail will do nothing.


c InitConn
Initiate Connection

If this option is checked, FlashMail will connect to the internet using the service specified in the dropdown list.


c HangUp
Hang Up When Done

If this option is checked, FlashMail will terminate the connection when it's done checking for mail. This can only be done if FlashMail initiated the connection.


c HangUpWait
Hang Up Delay

If this option is checked, FlashMail will wait to hang up if messages are found. The delay is specified in the boxes below.


c ShowMsgList
Show Message List

If this option is checked, FlashMail will display the main window when a message of the appropriate priority (or higher) is found.


c FlashIcon
Flash Tray Icon

If this option is checked, FlashMail's system tray icon will flash when a new message of the appropriate priority (or higher) is found.


c LaunchClient
Launch Email Client

If this option is checked, FlashMail will launch the specified email client when a new message of the appropriate (or higher) priority is found.


c PlaySound
Play Sound

If this option is checked, FlashMail will play the specified sound file when a message of the appropriate level (or higher) is found.


c Soundfile
Sound File

This is where you specify the sound file to be played when a new message is found.


c BrowseButton
Browse Button

The button opens the dialog to browse for a sound file.


c AccList
Accounts List

This list shows all of the accounts FlashMail monitors. Unchecked accounts will not be checked. Accounts can be added, edited and deleted with the buttons to the right.


c NewAcc
New Account

The button opens the "Add Account" dialog to create a new account.


c EditAcc
Edit Account

This button opens the "Edit Account" dialog for changing or updating account information.


c DelAcc
Delete Account

This deletes the selected account from the account list. To temporarily suspend the account, simply uncheck it in the accounts list.


c BSList
Blocked Senders List

This list shows the names (or partial names) of the senders you have blocked messages from. FlashMail's action when it finds a blocked message is determined by the response box below.


c AddBS
Add Blocked Sender

This button opens the dialog to add a name to the blocked senders list.


c DelBS
Delete Blocked Sender

This button removes the selected name from the blocked senders list.


c BlankFrom
Block Blank "From"

If this option is checked, FlashMail will not allow message with a blank "From" line.


c BlankTo
Block Blank "To"

If this option is checked, FlashMail will not allow messages with a blank "To" line.


c BlankSubj
Block Blank Subject

If this option is checked, FlashMail will not allow messages with a blank "Subject" line.


c ZeroLength
Block Zero Length

If this option is checked, FlashMail will not allow messages that are 0 bytes in length.

Note:This is not common, but it can cause some email programs to crash.


c Response
Response Selector

The response indicated here tells FlashMail how to deal with disallowed message (either from a blocked sender or the other filters). If the delete option is selected, FlashMail will remove the message from the server completely. If the option to leave the message is selected, FlashMail will simply ignore the message.


Adding an Account

Of course, for FlashMail to work, you have to tell it where to look for mail and how to log in to the server. This is done on the Accounts page of the configuration window. If you click on the "New" button, the "Add Account" dialog will be displayed. Here, you simply fill in the information asked for and click OK. If you don't know any of the information, you can contact your ISP and they can provide it.

Don't worry about the "Port" option. In very rare cases, this may need to be changed. Usually, however, it can be left set to 110 (the standard port for the POP3 protocol).

When you're done and you click OK, the new account will be added to the account list and will be checked. The check means that it's active (it will be checked). You can disable an account without deleting it by unchecking it here.

Well, that's it. FlashMail should have all the information it needs to run. More detailed information is available in the "Configuration Window" section.


Initial Configuration

The first thing you'll need to do when you first run FlashMail is set a few of the configuration options. FlashMail will need to know, for example, what kind of connection you have. Of course, you'll also need to set up at least one account. This process is described in Adding an account.

Most of the critical items in FlashMail's configuration have default values so you really only need to set a few of them to get started. When you first start FlashMail, it starts up with the main window visible. Open the configuration window by clicking the "Config" button on the main window's toolbar. On the "General Options" page, you can uncheck the "Start Visible" option to make FlashMail start up in the background. You can also check the "Load on Startup" option to make FlashMail load when Windows starts up. There is nothing else on this page that must be set now.

Click on the Connection tab. On this page you need to specify whether or not you want FlashMail to dial a connection to check for new mail. If you have an always-on connection (LAN, cable modem, DSL/ADSL, etc.), check the "Always-on/LAN" option. Otherwise, if you check the wait option, FlashMail will wait until you establish a connection before checking for new mail. If the initiate option is checked, FlashMail will dial a connection to the internet to check for mail. It can disconnect when it's done if you like. It can also wait for awhile if new mail is found, giving you a chance to launch your client and retrieve the messages while the connection is still alive.

Now click on the "Notification" tab. Here you chose how you want FlashMail to let you know that you have a new message. The options available are described in the Notification section.

All you have to do now is add an account as described in the next section. Then you'll be ready to go.


General Options

On this page, you can set options pertaining to the general operation of FlashMail. These include:

Checking Enable/Disable

If "Enable" is checked, FlashMail will check at the specified interval or when the "Check Mail" button is clicked. If "Disable"  is checked, it will only check when the button is clicked.

Interval

This is how long (in minutes) FlashMail should wait to check mail.

POP Timeout

This is how long (in seconds) FlashMail should wait for a response from the server. 20-30 seconds is a normal setting for this.

Misc Options

If "Load on Startup" is checked, FlashMail will be loaded when Windows starts.

If "Start Visible" is checked, FlashMail will start with the message list displayed.

Hotkey

If "Hotkey Enabled" is checked, FlashMail will respond to the key combination set in the boxes below. The "Hotkey" box sets which of the F-keys will serve as the hotkey. The "Modifier" box set which (Alt, Control, or Shift), if any, key must be pressed in conjunction with the hotkey. Make sure that whatever you set these to, it doesn't conflict with another program (like a macro program) or one will not function.

Email Client

If "Use Default Client" is checked, FlashMail will launch whatever client is registered as the default. This is the one that opens when you click on a "mailto:" link. If "Use Specified Client" is checked, FlashMail will launch the program specified in the box below. The client selector box will show any program properly registered with Windows as an email client.


Connection

On this page, you can tell FlashMail about your internet connection and whether or not to initiate a connection. The options are as follows:

Always-on/LAN Connection

Select this option is you have any kind of persistent connection. These include: ADSL/DSL, cable modem, and LAN. Basically, if you don't have to dial a connection, select this.

Wait for internet connection

Select this option if you have a dial-up connection and you want FlashMail to wait until you (or another program) initiates an internet connection. If this is selected, FlashMail will check for an active connection at the interval specified for checking mail and do nothing if it doesn't find one.

Initiate connection

Select this option if you want FlashMail to dial a connection for you when it's time to check for new mail. For this option to work, you must select a service to use in the box to the right.

Note: This option will NOT work with most of the free internet services. If you have on of these, select the wait option.

Hang up when done

If this option is selected, FlashMail will hang up the connection when it's done checking for mail. It can only hang up a connection it dialed. An existing connection will not be terminated.

Wait to hang up

If this option is checked, FlashMail will wait to hang up is new messages are found on the server for the amount of time specified below. If, during this time, you launch your client, use QuickView, or click Cancel, FlashMail will not hang up. This is to allow you to retrieve your mail without reconnecting.


Notification

On this page you can specify how you'd like to be notified when a new message is found. There are three levels of notification: normal, high, and low. Any message that does not specify a priority, which is most of them, will be considered normal. When new mail is received, you will be notified using the highest priority notification that does not exceed that of the message. For example, if you get a normal message, the normal notification will be used. If you have no notification set up for normal, but you do for low, then the low priority notification will be used.

The different notification types available are:

Show Message List

If this option is checked, FlashMail will display the main window when a new message is found.

Flash Tray Icon

If this option is checked, FlashMail will flash a red background on the system tray icon when a new message is found.

Launch Email Client

If this option is checked, FlashMail will launch you specified email client when a new message if found. If no client is specified, FlashMail will do nothing.

Play Sound

If this option is checked, FlashMail will play the sound file specified to the right. If no sound file is specified, FlashMail will do nothing.


Accounts

On the accounts page, you will find the account list which shows all of the accounts FlashMail has been set up to check. If an account has a check mark next to it's name in the list, that means that it is active and will be checked at the specified interval or when you click the Check Now button.

To add an account, click on the "New" button to the right. This will open the Add Account dialog.

To edit an existing account, highlight the account's name in the list and click the "Edit" button to the right. This will open the Edit Account dialog.

To delete an account, highlight the account's name in the list and click the "Delete" button to the right.


Message Filters

This page is where you can tell FlashMail which messages you don't want to be notified about or don't want at all. You can use the filters here to block harassing messages or to avoid being notified about routine messages.

On the left side of the window, you'll find the blocked senders list. If a string appearing on this list also appears in the "From" line of any message, that message will be blocked. For example, if you have "xyz.com" (without the quotes) in the list, any message from someone at xyz.com will be blocked. If you have "jsmith@xyz.com" a message from "jsmith@xyz.com" or "ajsmith@xyz.com" or "jjsmith@xyz.com" will be blocked. Be careful of unintentionally blocking someone because you were too general. Be as specific as possible.

On the right of the window, there are the criteria filters. They are as follows:

Block messages with...

Blank "From" Line

If this is checked, any message with a blank or missing "From" line will be blocked. Often, spammers will send their messages anonymously so you can't put them on a blocked senders list.

Blank "To" Line

If this is checked, any message with a blank or missing "To" line will be blocked. This is another indication that a message is spam. NOTE: this does not refer to the address the message was sent to, but the "friendly" line in the message headers.

Blank "Subject" Line

If this is checked, any message with a blank or missing "Subject" line will be blocked. This is yet another indication that a message is spam.

Zero Length

If this is checked, any message that appears on the server but has nothing in the file will be blocked. Some email clients have a problem with these messages. They are rare, but could be a problem in some cases.

Response

Also on this side is the response selection. You can choose how to handle blocked messages. They can be deleted from the server, or left there for your email client to handle.

Note: Messages deleted from the server are gone for good. There is no undelete feature on a mail server.


Add Account Window
Add Account Dialog

This is the window you will use to enter the information for your email account. FlashMail will need the following information to operate:

Account Name

This is whatever you want to call this account. It can be anything meaningful to you.

Server

This is the internet address of the server where your mailbox is. If you don't know this, it can probably be found in your email client's configuration. You can also contact your ISP and they can provide you with the information.

Port

This is the port the server is using for POP3. This rarely need to be anything other than 110, but it's there just in case.

Username

This is the name the account is under. This is usually the part of your address before the @.

Password

This is the password needed to access the account. Don't worry, it's encrypted before it's saved, so no one can just read it out of the registry.


Edit Account Window
Edit Account Dialog

This is the window you use to edit an existing account. It has the same information as the Add Account dialog, but the window opens with the information already in the boxes. The information here is as follows:

Account Name

This is whatever you want to call this account. It can be anything meaningful to you.

Server

This is the internet address of the server where your mailbox is. If you don't know this, it can probably be found in your email client's configuration. You can also contact your ISP and they can provide you with the information.

Port

This is the port the server is using for POP3. This rarely need to be anything other than 110, but it's there just in case.

Username

This is the name the account is under. This is usually the part of your address before the @.

Password

This is the password needed to access the account. Don't worry, it's encrypted before it's saved, so no one can just read it out of the registry.


QuickView

When you click on the QuickView button on the main window, FlashMail downloads the message from the server and displays it in this window.

The layout of the window is fairly standard. It has a toolbar at the top, some information about the message below that, followed by the message text.

The toolbar has the following buttons:

Reply

This button lets you send a message to the sender of the message you're currently viewing. It uses your default email client.

Delete

This removes the message from the server. NOTE: There is no undelete feature on a POP3 server. Once you delete a message, it's gone for good.

Block Sender

This opens the Block Sender dialog with the sender of the message you're currently viewing already entered.

Launch Client

This launches the specified email client.

Help

This opens this helps file.

Close

This closes the QuickView window.