Copyright: Copyright (c) 1997 Revnet Systems, Inc.


welcome
Welcome To MailKing

Welcome to MailKing!  MailKing is a powerful tool for sending personalized email to select groups of people.

MailKing rids your message of the “form letter” appearance by incorporating personal details about the recipient (such as name) in the message.  In addition, MailKing delivers your email message to the precise people you want to reach.  Even if you start with an enormous database of people, you can narrow down the list of recipients by filtering your database.  (Filters, as you will see, are a means of choosing people from a database according to their individual attributes.)

In summary, the three main benefits of using MailKing are:

•	Your messages are tailored to the individual (containing specific details relating to that person).

•	Your messages are sent to exactly the group of people you are targeting.

•	MailKing is easy to use!


Design Philosophy

MailKing is a powerful tool designed to be easy to use.  With MailKing, you don't have to navigate through a complex series of menus and forms.  Instead you use a simple Explorer interface, similar to that in Windows95.

Explorer Basics

The interface is divided into two panes.  The left pane contains a hierarchy of folders that organizes your databases, database tables, mail lists, and messages.  Clicking on any level in the left pane of the Explorer updates the right pane of the interface.  (For example, if you click on a Message in the left pane, the right pane shows you the contents of the message.)

Smart Menus And More

•	MailKing displays different menus and toolbars depending on your location in the Explorer.

•	You can copy databases, tables, mail lists, and messages by simply dragging and dropping them in the Explorer.

•	Right -clicking on any level in the Explorer activates pop-up menus, for quick access to relevant commands.

MailKing is easy to operate because you see only the choices you need at the time.  MailKing gives you the features you want and an interface that doesn’t get in your way.


Purchase And Registering MailKing
Purchasing And Registering MailKing

There are two versions of MailKing:  the evaluation version and the registered version.  The evaluation version is valid for 30 days, during which time each message will be accompanied by the following banner:

-----------------------------------------------------------

This personalized message sent by MailKing

Download yours at http://www.mailking.com

“Email Special Delivery”

-----------------------------------------------------------

Purchasing and registering MailKing removes the 30 day time limit and the banner text from your messages.  To purchase and register MailKing:

1.	Go to http://www.mailking.com/html/buy_it.html.

2.	Complete and submit the online purchase form, including credit card and email information.

3.	A Serial Number and Registration Key will be emailed to the address you provide in the online form.

4.	Enter the Serial Number and Registration Key the next time you start MailKing.

That is all you have to do to get a fully licensed copy of MailKing.

If you are using an evaluation version, each time you start up MailKing you will have the opportunity to Evaluate, Purchase, or Register the software:

Evaluate lets you continue using the evaluation version.

Purchase gives you instructions for purchasing a registered copy of MailKing.

Register allows you to key in the serial number and registration key you receive when you purchase the software.

Registering MailKing is very simple – just key in the serial number and registration key (obtained when you purchase) and click OK.

If you have already received your serial number and registration key and you are currently running an evaluation version, you can register by clicking Help > Register MailKing.  Then, key in the serial number and registration key.


Minimum Requirements

The minimum requirements for running MailKing are:

•	486 processor

•	Windows95 or Windows NT Workstation

•	16MB RAM

•	Email account with an Internet Service Provider (ISP)

•	Access to your email account via a 14.4 kbs modem


Internet Settings

For MailKing to be able to send mail, you need to specify your name, email address, and internet mail server.  MailKing attempts to automatically determine this information from your machine.  However, if it cannot find the information, MailKing will ask you for it when you start up the product, in the form of the Internet Settings dialog box.

When you see this dialog box, key in the information and click OK.  If you need to modify these settings later, you can do so by clicking View > Options and keying in the information on the Internet Mail tab.


Quick Start

This process of using MailKing is divided into four main tasks:

1.	Open a database

2.	Build a mail list

3.	Compose a message

4.	Send email

Click the Steps button to see numbered instructions.  Once you complete a set of steps, click the What Next? button (at the end of the steps) to guide you through the remainder of your workflow.

See Also:

Database Overview

Mail List Overview

Message Overview

Sending Overview


Using The Default Database

These steps explain how to create a new Microsoft Access database.  This database comes with several default fields, but is empty, ready for you to add records.

1.	Click File > New Database.

2.	On the New Database dialog box, specify the file name and location for the database.

3.	Click Save.

For information about the default database that MailKing creates, see The Default Database.


Opening An Existing Database

Here are the steps for opening an existing database.  MailKing can read a variety of types of databases (see Compatible Databases).  If you do not already have a database, you can use the default database.

1.	Click File > Open Database.

2.	On the Open Database dialog box, set the Files of type parameter to match the kind of database you are opening.

3.	Specify the file name and location of the database.

4.	Click Open.


Importing Text Into A Database

You can load information from a text file into an empty database or into a database that already contains records.  When you import, you will not lose the information that was already in your database – the new information is added to what you previously had.  (See Preparing a Text File For Import.)

Before you use this command, you need to open a database or use the default database.

1.	In the Explorer, click on the database table ( [image]) to which you want to add records.  If you are using the default database, the table will be called Members.

2.	On the menu, click Table > Import Text File (or right-click on the table to use the popup menu).

3.	On the Import Text File dialog box, specify the name and location of the text file.

4.	Click Open.

5.	On the Text Import Wizard - Step 1 of 3 dialog box, set Start import at row to the number of the line on which your data starts.  (For example, if you have 3 rows of introductory information in your file before the data starts, you need to set this value to 4.)  Also, use the Filter to selectively import rows of data from your text file.  The Filter  accepts wildcard key-ins.

6.	Click Next.

7.	On the Text Import Wizard - Step 2 of 3 dialog box, define the delimiter (the field separator) for the text file, following the on-screen prompts.

8.  Click Next.

9.	On the Text Import Wizard - Step 3 of 3 dialog box, assign each column to the corresponding database field, following the on-screen prompts.

10.	Click Finish.


Importing An Act! Database

When you import an Act! database, MailKing creates a new Access database and saves it the same directory as the original Act! database, using the same name but saving the file with a different extension, MDB.  If this file already exists, the contents are replaced.  (See Act! Database.)

1.	On the menu, click File > Import > Act! Database.

2.	On the Import Act! Database dialog box, specify the file you want to open.

3.	Click Open.


Importing A Eudora Address Book

When you import a Eudora address book, MailKing creates a new Access database.  (See Eudora Address Book.)

1.	On the menu, click File > Import > Eudora Address Book.

2.	On the Import Eudora Address Book dialog box, specify a file name for the new Access database.

3.	Click Save.

MailKing quickly stores the names and addresses in an Access database.  All the names are imported into a single database table, and separate mail lists are automatically generated for each group (if any are present) in the Eudora address book.


Viewing A Single Database Record

1.	In the Explorer, click on the database table ( [image]) that contains the record you are interested in.  If you are using the default database, the table will be called Members.

2.	On the right side of the interface, choose View Single.  This causes MailKing to show you one record at a time.

3.	Use the arrows to move through the database and view different records.


Viewing All Database Records

1.	In the Explorer, click on the database table ( [image]) that contains the records you are interested in.  If you are using the default database, the table will be called Members.

2.	On the right side of the interface, choose View All.  This causes MailKing to show you a list of all records.

3.	Use the mouse or the arrow keys on the keyboard to focus on individual records.


Adding Records To A Database

The section explains how to add records (people) to a database (after you have already opened or created one).

1.	In the Explorer, click on the database table ( [image]) to which you want to add records.  If you are using the default database, the table will be called Members.

You have the choice of adding records in View Single mode or in View All mode.  In the former case, you are adding records while viewing one record at a time; in the latter, you are adding records while viewing all records in the database table.  Either way, you will achieve the same result – a person will be added to the database.

Adding In View Single Mode

2.	Click the New Record button – this makes a new, empty record.

3.	Key in the information for each applicable field (Email, First Name, etc).  The Email field is the only required field.

4.	Click the Save Record button – this saves the new record to the database.

Adding In View All Mode

2.	Select the table row that is marked with the asterisk (*).

3.	Key in the information for each applicable field (Email, First Name, etc).  The Email field is the only required field.


Deleting Records From A Database

1.	In the Explorer, click on the database table ( [image]) from which you want to delete records.  If you are using the default database, the table will be called Members.

You have the choice of adding records in View Single mode or in View All mode (as indicated on the right side of the interface).  In the former case, you are adding records while viewing one record at a time; in the latter, you are adding records while viewing all records in the database.  Either way, you will achieve the same result – a person will be deleted from the database.

Deleting In View Single Mode

2.	Select the record you want to delete, using the arrows to move through the database and view different records.

3.	Click the Delete Record button.

4.	When MailKing confirms the delete, click Yes to delete the record (or click No to cancel).

You are done – the record is deleted.

Deleting In View All Mode

2.	Select the record (a row in the table) that you want to delete, using the mouse or the arrow keys on the keyboard to focus on individual records.

3.	Press the Delete key on your keyboard.

4.	When MailKing confirms the delete, click Yes to delete the record (or click No to cancel).


Editing Records In a Database

1.	In the Explorer, click on the database table ( [image]) in which you would like to edit a record.  If you are using the default database, the table will be called Members.

You have the choice of editing records in View Single mode or in View All mode (as indicated on the right side of the interface).  In the former case, you are editing records while viewing one record at a time; in the latter, you are editing records while viewing all records in the database table.  Either way, you will achieve the same result – a record  will be edited in the database.

Editing In View Single Mode

2.	Select the record you want to edit, using the arrows to move through the database and view different records.

3.	Place the cursor in the field you want to change, using the mouse or the tab key.

4.	Key in the information you want.

5.	Click the Update Record button – this updates the current record in the database.

You are done – the record is edited.

Editing In View All Mode

2.	Select the record (a row in the table) that you want to edit, using the mouse or the arrow keys on the keyboard to focus on individual records.

3.	Place the cursor in the field you want to change, using the mouse or the tab key.

4.	Key in the information you want.


Searching For Records In A Database

Here is how to search for a database record based on the value of a field.

1.	In the Explorer, click on the database table ( [image]) in which you would like to find a particular record.  If you are using the default database, the table will be called Members.

2.	If you are in View Single mode, select the the field that you want to search on (for example, Last Name).

If you are in View All mode, select the heading of the field that you want to search on (for example, Last Name).

3.	On the menu, click Field > Find (or right-click on the heading of the field to use the popup menu.)

4.	On the Find Field dialog box, key in the value of the field that you want to find.  This command accepts wildcard key-ins.

5.	Click OK.


Sorting Records In A Database

Here is how to sort the records in a database based on one of the fields.

1.	In the Explorer, click on the database table ( [image]) that you would like to sort.  If you are using the default database, the table will be called Members.

2.	If you are in View Single mode, select the the field that you want to sort on (for example, Last Name).

If you are in View All mode, select the heading of the field that you want to sort on (for example, Last Name).

3.	On the menu, click Field > Sort Ascending or Sort Descending, whichever you want (or right-click on the heading of the field to use the popup menu.)


Adding Fields To A Database

1.	In the Explorer, click on the database table ( [image]) to which you would like to add a field.  If you are using the default database, the table will be called Members.

2.	On the menu, click Table > New Field (or right-click on the table to use the popup menu).

3.	On the New Field dialog box, select the type of field to add (Text, Numeric, Flag, or Date).

4.	Key in a name for the field.

5.	Click OK.


Deleting Fields From A Database

1.	In the Explorer, click on the database table ( [image]) from which you would like to delete a field.  If you are using the default database, the table will be called Members.

2.	If you are in View Single mode, select the field that you want to delete.

If you are in View All mode, select the heading of the field that you want to delete.

3.	On the menu, click Field > Delete (or right-click on the heading of the field to use the popup menu).

4.	When MailKing confirms the delete, click Yes to delete the field (or click No to cancel).


Renaming Fields In A Database

1.	In the Explorer, click on the database table ( [image]) in which you would like to rename a field.  If you are using the default database, the table will be called Members.

2.	If you are in View Single mode, select the field that you want to rename.

If you are in View All mode, select the heading of the field that you want to rename.

3.	On the menu, click Field > Rename (or right-click on the heading of the field to use the popup menu)..  This activates the Rename Field dialog box.

4.	On the Rename Field dialog box, key in the new name for the field.

5.	Click OK to rename the field (or click Cancel).


Checking Email Addresses

1.	In the Explorer, click on the database table ( [image]) in which you would like to check email addresses.  If you are using the default database, the table will be called Members.

2.	If any of the addresses do not conform to proper syntax, MailKing will report the records that contain the invalid addresses.


Creating A Mail List
Creating A Mail List ( [image])

Before you can build a mail list, you must already have a database open.  (See Opening An Existing Database.)

1.	In the Explorer, click on the database table ( [image]) for which you want to create a mail list.  If you are using the default database, the table will be called Members.

2.	On the menu, click Table > New Mail List (or right-click on the table to use the popup menu).

The mail list is created with a default name.  (See Renaming A Mail List.)  Note that by default mail lists are created with a filter that includes everyone with an email address, based on the email field in your database.  (See Filter Overview and Using Filters.)


Using Filters To Build A Mail List

Before you can use a filter, you need to create a mail list.

1.	In the Explorer, click on the mail list ( [image]) to which you want to apply a filter.  If you are using the default database, the table will be called Members.

2.	On the far right side of the interface, click the Filter button.  This activates the Filters dialog box.

3.	On the Filters dialog box, add, edit, or delete filters according to the following instructions.

Adding A Filter

1.	Complete the row across the top of the dialog box, filling in four pieces of information:

And/Or – for any two conditions, tells MailKing whether to look for records that satisfy both of the conditions (And), or for records that satisfy either of the conditions (Or).  Note:  This item applies only when your filter has at least two condition.  You won’t have access to it until after you have added the first condition.

Field – defines which Field the filter is based on.

Operation – defines the relationship that must exist between the Field and the Value for a record to meet the condition.

Value – defines a value to compare against the value in the specified Field.

2.	Click Add.

Editing A Filter

1.	Select the row  that you want to edit.  The information from that row is copied into the row across the top of the dialog box.

2.	Modify the row across the top of the dialog box.

3.	Click Edit.

Deleting A Filter

1.	Select the row that you want to delete.

2.	Click Delete.

See Also

Filter Overview

Overriding Filters


Including Someone In A Mail List

You have the choice of including a person in a mail list by working at the table level in the Explorer or by working at the mail list level.  Either way, you will achieve the same result – a person will be included in a mail list, overriding any filter.  Follow either of the following sets of instructions.

Working At The Table Level

1.	In the Explorer, click on the database table ( [image]) that contains the person you want to include in a mail list.  If you are using the default database, the table will be called Members.

2.	Make sure that View Single mode is selected (on the right side of the interface).

3.	Select the record of the person you want to include, using the arrows to move through the database and view different records.

4.	In the list at the far right of the interface, click on the name of the mail list until the Status is set to Include.

You are done – the person is included in the mail list.

Working At The Mail List Level

1.	In the Explorer, click on the mail list ( [image]) to which you want to add a person.  If you are using the default database, the table will be called Members.

2.	In the table, select the row that represents the person you want to include in the mail list.

3.	Click the Include button.


Excluding Someone From A Mail List

You have the choice of excluding a person in a mail list by working at the table level in the Explorer or by working at the mail list level.  Either way, you will achieve the same result – a person will be excluded from a mail list, overriding any filter.  Follow either of the following sets of instructions.

Working At The Table Level

1.	In the Explorer, click on the database table ( [image]) that contains the person you want to exclude from a mail list.  If you are using the default database, the table will be called Members.

2.	Make sure that View Single mode is selected (on the right side of the interface).

3.	Select the record of the person you want to exclude, using the arrows to move through the database and view different records.

4.	In the list at the far right of the interface, click on the name of the mail list until the Status is set to Exclude.

You are done – the person is excluded from the mail list.

Working At The Mail List Level

1.	In the Explorer, click on the mail list ( [image]) to which you want to add a person.  If you are using the default database, the table will be called Members.

2.	In the table, select the row that represents the person you want to include in the mail list.

3.	Click the Exclude button.


Including Someone In All Mail Lists

Follow these steps to explicitly include someone in every mail list for a given database, overriding any filter.

1.	In the Explorer, click on the database table ( [image]) that contains the person you want to include in all mail lists.  If you are using the default database, the table will be called Members.

2.	Make sure that View Single mode is selected (on the right side of the interface).

3.	Select the record of the person you want to include, using the arrows to move through the database and view different records.

4.	Click the Include In All Mail Lists button.


Excluding Someone From All Mail Lists

Follow these steps to explicitly exclude someone from every mail list for a given database, overriding any filter.

1.	In the Explorer, click on the database table ( [image]) that contains the person you want to exclude from all mail lists.  If you are using the default database, the table will be called Members.

2.	Make sure that View Single mode is selected (on the right side of the interface).

3.	Select the record of the person you want to exclude, using the arrows to move through the database and view different records.

4.	Click the Exclude From All Mail Lists button.


Renaming A Mail List

1.	In the Explorer, click on the mail list ( [image]) that you want to rename.

2.	On the menu, click Mail List > Rename (or right-click on the mail list to use the popup menu).

3.	Key in the new name for the mail list.

4.	Press the Enter key.


Deleting A Mail List

1.	In the Explorer, click on the mail list ( [image]) that you want to delete.

2.	On the menu, click Mail List > Delete (or right-click on the mail list to use the popup menu).

3.	When MailKing confirms the delete, click Yes to delete the mail list (or click No to cancel).

4.	Press the Enter key.


Copying A Mail List

In the Explorer, drag and drop the mail list that you want to copy from its original location to any table.  This creates a new copy of the mail list.  You might want to rename the new mail list to avoid confusion.  (See Renaming A Mail List.)

Note:  Copying a mail list does not simply copy the list of people in the mail list.  Rather, it copies the set of filters and explicit inclusions and exclusions defined in the mail list, as well as the messages for that mail list.


Creating A Message
Creating A Message ( [image])

1.	In the Explorer, click on the mail list ( [image]) for which you want to create a message.

2.	On the menu, click Mail List > New Message (or right-click on the mail list to use the popup menu).  This causes a new, empty message to appear in the Explorer.

After creating a new message, you might want to rename it.  (See Renaming A Message).


Composing A Message
Composing A Personalized Message

1.	In the Explorer, click on the message ( [image]) that you want to compose.

2.	Key in some text for the From field, indicating the sender of the email.  This field is literal text – you cannot substitute personalized information from the database in this field.

3.	Key in some text for the To field, indicating the recipient of the email.  You can personalize this field, substituting database fields in the same way as in the Message (click on the field name in the Field list).  You do not need to specify the email address in this field because each person in the mail list will receive the message anyway.  (For example, you could use [First Name] [Last Name].)

Note:  You can send a blind carbon copy (Bcc) to someone.  The Bcc person will receive a copy of each mail message, but the regular recipients in the mail list will not be made aware of this.  To send a Bcc, click View > Options and look on the Internet Settings tab for the Bcc field.

4.	Give your message a subject heading in the Subject field.  This field can be personalized just like the To field (click on the field name in the Field list).

5.	Key in the body of your message in the Message area.

6.	Each time that you want to incorporate a field from the database (for example, Last Name), simply click on the field name in the Field list.  The actual data from the database will be substituted when you send email – each person will see his or her own last name, in this example.

7.	If you want to insert a standard signature (defined on the Signature tab under View > Options), click Message > Insert Signature.  The signature text is inserted into the message.


Editing Or Viewing A Message

To edit or view a message, just click (in the Explorer) on the message ( [image]) that you want to see.  Your message appears on the right side of the interface – you can modify it or just review it.


Previewing A Message

1.	In the Explorer, click on the message ( [image]) that you want to preview.

2.	On the menu, click Message > Preview (or right-click on the message to use the popup menu) activating the Preview dialog box.

3.	On the Preview dialog box, use the arrows to preview the message as it appears for each recipient in the mail list.


Renaming A Message

1.	In the Explorer, click on the message ( [image]) that you want to rename.

2.	On the menu, click Message > Rename (or right-click on the mail list to use the popup menu).

3.	Key in the new name for the message.

4.	Press the Enter key.


Deleting A Message

1.	In the Explorer, click on the message ( [image]) that you want to delete.

2.	On the menu, click Message > Delete (or right-click on the mail list to use the popup menu).

3.	When MailKing confirms the delete, click Yes to delete the message (or click No to cancel).

4.	Press the Enter key.


Copying A Message

In the Explorer, drag and drop the message that you want to copy from its original location to any mail list.  This creates a new copy of the message.  You might want to rename the new message to avoid confusion.  (See Renaming A Message.)


Sending Email

Before sending email, you may want to check the addresses in your database for syntax.  (See Checking Email Addresses.)

1.	In the Explorer, click on the message ( [image]) that you want to send.

2.	On the menu, click Message > Send (or right-click on the message to use the popup menu).  As MailKing sends out your messages, it displays the Send Mail dialog box, which shows you the status as your messages are being sent.

3.	You can interrupt the process of sending mail by clicking the Cancel button.

4.	If there are any problems sending email, you will see a list of them in the Error Log dialog box, which appears automatically.


Sending Messages From The Outbox

1.	In the Explorer, click on the Outbox ( [image]).

2.	On the menu, click Outbox > Send All (or right-click on the Outbox to use the popup menu).

3.	You can interrupt the process of sending mail by clicking the Cancel button.

4.	If there are any problems sending email, you will see a list of them in the Error Log dialog box, which appears automatically.


Deleting Messages From The Outbox

1.	In the Explorer, click on the Outbox ( [image]).

2.	On the menu, click Outbox > Delete All (or right-click on the Outbox to use the popup menu).

3.	When MailKing confirms the delete, click Yes to delete all the messages in the Outbox (or click No to cancel).


Database Overview

This section explains what you need to know about databases to use MailKing.

With MailKing a database serves as a catalog of all the people to whom you might send email. The database is a storehouse of information about your potential recipients.  Each person is represented in the database by a record, which contains such information as their name, email address, city, state, age, income, organization (company), phone number, and so on.  (Each piece of information about the person is known as a field.)  The assortment of fields stored for each person is completely up to you.  You can add or delete fields to suit your purposes.

The contents of a database are stored in one or more tables within the database.  MailKing represents databases at the first level in the Explorer interface, and each table (often there is only one) within a database is represented at the second level.  For each table you can create one or more mail lists, which define people chosen from the table to be email recipients.

See Also:

Mail List Overview

Message Overview

Sending Overview

Compatible Databases


Compatible Databases

MailKing can read the following databases directly (you don’t have to import or export anything):

Access (*.mdb)

Excel (*.xls)

dBase 5.0 (*.dbf)

dBase IV (*.dbf)

dBase III (*.dbf)

Paradox 5.x (*.db)

Paradox 4.x (*.db)

Paradox 3.x (*.db)

FoxPro 3.0 (*.dbf)

FoxPro 2.6 (*.dbf)

FoxPro 2.5 (*.dbf)

FoxPro 2.0 (*.dbf)

Lotus WK4 (*.wk4, *.wks)

Lotus WK3 (*.wk3, *.wks)

Lotus WK1 (*.wk1, *.wks)

HTML Import (*.htm)

Text (*.txt, *.csv)

NetMailer (*.dbf)

(See Opening An Existing Database.)

Importing Data

MailKing can also import the following types of data:

Act! Database (*.dbf)

Eudora Address Book


Default Database
The Default Database

MailKing provides you with a default database, which means MailKing gives you a blank database containing several predefined fields.  The default database is a perfect starting point if you do not already have a database and you want to start building one from scratch.

The default database is what is generated with the File > New Database command.  The actual file that serves as the template for the default database is default.mdb that is located in the templates directory.  If you modify this file (a Microsoft Access database), you modify the default database generated by the File > New Database command.  Therefore, do not delete this file (default.mdb in the templates directory) and be aware that this file is the basis for the File > New Database command.


Preparing A Text File

This section contains general information about preparing a text file if you plan to either import data from it or open the text file as a database.

Preparing A Text File To Import

The guidelines are as follows:

•	The file may begin with several consecutive lines (rows) of text that you want to ignore.  Just be sure to set Start import at row appropriately when you use the Table > Import Text File command (Step 1 of 3).

•	Define your file so that each line contains information for a single record.  For example, the first piece of information on the line might be the Last Name, the second might be the First Name, and so on –  the values correspond to fields in your database.  Extraneous fields can be ignored when you import the file.

•	You can choose any character to separate fields (this character is the delimiter).  Typical delimiters are:  tab, space, semicolon, and comma.

(See Importing Text Into A Database.)

Preparing A Text File To Open As A Database

The guidelines are as follows:

•	The first line establishes the format of the remainder of the file by designating actual field names from your database.  For example, the first line might be:

Last Name, First Name, Organization, City, State, Phone

•	The remaining lines contain the field values that you are importing, where each line contains information for a single record.  An example line might be:

Smith, John, JS Inc., New Orleans, Louisiana, (504) 123-4567

•	The file must be comma-delimited – the values for fields must be separated by commas.

(See Opening An Existing Database.  The file type will be Text.)


Act Database
Act! Database

MailKing provides two means of retrieving information from an Act! database:  you can directly open an Act! database as a FoxPro database (using the File > Open Database command), or you can import the contents into a Microsoft Access database (using the File > Import > Act! Database command).

A key difference between opening and importing an Act! database lies in whether or not you can access the email field.  When you open an Act! database directly, the email field is unavailable.  However, if you import an Act! database, MailKing is able to locate the email field and store it in an Access database.  The following sections provide further information on opening and importing Act! databases.

Opening

If you open an Act! database directly (using the File > Open Database command), MailKing will operate on the very same database file (*.DBF) used by Act!.  This means that if you edit the contents of the database, the changes will be reflected in Act!.

Editing the database contents (Name, Address, and so on) is fine; however, if you plan to continue using Act! with your original database and you have opened it (File > Open Database) in MailKing, do not delete or rename database fields.  The consequence of deleting or renaming fields under these circumstances is that Act! may no longer recognize the database.

Importing

When you import an Act! database, MailKing creates a new Access database and saves it the same directory as the original Act! database, using the same name but saving the file with a different extension, MDB.  If this file already exists, the contents are replaced.

(See Importing An Act! Database .)


Eudora Address Book

MailKing can import names and email addresses from a Eudora address book and store them in a Microsoft Access database (*.MDB).  All the names are imported into a single database table, and MailKing automatically generates separate mail lists for each group (if any are present) in the Eudora address book.

To generate each of these mail lists, MailKing simply creates a filter that specifies the appropriate people in the Access database.  Of course, you can modify or delete these mail lists – they are generated only for your convenience.  (See Using Filters To Build A Mail List and Importing A Eudora Address Book.)


Stored Queries In Microsoft Access

MailKing enables advanced database users to take advantage of stored queries in a Microsoft Access database.  When you open an Access database, MailKing automatically reads any stored SQL statements and places the results of each query into the Explorer interface, just as if it were a table.  You can create mail lists for a query just as you would for a table.

You cannot add, delete, or rename fields in the query – neither can you create a new stored query in MailKing.  You can, however, modify the contents of fields within the query, and the results will be reflected back in the original Access database.

(See Database Overview.)


Mail List Overview

A mail list is a group of people chosen from your database to receive your email message.  In other words, it is the target audience for your message.  Building a mail list is an exciting part of using MailKing because of the powerful tools for selecting people from the database based on various criteria such as the person’s location, age, occupation, income, and so on.  You can include people in your mail list (or exclude them from it) based on any fields stored in the database.

In the MailKing Explorer interface, a mail list is on the third level, just below a database table.  For any table, you can create one or more mail lists.  For each mail list, you can compose one or more messages.

See Also:

Database Overview

Message Overview

Sending Overview


Filter Overview

The main tool for selecting people from the database (as described in the Mail List Overview) is called a filter.  Here is a basic example of how a filter works.

Example

Let’s say your database stores a person’s name, address, age, and income.  If you want to send an email message to only those people who live in New York state and make at least $30,000, you could set up a filter like this one:

Field	Operation	Value

State	Equal to	New York

AND	Income	Greater or equal	30000

Adding to the previous example, suppose you wanted to send the message to people who lived in either New York or New Jersey and make at least $30,000.  The following filter would work:

Field	Operation	Value

State	Equal to	New York

AND	Income	Greater or equal	30000

OR	State	Equal to	New Jersey

AND	Income	Greater or equal	30000

(Note that you can override a filter and explicitly include or exclude anyone from a mail list.  See Overriding Filters.)

Mixing ANDs And ORs

It is important to understand how MailKing interprets a combination of ANDs and ORs in a filter.  MailKing considers first the ANDs and then the ORs.  Let’s look back at the previous example to see what this means:  MailKing initially combines the first two lines because they are joined with AND.  Also, the third and fourth lines are combined because of the AND.  This results in two conditions:  1) lives in New York and makes at least $30,000 and 2) lives in New Jersey and makes at least $30,000.  Finally, because these two conditions are joined with an OR, a person is included in the mail list if either of these conditions is true.

Incorrect Example

This example intentionally shows you an incorrect filter that attempts to achieve the same result as in the previous example.  The purpose of this is to show you that MailKing does not read the filter from top to bottom, but rather looks for the ANDs first and then the ORs.

Field	Operation	Value

State	Equal to	New York

OR	State	Equal to	New Jersey

AND	Income	Greater or equal	30000

This filter appears to say, “include people who live in New York or New Jersey and who make at least $30,000;” however, MailKing is looking for ANDs then ORs.  Therefore, MailKing looks at the bottom two rows first because they are joined with AND.  Here is how MailKing sees the filter:  “include people who live in New Jersey and make at least $30,000, or people who live in New York.”  The incorrect filter is flawed because it would include anyone who lived in New York, regardless of their income (although it would get the New Jersey people right).


Overriding Filters

A filter is a general rule defining who is included in a mail list.  (For example, a filter might include all people in the database who live in a certain state.)  However, you can override a filter and explicitly exclude someone from your mail list.  Likewise, you can explicitly include someone in a mail list even if the filter does not include that person.

See Also:

Including Someone In A Mail List

Excluding Someone From A Mail List

Including Someone In All Mail Lists

Excluding Someone From All Mail Lists


Message Overview

One of the main benefits of using MailKing is that it allows you to personalize your email message, so that your letter might begin Dear Stephen, instead of Dear Valued Customer.  This makes your message more interesting and more effective.  To accomplish this personalization, you simply supply the name of the database field in brackets, as in Dear [Name], when you compose your message.  (Selecting the field name is as easy as picking it from a list.)  When you send the message, the database information is substituted in place of the field name.

See Also:

Database Overview

Mail List Overview

Sending Overview


Sending Overview

The final step in the process of using MailKing is to send out your email message.  The message will be sent to everyone in the mail list, and each recipient will see a message that is tailored with specifics relating to that person (as described in the Message Overview).

If you are using an evaluation version of MailKing, the software will work only for 30 days, and each message will be accompanied by a banner of text about obtaining MailKing.  This banner will not appear in your registered version.

For information on getting a registered version, see Purchasing And Registering MailKing.

See Also:

Database Overview

Mail List Overview

Message Overview

The Outbox


The Outbox

MailKing contains an Outbox for storing outgoing email messages.  There are two reasons why a message would end up in the Outbox:

•	the message was unable to be sent (perhaps because you lost your internet connection while sending) or

•	you chose to direct messages to the Outbox rather than to send them to their recipients.

The Outbox, which displays at the first level in the Explorer interface, preserves messages so that you can send them later.  When you click on the Outbox in the Explorer, the right side of the interface splits horizontally to show you 1) a list of the messages in the Outbox (the top half) and 2) a preview of each message (the bottom half).  Clicking on a message displays a preview.

You can intentionally direct messages to the Outbox by deselecting the Send messages immediately check box on the General tab under View > Options.  This parameter controls the action taken when you send email (using the Send command).  The normal setting for this parameter is to be selected, in which case MailKing actually sends mail when you use the Send command.  However, if you deselect  this check box, MailKing merely places the outgoing messages in the Outbox.

You can send Outbox messages later (see Sending Messages From The Outbox), or you can delete all messages in the Outbox (see Deleting Messages From The Outbox).

See Also

Sending Overview


Frequently Asked Questions

For an updated list of frequently asked questions, go to http://www.mailking.com/html/support.html.

How do I move my MailKing installation to another location?

1.	Copy the MailKing.mkd file (located in the directory in which you installed MailKing) to a location other than the current installation directory.

2.	Uninstall MailKing (using the Uninstall icon in the MailKing program group).

3.	Reinstall MailKing in the new location.

4.	Copy the MailKing.mkd file, which was set aside, to the directory of the new installation.

How do I contact Revnet?

You can contact Revnet through http://www.mailking.com.


Default Database Fields

The default database (a Microsoft Access database) that comes with MailKing contains the following fields:

Email	Address 1

Salutation	Address 2

First Name	City

Middle Name	State

Last Name	Country

Postfix	Postal Code

Organization	Phone

Title	Fax

Department


Wildcard Key-ins

Use ? to substitute for any single character, * to substitute for any string of characters, and brackets ( [ ] ) to signify a range of characters.

Example	Meaning

*	any line of text

ABC*	any line that begins with ABC

*ABC	any line that ends with ABC

ABC[123]*	any line that begins with ABC1, ABC2, or ABC3

ABC[0-9]*	any line that begins with ABC followed immediately by a number (such as “ABC7 example”)

*A?C*	any line that includes an A and a C separated by a single character (such as “another AMC example”)


Wildcard Key-ins

Use ? to substitute for any single character, * to substitute for any string of characters, and brackets ( [ ] ) to signify a range of characters.

Example	Meaning

*	any field of text

ABC*	any field that begins with ABC

*ABC	any field that ends with ABC

ABC[123]*	any field that begins with ABC1, ABC2, or ABC3

ABC[0-9]*	any field that begins with ABC followed immediately by a number (such as “ABC7 example”)

*A?C*	any field that includes an A and a C separated by a single character (such as “another AMC example”)


What Next?

After creating a database:

Add people to the database one at a time

Add people to the database starting with a text file

Add people to the database starting with an Act! database

Add people to the database starting with a Eudora address book

Add fields to the database

Delete fields from the database

Rename fields in the database


What Next?

After opening a database:

Add people to the database one at a time

Add people to the database starting with a text file

Delete people from the database

Edit a person in the database

Search for people in the database

Sort people in the database

Check for valid email addresses in the database

Add fields to the database

Delete fields from the database

Rename fields in the database

Create a mail list of recipients


What Next?

After importing text:

View all people in the database

View a single person in the database

Add people to the database one at a time

Delete people from the database

Edit a person in the database

Search for people in the database

Sort people in the database

Check for valid email addresses in the database

Add fields to the database

Delete fields from the database

Rename fields in the database

Create a mail list of recipients


What Next?

After importing an Act! database:

View all people in the database

View a single person in the database

Add people to the database one at a time

Add people to the database starting with a text file

Delete people from the database

Edit a person in the database

Search for people in the database

Sort people in the database

Check for valid email addresses in the database

Add fields to the database

Delete fields from the database

Rename fields in the database

Create a mail list of recipients


What Next?

After importing a Eudora address book text:

View all people in the database

View a single person in the database

Add people to the database one at a time

Delete people from the database

Edit a person in the database

Search for people in the database

Sort people in the database

Check for valid email addresses in the database

Add fields to the database

Delete fields from the database

Rename fields in the database

Create a mail list of recipients


What Next?

After viewing a single database record:

View all people in the database

Add people to the database one at a time

Add people to the database starting with a text file

Delete people from the database

Edit a person in the database

Search for people in the database

Sort people in the database

Check for valid email addresses in the database

Add fields to the database

Delete fields from the database

Rename fields in the database

Create a mail list of recipients


What Next?

After viewing all database records:

View a single person in the database

Add people to the database one at a time

Add people to the database starting with a text file

Delete people from the database

Edit a person in the database

Search for people in the database

Sort people in the database

Check for valid email addresses in the database

Add fields to the database

Delete fields from the database

Rename fields in the database

Create a mail list of recipients


What Next?

After adding a record:

Add people to the database starting with a text file

Delete people from the database

Edit a person in the database

Search for people in the database

Sort people in the database

Check for valid email addresses in the database

Add fields to the database

Delete fields from the database

Rename fields in the database

Create a mail list of recipients


What Next?

After deleting a record:

Add people to the database one at a time

Add people to the database starting with a text file

Edit a person in the database

Search for people in the database

Sort people in the database

Check for valid email addresses in the database

Add fields to the database

Delete fields from the database

Rename fields in the database

Create a mail list of recipients


What Next?

After editing a record:

Add people to the database one at a time

Add people to the database starting with a text file

Delete people from the database

Search for people in the database

Sort people in the database

Check for valid email addresses in the database

Add fields to the database

Delete fields from the database

Rename fields in the database

Create a mail list of recipients


What Next?

After searching for a record:

Add people to the database one at a time

Add people to the database starting with a text file

Delete people from the database

Edit a person in the database

Sort people in the database

Check for valid email addresses in the database

Add fields to the database

Delete fields from the database

Rename fields in the database

Create a mail list of recipients


What Next?

After sorting records:

Add people to the database one at a time

Add people to the database starting with a text file

Delete people from the database

Edit a person in the database

Search for people in the database

Check for valid email addresses in the database

Add fields to the database

Delete fields from the database

Rename fields in the database

Create a mail list of recipients


What Next?

After adding fields:

Delete fields from the database

Rename fields in the database

Add people to the database one at a time

Add people to the database starting with a text file

Add people to the database starting with an Act! database

Add people to the database starting with a Eudora address book

Delete people from the database

Edit a person in the database

Search for people in the database

Sort people in the database

Check for valid email addresses in the database

Create a mail list of recipients


What Next?

After deleting fields:

Add fields to the database

Rename fields in the database

Add people to the database one at a time

Add people to the database starting with a text file

Add people to the database starting with an Act! database

Add people to the database starting with a Eudora address book

Delete people from the database

Edit a person in the database

Search for people in the database

Sort people in the database

Check for valid email addresses in the database

Create a mail list of recipients


What Next?

After renaming fields:

Add fields to the database

Delete fields from the database

Add people to the database one at a time

Add people to the database starting with a text file

Add people to the database starting with an Act! database

Add people to the database starting with a Eudora address book

Delete people from the database

Edit a person in the database

Search for people in the database

Sort people in the database

Check for valid email addresses in the database

Create a mail list of recipients


What Next?

After checking email addresses:

Add fields to the database

Delete fields from the database

Rename fields in the database

Add people to the database one at a time

Add people to the database starting with a text file

Add people to the database starting with an Act! database

Add people to the database starting with a Eudora address book

Delete people from the database

Edit a person in the database

Search for people in the database

Sort people in the database

Create a mail list of recipients


What Next?

After creating a mail list:

Use a filter to build a mail list

Include someone in a particular mail list

Exclude someone from a particular mail list

Include someone in all mail lists

Exclude someone from all mail lists

Rename a mail list

Delete a mail list

Copy a mail list

Create an email message


What Next?

After using filters:

Include someone in a particular mail list

Exclude someone from a particular mail list

Include someone in all mail lists

Exclude someone from all mail lists

Rename a mail list

Delete a mail list

Copy a mail list

Create an email message


What Next?

After including someone in a mail list:

Use a filter to build a mail list

Exclude someone from a particular mail list

Include someone in all mail lists

Exclude someone from all mail lists

Rename a mail list

Delete a mail list

Copy a mail list

Create an email message


What Next?

After excluding someone from a mail list:

Use a filter to build a mail list

Include someone in a particular mail list

Include someone in all mail lists

Exclude someone from all mail lists

Rename a mail list

Delete a mail list

Copy a mail list

Create an email message


What Next?

After including someone in all mail lists:

Use a filter to build a mail list

Include someone in a particular mail list

Exclude someone from a particular mail list

Exclude someone from all mail lists

Rename a mail list

Delete a mail list

Copy a mail list

Create an email message


What Next?

After excluding someone from all mail lists:

Use a filter to build a mail list

Include someone in a particular mail list

Exclude someone from a particular mail list

Include someone in all mail lists

Rename a mail list

Delete a mail list

Copy a mail list

Create an email message


What Next?

After renaming a mail list:

Use a filter to build a mail list

Include someone in a particular mail list

Exclude someone from a particular mail list

Include someone in all mail lists

Exclude someone from all mail lists

Delete a mail list

Copy a mail list

Create an email message


What Next?

After deleting a mail list:

Use a filter to build a mail list

Include someone in a particular mail list

Exclude someone from a particular mail list

Include someone in all mail lists

Exclude someone from all mail lists

Rename a mail list

Copy a mail list

Create an email message


What Next?

After copying a mail list:

Use a filter to build a mail list

Include someone in a particular mail list

Exclude someone from a particular mail list

Include someone in all mail lists

Exclude someone from all mail lists

Rename a mail list

Delete a mail list

Create an email message


What Next?

After creating a message:

Compose a mail message

Edit or view a mail message

Preview a mail message

Rename a mail message

Delete a mail message

Copy a mail message

Send email


What Next?

After composing a message:

Edit or view a mail message

Preview a mail message

Rename a mail message

Delete a mail message

Copy a mail message

Send email


What Next?

After editing or viewing a message:

Compose a mail message

Preview a mail message

Rename a mail message

Delete a mail message

Copy a mail message

Send email


What Next?

After previewing a message:

Compose a mail message

Edit or view a mail message

Rename a mail message

Delete a mail message

Copy a mail message

Send email


What Next?

After renaming a message:

Compose a mail message

Edit or view a mail message

Preview a mail message

Delete a mail message

Copy a mail message

Send email


What Next?

After deleting a message:

Compose a mail message

Edit or view a mail message

Preview a mail message

Rename a mail message

Copy a mail message

Send email


What Next?

After copying a message:

Compose a mail message

Edit or view a mail message

Preview a mail message

Rename a mail message

Delete a mail message

Send email