1. Writing E-mails and Reading News

Abstract

The KMail mailer is integrated into a groupware client named Kontact which also contains the Akregator RSS news reader. This chapter describes how to configure and use both of these applications to compose, read and organize your e-mail messages, as well as your news feeds.

1.1. KMail

Launch KMail by choosing Internet+MailKMail from the main menu.

1.1.1. Configuring KMail

Figure 8.1. KMail's Startup Interface

KMail's Startup Interface

The first time you run KMail, Kontact's main window appears and the Mail section is selected. Access the configuration window through the SettingsConfigure KMail menu. First of all, you must define an identity[4] under the Identities category. Click on the Modify button and fill in Your name, Organization and E-mail address.

Use the Cryptography, Advanced and Signature tabs to set up other parameters such as different “Reply-To” addresses, a GPG key to send messages securely, and so on. Click on OK and Apply to define your default identity.

Now configure the mail servers in the Accounts section. Click on Add in the Receiving tab, select POP3 as the account type[5].

Figure 8.2. Configuring a POP3 Mail Account

Configuring a POP3 Mail Account

Complete the Name field with a meaningful one for this account and the Host field with your POP3 server's name or IP address. Type in the e-mail user name and password which your ISP provided you with in the Login and Password fields. Check the Store POP Password option to avoid having to type your password each time you want to retrieve messages (see Figure 8.2, “Configuring a POP3 Mail Account”)[6]. If you use many computers to access your e-mail with a POP3 account, you should check the Leave fetched messages on the server option which allows you to access the messages you already downloaded from another computer. Click on OK to add the account.

[Tip]Tip

If you have a permanent network connection (such as DSL or cable-modem) activate the Enable interval mail checking option which tells KMail to fetch messages periodically.

Figure 8.3. Setting the Outgoing Mail Server

Setting the Outgoing Mail Server

In the Sending tab click on Add, and select SMTP as the transport type. Fill the Name field with a meaningful name for this server and the Host field with the SMTP server's name or IP address (see Figure 8.3, “Setting the Outgoing Mail Server”).

[Note]Note

For security reasons, the outgoing mail server you use may need authentication. If this is the case, check the Server requires authentication box and complete the login and password provided by your ISP or network administrator.

1.1.2. KMail's Interface

Figure 8.4. KMail Client Interface

KMail Client Interface

Toolbar. Where the main action buttons lie. See Table 8.1, “KMail's Toolbar Buttons”.

Messages List. Where information (subject, date, sender, etc.) about messages stored in the currently selected folder is displayed.

Message View Pane. Where the currently selected message's contents are displayed.

Folders List. Where all folders are listed. The default folders are inbox (incoming messages), outbox (unsent templates), sent-mail (already sent messages), trash (deleted messages) and drafts (draft messages).

Kontact Buttons. On the left of the interface are buttons to access Kontact's components such as RSS Feeds (see Section 1.2, “Akregator”).

The following table shows the most important buttons available in KMail's toolbar, their equivalent keyboard shortcuts and a brief explanation of the functions they provide.

Table 8.1. KMail's Toolbar Buttons

ButtonKeyboard ShortcutFunction
Ctrl-N

Compose a New Message.

Ctrl-L

Get new messages for all defined e-mail accounts. Keep this button pressed to display a list of all defined accounts; select the one you want to get mail from in order to retrieve messages only for that account.

R

Reply to the author of the selected message. A message-compose window pops up with some fields already set.

F

Forward (send to a third party) the selected message.

Del

Delete the selected messages. Deleted messages are moved to the Trash folder. You can recover messages moved to the trash folder, but deletion from the Trash folder cannot be undone: be careful!

[Note]Note

Some of those buttons have a little black arrow at the bottom right corner. An additional menu with related actions can be displayed by pressing the mouse button a little longer.

1.1.3. Composing a Message

Figure 8.5. The Message-Compose Window

The Message-Compose Window

Toolbar. This is where the main composition buttons reside. See Table 8.2, “Message-Composition Toolbar Buttons”

Message Body. The area where you will type the content of your message.

Message Recipients. The list of all recipients of this message. By default, the following options are shown:

  • To: the “principal” intended recipient of this message.

  • CC (Carbon Copy): not-hidden “secondary” intended recipient(s) of this message. All recipients will have access to the mail addresses to which this message is sent.

  • BCC (Blind Carbon Copy): these recipients are also “secondary” but are hidden from the other recipients of this message. No recipients of the message will have access to the other mail addresses to which this message was sent.

The following table shows the buttons which are mostly used in the message-composition window, their equivalent keyboard shortcuts and a brief explanation of the functions they provide.

Table 8.2. Message-Composition Toolbar Buttons

ButtonKeyboard ShortcutFunction
Ctrl-Enter

Sends the message immediately (your network connection must be active). A copy of the message will be kept in the sent-mail folder.

 

Queue the message. The message will be saved in the outbox folder and will be sent the next time you request mail to be sent (FileSend Queued Messages).

 

Attach a file to the message. This function is also accessible through the AttachAttach File menu. A standard file dialog will pop up. Select the file you want to attach and click on Attach. Repeat for multiple files.

1.2. Akregator

Akregator is a feed reader or aggregator which can check on RSS-enabled web sites for the latest headlines or articles. RSS is typically used on blogs, personal web sites but also on major media sites such as those from the BBC and Reuters.

Figure 8.6. Akregator's Interface

Akregator's Interface

Find a syndicated site[7] and save the feed's URL by right-clicking on it. Then right-click on the All Feeds folder at the top of Akregator's tree structure. Paste the URL by clicking on your middle mouse button in the Feed URL field and click OK.

Figure 8.7. Adding a Feed

Adding a Feed

Right-click on a feed and select Fetch Feed to retrieve all of its articles. The right side of Akregator's window allows you to see all of your feed's article titles. Click on a title and then on the Complete Story link to read that story in a new tab.



[4] It is useful to create a different identity for each e-mail address you might have (work and private, for instance).

[5] We use POP3 in our example since most ISPs provide POP3 accounts to retrieve mail. If you have another account type, such as an IMAP (Internet Mail Access Protocol) one, the configuration differs slightly.

[6] However please understand that this means anyone can actually access your e-mails if they are using your user account.

[7] A site which offers RSS feeds.