Content Overview

The information in this section assists students using Mozilla Thunderbird, Microsoft Outlook, or Eudora on their home PCs and laptops to access their RMail (Ryerson E-mail). The Academic Computing Help Desk in KHW71 is not available to help with problems encountered when setting up E-mail programs for use at home or on laptop computers because of the myriad software and system configurations. If you have any of the three programs above installed on your computer already, continue reading.

**Note: When using a web browser, Webmail is also available for home access via https://mail.ryerson.ca

Connection Requirements

Mozilla Thunderbird, Eudora and Microsoft Outlook require your home PC or laptop computer to be connected to a network on the Internet. Your computer can connect through an Internet Service Provider (ISP) or by setting up access through Ryerson's modem pool. While on campus, laptop users may also use a network port or wireless connection to access Ryerson's network. Students who need a regular and reliable Internet connection should purchase an account with an ISP. The instructions here only assist you in using the RMail system once you are connected to the Internet. If you choose an ISP, connect to the Internet following their directions. If you purchased a laptop through the ITM program, give its instructions priority over those in this guide

Quick Reference to RMail Client Settings

Sending Emails

The E-mail client software sends your mail using an Internet protocol called the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). Each Internet Service Provider will have a unique name for their SMTP server. For example smtp1.sympatico.ca is an SMTP server for Sympatico users. Ryerson's SMTP server is mail.ryerson.ca. You will need the complete name of your SMTP server to configure your E-mail software correctly. When using your home computer, a laptop on campus, or a PPP connection to Ryerson's modem pool, you need Ryerson’s SMTP server to send E-mail with your RMail account.

Receiving Emails

An ISP will almost certainly provide you with an E-mail account. You must decide if you want to use your ISP account, your RMail account or both. It is easier to use just one account. You may choose to have all your E-mail sent to one account. The Webmail section of this guide includes instructions for doing this at Ryerson. Your ISP should provide instructions on how to forward the E-mail sent to your ISP address to another account. First, decide which account to use; second, configure your E-mail software to access it. Fortunately, unlike sending mail, RMail is retrievable from any computer connected to the Internet regardless of how it is connected.

There are two Internet protocols for reading E-mail stored in your account on the RMail server - or for that matter in your ISP account:

1. Post Office Protocol (POP3) is a simpler protocol that downloads E-mail for reading. It has disadvantages. You can usually choose to leave a copy of your mail on the server or have it deleted automatically after you access it. When using POP3, be sure to select the option you want. If POP3 is set to automatically delete all your mail from the E-mail server after it is downloaded, it is your responsibility to back up and manage your mail files on your own computer. Leaving a copy on the server allows you to read mail from any system on campus as well as on your home system. You may read the same mail more than once. If you delete it from the server when you are at home it may be unavailable to you when you are on campus.
2. Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) leaves your mail on the server by keeping your local computer synchronized with the server. After deleting a message on your local machine it is deleted on the server immediately if you are connected or later when you reconnect. IMAP is a more complex system. Not all client software interacts perfectly with all IMAP servers. Consult your E-mail software help files for more information.

To keep the size of this section reasonable the instructions here are based on these assumptions:

1. Your Internet connection may be through an ISP, directly through Ryerson's network via PPP, or by connecting your laptop directly on campus (all these situations are covered).
2. After setting up your Internet connection through an ISP, you chose the same user name that was given to you at Ryerson.
3. You read your mail at Ryerson and direct or forward all your mail to your Ryerson account, e.g. user_name@ryerson.ca.
4. Even though you may send mail through an ISP one day and Ryerson the next, you want all E-mail responses to arrive at your Ryerson address.

These instructions are designed to assist you in configuring E-mail client software under the conditions listed above. Look in the E-mail software help files for additional information on using these programs.

Configuring Mozilla Thunderbird

To learn how to use Thunderbird, please visit the Thunderbird page.

These instructions cover Thunderbird 3.1 and higher.

Start Thunderbird; if this is your first time opening Thunderbird the Account Wizard will prompt you through the initial setup as follows:

1. On the Mail Account Setup screen, enter your Name, Email Address, and Password. Your name can be whatever you choose and does not have to match anything. Email Address and Password however must match your existing Email Address and Password. Click Continue. (Fig. 1)




Fig. 1 - Setting Server Information



2. Thunderbird will attempt to connect to the server based on common names and settings. If successful the Incoming and Outgoing servers will show green circle icons to their left. (Fig. 2)




Fig. 2 - Thunderbird Auto-Connecting


3. If Thunderbird fails to auto-connect, click "Edit" and manually enter the server type, names and ports. After completing your changes, click "Re-test Configuration". (Fig. 3)




Fig. 3 - Editing Server Information


4. When you have successfully connected to both servers, click "Create Account" to finish. (Fig. 2, 3)

In the event that Thunderbird does not automatically open with the Mail Account Setup window, you can manually launch your setup by selecting "Create new account" under Accounts in the main area of Thunderbird. (Fig. 4)

Account Settings

To open Account Settings and change server information, go to Tools > Account Settings.

1. The lefthand side of this window will display your current Email account with a selection of options below it. Make sure it's under the proper account and choose "Server Settings" if the menu has not selected this by default. (Fig. 3)
2. From here you can change server information as well as login information. (Fig. 3)
3. Change Outgoing Server information by selecting the Outgoing Server (SMTP) option from the left menu. (Fig. 3)
4. Add additional mail accounts or remove accounts by selecting the drop-down menu called Account Actions at the bottom of the left menu. (Fig. 3)

Fig. 5 - Server Settings

If connecting via an ISP, use their SMTP server name. If you do not know the SMTP server name, contact your ISP. If connecting at or through Ryerson, use mail.ryerson.ca and type your RMail address in theOutgoing mail server user name field.

Mozilla Thunderbird is now configured and you can access your Ryerson e-mail. 
**Note: These instructions work with most ISPs. However, if you have connection problems with the settings, please contact your ISP.

Configuring Eudora

**Note: if you are using the newer open-source version of Eudora, please use the Configuring Mozilla Thunderbird instructions located above.

Several Eudora options need configuring before sending or receiving mail. Start Eudora (current version 6.2) and click Tools > Options. The Options window appears, now configure the following categories as follows:

1. Select the Getting Started icon and enter:
   • Your full name and your Return address as yourlogin@ryerson.ca, where "yourlogin" is your e-mail user ID.
   • Incoming Mail Server as mail.ryerson.ca
   • Login name is the same as your e-mail address
   • The Outgoing SMTP Server is your ISP 's SMTP Server name. If you do not know the SMTP server name, contact your ISP. If connecting at or through Ryerson, use mail.ryerson.ca and type your RMail address in the Outgoing mail server User Name field.
     
   
   
2. Select the Checking Mail icon and check that:
   • Mail Server is mail.ryerson.ca
   • The User name is the name that will be attached to your mail, which is your RMail user name.
   • You can select other options, as you need them.
   
   
3. Select the Incoming Mail icon:
   • Check IMAP for Server Configuration. This option will allow you to keep your email messages on the server and accessible from Ryerson as well as home.

   **Note: If you select POP, make sure you check "Leave mail on server"and "Delete from server when emptied from Trash".

4. Select the Sending Mail icon:
   • Email address is your RMail address.
   • The SMTP server should be your ISP's host name.
   • Check Use Submission port (587)
   
   
5. Click On OK.

Eudora is now configured and you can access your Rmail. However, if your mail configuration is set for IMAP, you will probably require an alternate port. If you have connection problems with the settings please contact your ISP.

Setting For Using A Secured Link (Using SSL) Or Regular Connection To Ryerson's Matrix Mail System

If your mail configuration is set for IMAP you may get the following screen appearing when you check for new mail. This is caused by the secure socket settings.

**Note: The latest version 7.1 will prompt you for your password. Then it will display a SSL certified popup (Fig. 7), click yes. Your configuration for version 7.1 is now complete.

For older versions, you can configure the settings in two ways:

•  
  •  
    1. Using SSL to use a secure tunnel and encrypt the link to the mail system.
    2. Using a standard connection (unsecured connection) that many systems use.

• Select the Personality tab as shown in Fig. 9 and highlight the e-mail account you want to modify.
• Click on the e-mail account and select Properties from the drop down menu.

Select the Incoming Mail tab.

If you would like to use a secure connection then:

From the Secure Sockets when Receiving drop down menu select the Required, Alternate Port setting.

**Note: Again for version 7.1 accepting the SSL certificate is all that is required.

For a non-secure connection then:

From the Secure Sockets when Receiving drop down menu, select Never.

Be sure to use the same settings for both Generic Properties and Incoming Mail pages.

Click on the OK button.
Now click on the Check Mail icon.

Click the Yes button.
Enter the password for your e-mail account.

If you chose the non-secure connection type, then you are FINISHED!

If you chose to use a secure connection you should see the same screen as Fig. 11.

1. Go to the Properties for the e-mail account again.
2. Click On the Incoming Mail tab at the top and click on the Last SSL Info button and you will see the screen below.

If the Server Name and Port do not match as seen on the left, you may need to exit Eudora and start it up again. Return to this point again.

3. Click On the Certificate Information Manager button.

4. Next, select the "US DigiCert Inc, www.digicert.com, DigiCert Global CA" certificate as highlighted above, and click the Add To Trusted button.

The certificate is now added to the User Trusted Certificates list.

5. Click the Done button.
6. Click on the OK button for the Eudora SSL Connection Information Manager screen.
7. Click on the OK button for the Account Settings for <demo01> screen.

You are now configured.

Configuring Outlook Express

Before accessing your Ryerson Email from home, you must configure several options on Microsoft's Outlook Express. Follow these instructions to configure Outlook Express Six.

Start Outlook Express and click Tools > Accounts. The Internet Accounts window will appear:

Click Add > Mail. The Internet Connection Wizard prompts you through the process of setting up your Outlook Express configuration:

1. Enter your Display Name. This name appears in the From field of your outgoing messages. Click Next.
2. Enter your RMail address. For example, demo01@ryerson.ca. Click Next.
3. Enter the following e-mail server information:
   
   Fig. 15 - Internet Connection Wizard window
   
   • Select your incoming mail server type. The RMail server supports both POP3 and IMAP. Please select your options carefully: IMAP requires you to be online for viewing old e-mail messages stored on the mail server. POP3 allows you to download messages to your PC with an option of leaving a copy on the server.
   • In the Incoming mail (POP3, IMAP or HTTP) server field enter mail.ryerson.ca to access your Ryerson e-mail.
   • Specify an Outgoing mail (SMTP) server. If you use an ISP to connect to the Internet you must enter the ISP's SMTP server. For example, the Sympatico ISP uses smtp1.sympatico.ca. If you are not sure of which SMTP server to use, please contact your ISP. If you are connecting through or at Ryerson, enter mail.ryerson.ca.
   • Click Next.
4. Enter your Account Name on the Outgoing mail server you specified in Step Three. For increased security, you may want to enter the optional password field every time you login.
5. Click Finish.

Using POP3 With Outlook Express

If your access to Ryerson e-mail uses POP3 and you do not wish to have your mail deleted from the mail server after it is downloaded to your PC, you must specify this option:

1. Click Tools > Accounts. The Internet Accounts window appears.
2. Select the mail.ryerson.ca account you just created, and click Properties. 
   
   

   
   Fig. 16 - Properties window
3. Click On the Advanced tab.
4. Under the Delivery heading, check the boxes labeled "Leave a copy of message on server" and "Remove from server when deleted from 'Deleted Items'".

It is highly recommended you do this to ensure your e-mail is not removed from your central mail server, but your deleted messages are.

Usenet Newsgroups

News Groups

Usenet is an information network used around the world by discussion groups. There are hundreds of newsgroups available. Topics range from general to specialized interest groups. A group is made up of a collection of articles that users send by E-mail. The messages are posted for all to read. 

Use Thunderbird to access newsgroups. In addition to the hundreds of lists available worldwide, there are a number of Ryerson groups exclusively available to the news.ryerson.ca server. These groups begin with the name rye.

Subscribing To Newsgroups

Inside Mozilla Thunderbird, click Tools > Account Settings > Add Account, and then the account wizard will launch. The steps on how to set up the wizard are explained below.

1. Select Newsgroup Account and click Next.
   

   
   Fig. 17 - Account Wizard New Account Setup window
2. Enter your name and your RMail address, then click Next.
   
   
   
   Fig. 18 - Account Wizard Identity window
3. Enter news.ryerson.ca as your Newsgroup Server. Click Next.
   
   
   
   Fig. 19 - Account Wizard Server Information window
4. Create a name for the Newsgroup Account. (e.g. Ryerson News). click Next.
   
   
   
   Fig. 20 - Account Wizard Account Name window
5. The properties of the Newsgroup account are summarized in this window. click Finish to complete the wizard and close the window.
   
   
   
   Fig. 21 - Account Wizard Verification window

Once your newsgroup is set up in Account Settings, you will need to subscribe to the newsgroup before you can view the contents in the Messenger window. Click File > Subscribe… to open the Subscribe dialog box.

In the Account drop down menu, select news.ryerson.ca to see the list of Ryerson Newsgroups. Afterwards, in the scroll box below, you can click a newsgroup to highlight it (in blue in the image above), then click the Subscribe button. Otherwise, you may select the checkbox to the right of each newsgroup to Subscribe as well. If you use the first method and you wish to select more than one newsgroup, hold down the Ctrl key then click on your choices before clicking Subscribe. When you have selected all your newsgroups, click OK and the list of your subscribed newsgroups will appear in the Mail window.

Reading & Posting Newsgroup Articles

In the folder panel of the Messenger window, click the plus (+) symbol to the left of news.ryerson.ca to display a list of your subscribed newsgroups. To select a group, click on its name so all the current articles open up in the Message List panel. Click on a particular article to display the contents in the Message Content panel.

Use the icons provided at the top of the screen to Get Mail, or compose a Write or Reply to a current article. These options are similar to those for regular E-mail. 

**Note: when you reply, you can reply to the newsgroup and/or individual sender of the article. 

Articles remain listed for approximately three to five days. The messages last only three days when a list is kept active.

**Note:When sending a message to a newsgroup, only select the newsgroup name, or an article in a particular newsgroup. To send regular E-mail, go to the top of the Folder panel and click on your my.ryerson_user_name@ryerson.ca.