Ximian Evolution 1.4 Sun Microsystems Edition User Guide

Introduction to Inbox

Inbox is the default location for your email messages. You can use Inbox to compose, send, and receive messages. Figure 4–1 shows a typical Inbox window.

Figure 4–1 Typical Inbox Window

A typical Inbox window. Callouts: Folder pane, Message pane, Preview pane.

The Inbox window contains a folder pane. The folder pane displays the folders in which you can store your messages. To show or hide the folder pane, choose View -> Folder Bar.

The Inbox window also contains a message pane and a preview pane. In the upper part of the window, the message pane displays a list of your messages. In the lower part of the window, the preview pane displays a preview of the currently selected message. To show or hide the preview pane, choose View -> Preview Pane.

Figure 4–2 shows a typical message pane.

Figure 4–2 Typical Message Pane

Inbox with message pane and preview pane. Callouts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

The following table lists the message pane interface components that are in Figure 4–2:

Number	Description
1	Searchbar. You can use the searchbar to perform a simple search of all messages in a folder. For example, you can search for a message that contains a particular text string.
2	Column headings. In the message pane, your messages are organized as a table. The rows of the table contain header information for your messages. The columns represent information fields of your messages, such as the sender of the message, the subject of the message, and so on. By default, the message pane displays the following columns, from left to right: Status Attachment Important From Subject Date

Number

Description

Searchbar. You can use the searchbar to perform a simple search of all messages in a folder. For example, you can search for a message that contains a particular text string.

Column headings. In the message pane, your messages are organized as a table. The rows of the table contain header information for your messages. The columns represent information fields of your messages, such as the sender of the message, the subject of the message, and so on. By default, the message pane displays the following columns, from left to right:

Status
Attachment
Important
From
Subject
Date

The message header information is displayed in different formats in the message list, depending on the status of the message. Figure 4–2 illustrates these formats in the message list. The following table lists and describes the formats in which the message header information is displayed:

Number	Format	Description
3	Bold	This message has not been read.
4	No formatting	This message has been read.
5	Red color	This message is marked as important.
6	Highlighted	This message is currently selected.

You can use the Inbox window to perform all of your email-related tasks, such as reading, composing, and sending messages. Ximian Evolution enables you to organize your messages into folders, and to sort your messages by different fields. You can mark, flag, and label your messages to help you to manage your messages.

You can also use the following Evolution features to help you to manage your messages:

Views

Views enable you to look at your messages in different ways. A view is a particular arrangement of messages. A view specifies which columns are displayed in a message list, and by which fields the messages are sorted. You can use standard views, or you can create custom views.

Virtual folders

A virtual folder represents messages that might reside in more than one folder. Virtual folders enable you to view messages that are located in several folders, as if the messages are in one folder.

Filters

A filter is a tool that you can use to test your messages for specific conditions, then perform actions on the messages that meet the conditions. For example, you can use a filter to automatically move email that you receive from an address to a folder.

Searches

The Inbox window contains a searchbar. You can use the searchbar to search the contents of the messages in your message list. You can also perform advanced searches.

Evolution enables you to save your searches. The saved searches are added to the Search menu, and you can choose the searches from this menu. Evolution also contains a search editor that you can use to add, edit, and delete searches.