NetMail/3000 Menu Interface
Users Guide
2-2
What You Need to Know About Sending Electronic Mail
For mail users, NetMail/3000 tries to provide a user interface for the computer novice, as
well as shortcuts for the computer pro. Most commands are available via the terminal function
keys on HP terminals as well as being enterable (with appropriate shortcuts) from the keyboard.
Electronic mail is similar in many respects to conventional post office style mail -- but
much faster and without the stamps! Electronic messages consist of two parts; the envelope and
the message or letter itself.
An electronic envelope, just like the equivalent you are used to, is merely a “holder” for
the message itself. It routes the message with an address of the intended recipient, and (usually)
contains a return address in case there is a problem delivering the message.
Electronic “envelopes” contain the same information as the traditional paper envelopes,
though to make it easy for computers to process, the information is coded in a specified format.
NetMail/3000 takes care of formatting the “envelope” for you, and prompts you for the informa-
tion it needs.
A paper envelope, like its electronic equivalent, shows no outward signs of the message
within. Unlike the paper envelope, electronic envelopes can contain text messages (like standard
typewritten correspondence), as well as many other types of computer data. For purposes of
example, the previous envelope might contain a message as follows:
From: My Address
No
Postage
Due
To: Your Address
Mar 21, 1993
From: John Smith (Regional Manager)
To: Department
Cc: Admin Staff
Dear Sirs:
The next meeting on monthly sales figures will be
held tomorrow morning at 9AM.
