Reasons to Use Squirrelmail as your Web-based E-mail Client
SquirrelMail is Dr. Bill Bailey.NET's webmail client. There are several advantages to using the web-based SquirrelMail rather than a local e-mail client like Outlook Express, or Outlook:
  • E-mail viruses are never automatically opened — In fact, no attachments are ever downloaded unless you click on the Download task... plus we scan all e-mail coming in to the server.
  • Spam is DRASTICALLY reduced by server-side filters and applications like SpamAssassin.
  • You can process your e-mail when you’re out of town or at work — Just go to your Mail Home Page and log in to SquirrelMail with your username and password.
  • You don't have to wait for messages to download — You have access to your e-mails while they are still on the Dr. Bill Bailey.NET server. Outlook Express and other e-mail clients download your e-mails from the server and put them on your computer.
  • Spammers won’t be notified that you received their e-mail — Many spam e-mails contain images that are linked to a domain (rather than attached to the e-mail.) When you view such an e-mail with most e-mail clients, you are contacting the linked server, potentially letting the sender know you opened it. SquirrelMail does not contact the sender unless you ask to.
  • Save space on your computer — Leave all your e-mail on the Dr. Bill Bailey.NET server and download only the attachments you want.  The mail is also backed up on our servers.
  • Avoid e-mail software problems — No worries about software updates, compatibility, security risks, or bugs. Many e-mail problems stem from downloading— messages contain too-large attachments, too many messages for the client to handle, or configuration problems.
  • You can always get help on using SquirrelMail from within SquirrelMail... just click on the Help link at the top of your SquirrelMail screen, then click the "Table of Contents" link for information on the kinds of things you can get help on from within SquirrelMail.
Also, you can actually use a local (PC based) e-mail client AND SquirrelMail, although you shouldn’t use both at the same time (that is, at the same MOMENT in time, a server security feature will temporarily lock your mailbox if you do.) Some people use SquirrelMail to check messages while at work, and then download them later at home with Outlook Express, or another POP3 local client. You could also use SquirrelMail to remove any unwanted or too-large e-mails if Outlook refuses to download them. Also, you can use Mozilla Thunderbird with the IMAP setup, and have the best of both worlds: local client e-mail that leaves the messages on the server, where you can still read, reply, and search them from the SquirrelMail Webmail client via your browser!

How to set up the Mozilla Thunderbird IMAP mail client


Download Thunderbird from: http://www.mozilla.org/products/thunderbird/
  • Install Thunderbird on your PC.
  • Select "Tools", then "Account Settings"
  • Set up your settings, similiar to what is shown below (substitute your name, account, password, and local service provider's SMTP server)  Remember your domain's IMAP server name is always "mail.'your domain name'" (Example: for the fvc.org domain, "mail.fvc.org", for the ptnc.com domain, "mail.ptnc.com," etc.):

Server Setup 1

SMTP Setup

Be sure to find the correct SMTP server name for YOUR ISP!  Also, if your ISP requires a username and password, insert this info as well.

Thunderbird also has a feature that use advanced Bayesian Spam Filtering, which it calls "Junk Mail Controls."  That is, it "learns" what you consider SPAM as you mark messages as SPAM, once you setup the filter properly.  Here is the screen to do that setup:

Spam Filter Setup

This screen is under: "Tools," "Junk Mail Controls."  Now when you "right click" on a message in your INBOX in Thunderbird, then select "Mark", then the option "As Junk."  The message will be deleted, and Thunderbird will "learn" from this that you no longer want e-mail in the future like that message!