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OPUS 6.0: I created a Button Object with an Action to Launch Email. I followed instructions in filling out the TO, SUBJECT, MESSAGE, and even ATTACHMENT -- but nothing happens when I click this Button in Preview.

I have previously used the Browser -> Navigate method, but wanted to try this Launch Email feature. I checked my Control Panel -> Internet Options -> Programs -> E-Mail. There are only two options: Outlook Express and Windows Live Mail. It don't use/subscribe to either one. My email is through AOL.

Ideas?

Hi Fred,

If you have no default email program on your computer because you use a web based service like AOL or Yahoo then the launch action won't work.

I've seen the latest AOL desktop we have over here and it might be possible to configure email links to launch the that but I've never done it.

I've attached a publication that launch Outlook just fine on my machine for you to double check.

Mack

Mack --

My computer needed a re-install of Windows... Now I've also gone to SP3, so there are many variables which USED TO WORK, which now don't...

Previously to send email with OPUS, I put a hidden Browser on any Page with an email address, then did hypertext with a Left Mouse Click triggering an ACTION of Browser -> Navigate, where you then do a pull-down of the first required field -- selecting the "Browser 1" which I initially installed.

In the second field (Naviage to this Internet address:) I put in "mailto:fred@company.com" with no spaces. When I test my old way, it pops up an Outlook Express screen, but since I don't use Outlook Express, I don't think it's even been installed, this doesn't work.

Since so many programs allow anyone with email and an Internet connection to send an email with a single click, I'm surprised this doesn't work with OPUS.

Anyone with another idea?

Hi Fred,

Maybe it's as simple as setting some 'Preferences' or 'Internet Options' for your Browser... which email account to use. Or, maybe some Windows settings for 'default programs' (Control Panel >>> Internet Options >>> Programs tab)

However some of the web-based mail services do not let you (ever/easily) send or receive email using a client program (Outlook express, etc). But if you've done it before, you should be able to get there again.

Check out windows Help & Support on: email browser
One topic that is listed is: Getting started with e‑mail
Others may be helpful.

BTW, your question prompted me to check. I cannot send email either... just something I've not set-up for Browser/Background-process email since I do use Outlook.

In which case, I assume that the mailto is configured wrong in the registry. If you've re-installed XP and added SP3 then IE7 may have messed with the settings that should have been configured with the installation of the AOL desktop.

Try the follow:

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/mailtoprotocol.htm

Mack

Thanks guys!!!

Under my Internet Properties -> E-Mail, the only two options on the drop-down menu are: Outlook Express or Windows Live Mail. Apparently, if you don't use one of those e-mail services, you can't directly send an e-mail.

Okay,

There is a program called default mail that shows all registered mail programs and might work if the system recognises AOL

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/defaultmail.htm

If not, and it's been a while since I installed AOL, on the tool bar of v9 was a button called settings. Click this and you should get a list of settings including 'AOL as Default' - click okay. Try this, possibility restart and it might work.

Mack

I have AOL 9.0 and looked in Settings, Mail, and everyother place I could think of to find a way to set AOL as my outgoing email provider. No luck. There's nothing like that.

I downloaded and ran the "Default Email" program from Mack (thanks), but it only allows you to select either Outlook Express or Windows Live Mail, which are the only two options available by going through Internet Options (see above).

The more we get into this, the more I'm wondering why no one has brought this up before... Everyone can't be using Outlook Express for their email.

Hi Fred,

No I'm sure people use lots of other clients. Ran a quick search and found and article that illustrates what I was saying:

http://www.support.zipform.com/zfd/KBA-01086.asp

It does seem that you should be able to set the default mailto: for Windows using AOL.

Mack

Mack --

The "ZipBogix" article would be the solution, BUT, after checking that I have AOL 9.0 SE (like in the illustration), I click on "Settings" but there are only a couple of items available (see attached screen grab) and none are "AOL as Default"...

Why would my AOL be different than others?

UPDATE --

I decided to UPGRADE (?) to AOL 9.5, so NOW I have the Settings where I can select AOL as my default email. I'll test if this works in a moment...

First, thanks again to all who made suggestions to solve my email problem!

Mack had suggested going to AOL’s “Settings” but when I tried that, my AOL 9.0 SE did not have as many options as were supposed to be there. By upgrading (?) to AOL 9.5, I now have more options under “Settings,” including the “AOL as Default” setting.

I can now report success using my “Browser” and the Action “Navigate Browser1” mailto:name@website.??? functions This worked by first starting AOL 9.5, then automatically inserting the listed email address.

I then wanted to test the new “E-Mail” option (under Actions -> Launch). This gives you more options, like having a Subject and even a Message, plus an Attachment. BUT there are problems.

First, your email provider must be ON/Running to be able to send something. AOL allows you to click “Send Later” because “Send” is grayed out (if AOL is not up and running).

Next, for some reason, OPUS has added the letters “SMPT:” in front of the email address I entered (and re-checked to make sure I typed things correctly). When you try to Send, AOL gives this error message:

The following problems occurred while processing your request:

smtp:demofred - This is not a known member.

Your mail has not been sent. Please correct the problems listed and try again

I have tried other email address with the same results using the new “E-mail” option.

Any ideas why “SMTP:” would be added to an email address?

From my understanding of it, SMTP is the protocol used to send email across IP.

Using mailto: simple treats the email address as a URL which works with SMTP to launch your client and send the message.

I'm guessing here that the way Opus interfaces through C++ with the mail user agent is what causes AOL problems. One my systems with a Outlook the process is seamless but I'll try on one of our virtual machines at the weekend what happens without such a client.

Have you tried entering an actual email with the (at) bit into the Email action?

Mack

Hi Fred,

Have you got any further? I had a look on a non Outlooked system and found that only by setting the email in IE would Opus recognise it for launching an email.

How you do this with AOL I don't know, as the set as default seems only for mailto:. But, I did find and test it under hotmail and yahoo by installing their IM clients. I believe that AOL has one called AIM but I don't know whether this would work.

On the point of using the embedded web browser, you don't need to do this for mailto: but can simply add hypertext to a normal text object.

Mack

Mack --

I can't take much "pain" so if something doesn't work -- I just don't use it. As I posted (above), the previous way I had OPUS send an email was to create a Browser Object, then using a hyperlink, a Left Mouse Click does a Browser -> Navigate , where I use the Drop-Down in Field #1 to select the Browser I previously created, then in the "Naviage to this Internet Address" I type "mailto:demofred@aol.com" (if I wanted to send email to myself).

Now that I have AOL set as my default (AOL -> Settings -> AOL Default), as long as AOL is up and running, I can access a way to send an email through the OPUS hyperlink. If AOL is not running, I get a window to create an email, but the only option available is to "Send Later". This works on my client's computers -- so I'm happy.

Yes, the E-mail feature would be nice, and easier than the multi-steps I have previously used, plus I could add a "Subject" and even start a "Message" but since somehow a prefix of SMPT is added -- it's worthless to me.

Thanks for asking.

Hi Fred,

I'm like that with DIY. Computers problems on the other hand - I enjoying solving - but in my line of work that's a good thing

I'm not entirely sure what you intent on using this for, but if it's on a personal / own machine - there might be an acceptable work around.

You can configure Outlook Express to use your AOL SMTP details and thus send email using Opus launch action with attachments and everything else. You don't have to use OE to read or manage your emails just as the server to send. By adding a BCC copy in the Opus setup you can also send a backup copy to yourself for storage and it will appear in which every client you choose for reading or managing the emails.

It's quite a simple setup really. I use the reverse idea and have a taskbar email client that reads all my accounts and displays the headings. It means that I don't have to keep outlook open and can see new email headings (subjects) filtering out the rubbish before downloading them to Outllook.

Here's a basic tutorial - just skip the bit about incoming mail if you don't want to use it.

http://www.freeemailtutorials.com/outlo ... tSetup.htm

Mack