MultiMedia Installation and Setup

NetMail/3000 Menu Interface

Users Guide

To process multimedia messages on your PC, special software is required. This software is provided with NetMail/3000, and will install automatically for you once you tell it to.

To tell NetMail/3000 that you want the multimedia software installed on your PC, you need to add a special “variable” to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, somewhere before the line that invokes MS Windows (if you run Windows from your AUTOEXEC.BAT -- if not, then anywhere in the file will do). To install NetMail/3000’s multimedia software on your PC, add the following line to your AUTOEXEC.BAT :

SET NETMAILMM=C:\NETMAIL

You may substitute another drive or directory if required (C:\NETMAIL is just the recom- mended value). You must have WRITE access to this directory, as NetMail/3000 will download both executable files and some special data files to this directory, and will also create a subdirec- tory within this directory (\TEMP) to save temporary download files while processing mail. Net- Mail/3000 will automatically CREATE the directories for you if they don’t exist.

The full compliment of NetMail/3000 software downloaded to the PC takes less than 250K bytes of space; so you’ll need to ensure that you have at least this much free space available on the drive you designated for the NETMAILMM directory (above). Note though, that if you plan to do any serious multimedia processing, you’re likely to encounter some rather large files. These files get stored (at least temporarily) on the \TEMP directory within the NETMAILMM directory you defined, so be prepared for potentially large intermediate files (depending on what kind of multimedia you plan to deal with).

Now that you have the variable added to the AUTOEXEC.BAT file and have re-booted your PC so the new configuration file takes effect, you need to run Reflection, log onto the HP3000, and run NetMail/3000. You will see a notice printed on your screen that NetMail/3000 is downloading files to your PC. Following that, you will see several file download boxes painted on your screen as various files are transmitted from the HP3000 down to your PC. The amount of time this takes depends on how fast your link to the HP3000 is; over a low-speed modem, this download process may take quite a while (several minutes), while users connected over a local area network using VTMGR then the whole process can only take a few seconds.

The downloads may take a little while, but they ONLY occur once. After that, NetMail/ 3000 detects that the software is already installed and simply invokes it.

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NetMail/3000 specifications

HP NetMail/3000 was a pioneering messaging system designed primarily for the Hewlett-Packard 3000 series of computers. This innovative email system became popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s, providing users with a robust platform for electronic communication, data sharing, and collaboration within organizations.

One of the key features of HP NetMail/3000 was its user-friendly interface, which allowed even less technical users to navigate and utilize its capabilities effectively. The system supported a wide array of email functionalities, including sending and receiving messages, creating distribution lists, and managing folders. Users could also attach files effortlessly, making it easy to share documents and other resources.

Underlying the HP NetMail/3000 system was a set of advanced technologies that enabled its robust performance. Built on the MPE/iX operating system, it leveraged the strengths of HP’s proprietary architecture. The system utilized a client-server model, allowing multiple users to access their emails simultaneously without degradation in performance. This architecture also facilitated easier management of the mail server, as system administrators could perform tasks such as backups and upgrades without disrupting user access.

Another remarkable characteristic of HP NetMail/3000 was its integration capabilities with other applications. The messaging system could seamlessly connect with various data management systems, enabling users to pull in data and automate workflows. This integration made it possible to create dynamic email notifications based on database events and streamline business processes.

Security was also a focal point for HP NetMail/3000. The system supported user authentication, ensuring that only authorized personnel could access sensitive information. Furthermore, messages could be encrypted, protecting the privacy of the communications exchanged over the network.

In terms of storage, HP NetMail/3000 offered significant capabilities to manage large volumes of email data. Users could organize their messages efficiently, archiving important communications while maintaining quick access to frequently used emails.

Despite its eventual decline with the rise of more modern email platforms, HP NetMail/3000 was a crucial stepping stone in the evolution of electronic mail systems. Its features, performance, and integration capabilities helped lay the groundwork for the sophisticated communication tools we use today. The legacy of HP NetMail/3000 endures as an important chapter in the history of digital communication.