NetMail/3000 Menu Interface

Users Guide

MultiMedia Operation

Once you have set up the multimedia functions in NetMail/3000, you are ready to process messages with multimedia attachments. Of course, you might just be asking, “just what IS multi- media?” and “what would I use that for?” Both are good questions, and a good understanding of the answers could radically change the way you work with electronic mail.

Multimedia means “more than one media.” Electronic mail has traditionally been written letters (or characters). When you sent electronic mail, you could send written correspondence but nothing else. In recent years though, computer hardware and software have brought new means of communicating ideas and information. Most of us have seen modern PCs display dazzling graph- ics in many colors, spreadsheets, and perhaps even moving pictures (animation). Even sound is now a common feature on PCs, as units often come with built in speakers and microphones.

While the idea that a PC could present graphics or even play recorded sound are not new, the idea of capturing those “multimedia segments” and sending them to another user by simply “attaching” them to an electronic mail message is an idea which has only recently become a real- ity. Through the new electronic mail standards, now such segments can be sent not only among users of the same computer systems, but among a wide variety of disparate systems (in fact, among any MIME Standard compatible mail systems). NetMail/3000 is such a system, and allows both the attaching of such segments as well as their display (though NetMail/3000 depends on software on the PC to actually process the segments). In addition, many of the standard multime- dia file types can be handled by software which comes with Microsoft Windows. For example, Windows Paintbrush can handle some graphics files, Windows Write can process .WRI files, and the Sound recorder can handle .WAV files if you don’t have another sound player installed.

“Standard” HP terminals have no sound capability, and most in fact have no graphical dis- play capability (those that do aren’t compatible with any standards anyway). To process multime- dia segments then, features of the PC running an HP terminal emulator are utilized. The software to transfer the segments from the HP3000 mail system to the PC and the software which selects and launches PC-based applications to display the multimedia segments are provided with Net- Mail/3000.

NetMail/3000 automatically detects multimedia attachments within messages in your mailbox. When you read a message which contains a multimedia segment (at least one which your PC is capable of displaying) NetMail/3000 will automatically extract the segment from the message and transmit it to your PC. Once there, NetMail/3000 software on your PC looks up the application that handles that type of file and launches the application for you, with the multimedia segment already loaded. The list of file types your PC can handle, and the applications that handle them can be customized by the user, and instructions on how to do this are described in the next section.

There are a few options you can set within NetMail/3000 to control how multimedia attachments are handled. First of all, you have the option of selecting whether you want to auto- matically download and view multimedia message attachments, or whether you prefer to be asked first. Set the AUTOMM value in NetMail/3000 either ON or OFF -- ON causes attachments to be

2-93

Page 92 Page 94
Page 93
Image 93
HP NetMail/3000 manual MultiMedia Operation
Page 92 Page 94

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.
Top Page Image Contents