Configuring your mail reader

I recommend you use Thunderbird for your mail program. Although I support Outlook at Nevis, I don't encourage its use. Unfortunately, for technical and social reasons, the Microsoft mail readers are prone to security problems. Please consider using a non-Microsoft program instead.

Here are some items to check in your configuration:

• If you're offered a choice, use IMAP to read your mail. (The difference between IMAP and POP3 is described in a separate web page.)
• The name of the mail reader's account can be anything. I use "Nevis". The name of the account in your mail reader has nothing to do with how your mail reader connects to the mail server.
• Make sure your mail account name is <youraccount>, and your mail domain is nevis.columbia.edu. Be careful: If you're asked for your email address, it's <youraccount>@nevis.columbia.edu, If you're asked for your account name, it's just <youraccount>.
• The password for your mail account is the same as your password for the Nevis Linux cluster.
• Your IMAP, POP, and SMTP server name is all mail.nevis.columbia.edu.

  Alternate: If you wish, you may use any of the following aliases for clarity:

  imap.nevis.columbia.edu
  pop3.nevis.columbia.edu
  smtp.nevis.columbia.edu
  franklin.nevis.columbia.edu
  

• Always choose encryption for your connection; our mail server does not accept unencrypted connections.

Ports

You may see a choice of port numbers. Here's a quick summary.

If you need some more details:

You can choose 465 + SSL/TLS or 587 + STARTTLS. Always pick Normal password for the type of authentication.

If you're interested: "STARTTLS" means to negotiate a security protocol and (perhaps) use an unencrypted connection if your mail reader doesn't support one. "SSL/TLS" means that there's no negotiation: Use an encrypted connection with the TLS protocol.

There's also a mail pictorial guide if you'd like to see screenshots of what WilliamSeligman uses.