@Mail Frequently Asked Questions

@Mail Web Email System Documentation
The latest version of this file can be found at:
http://webbasedemail.com/docs

@Mail Server Frequently Asked Questions

1. Background
    1.1 What is @Mail?
    1.2 Why was @Mail created?
    1.3 Why the name "@Mail"?
    1.4 How does @Mail compare to other servers?
    1.5 How thoroughly tested is @Mail?
    1.6 What are the future plans for @Mail?
    1.7 Whom do I contact for support?
    1.8 Is there any more information on @Mail?
    1.9 Where can I purchase @Mail?
    1.10 Who is develops @Mail?
    1.11 Can I get a demo version of @Mail?

2. General Technical Questions
    2.1 What Hardware does @Mail require?
    2.2 How much harddisk space do I require?
    2.3 What to do if I have problems getting @Mail Setup?
    2.4 How compatible is @Mail with my existing webserver setup?
    2.5 Is @Mail compatible with sendmail 8.9.3? Are there any compatibility issues?
    2.6 Is @Mail compatible with Apache web server? What versions is it tested with?
    2.7 What does @Mail use to read emails?
    2.8 Does the software require cron or crontab?
    2.9 How do I submit a patch to the @Mail Group?
    2.10 May I include the @Mail software on a CD or other package I'm distributing?
    2.11 How do I get the most out of my @Mail server?

3. Installing @Mail
    3.1 What do I need for @Mail to run?
        3.1.1What modules do I need for @Mail to run? And where do I get them?
    3.2 Can you remotely install the software for me?
    3.3 Does @Mail run under win dows platforms?
    3.4 What MTA does @Mail support?
    3.5 How to I configure sendmail?
    3.6 How to I configure my WebServer?

4. @Mail Feature Questions
    4.1 How do I setup Email to SMS gateways under @Mail?
    4.2 Advantages using an SQL database to store user emails
    4.3 Which languages are supported?
          Can it be modified to support another language?
    4.4 Can we use our own branding and remove '@Mail' in the script and pages?
    4.5How do I modify the user-interface of @Mail to suit the design of my website?
    4.6 Can I disable the frames
    4.7 What does the full site license include?
    4.8 Do we have to buy any plug-ins?
    4.9 Can we send Email messages to mobile phone?
    4.10 Does @Mail work with MTA's other then sendmail?
    4.11 Does @Mail run under Virtual Servers?
    4.12 Does @Mail support large user bases?

5. Configuration Questions
    5.1 How do I configure @Mail to host multiple domain-names for WebEmail?
    5.2 What is the error 'xxx not available for sendmail programs'?
    5.3 Can I use an external SMTP server to send Email?
    5.4 What browser should I use with @Mail?
    5.5 Why does @Mail send a cookie on every response?
    5.6 Does @Mail support SSL?

1. Background

1.1 What is @Mail?

@Mail is the total WebEmail solution. Server driven, it allows users to read and compose Emails via a webbrowser or access Email accounts via POP3 or IMAP. Users have the ability to sign-up for a new account and have it activated instantly, on the administers selection of domains. Users can also access Email via the WAP protocol on Mobile phones or PDA's or have basis account information sent via SMS.

Written in 1998, the @Mail software has been completely rewritten by a growing international technical team, and now supports a new release based on client feedback every three months.

1.2 Why was @Mail created?

70% of all connections to the Internet are primarily to check eMail. Web or POP3/IMAP Email is an important aspect for ISP's, businesses, Educational institutions or website as a way to attract users or manage internal accounts. In 1998 we saw a lack of quality and customizable web Email programs, hence the creation of @Mail. Since then we have endeavored to offer a open source program that is based on client feedback and latest technologies.

1.3 Why the name "@Mail"?

The name was given by the team who developed the software; AT MAIL describes the nature of the software, and hey, it gets rated first in alphabetic search engines ;-)

1.4 How does @Mail compare to other servers?

@Mail has been shown to be substantially faster than many other WebEmail servers. @Mail is currently supporting sites that generate millions of hits per week, and they have experienced no performance difficulties. Also, @Mail is full source code, allowing clients to modify features as required.

1.5 How thoroughly tested is @Mail?

@Mail is used by many large ISP's, Governments and Corporations worldwide. Millions of people have active Email accounts which are hosted by the @Mail system, each day the userbase of the software grows. The software has been tested thoroughly by both developers and users. The @Mail Group works closely with users of the software, we are always busy implementing new features and functionality to the software on our clients requests. When bugs do show up, we release patches and new versions as soon as they are available.

1.6 What are the future plans for @Mail?

To continue to be a full-source code product to keep up with advances in HTML/DHTML and web developments in general, to collect suggestions for fixes/improvements from its users, to respond to needs of large volume providers as well as occasional users. To grow the @Mail user base to >10 million users who has a registered account with the system To integrate WAP support in the system, allowing users to send and receive emails using their Mobile Phone

1.7 Who do I contact for support?

Clients of @Mail receive technical support for the software by the original developers - The team is available via Email at info@CalaCode.com, and can be contacted via telephone or real-time chat on request. Clients who have questions regarding installation and configuration should first consult the online documentation available at http://atmail.nl/docs/ before consulting the @Mail team via Email - Due to the popularity and large userbase of our software, we are constantly swamped with requests via Email, however try to respond within 12-24 hours.

1.8 Where is there any more information available on @Mail?

See the main @Mail web site for a demonstration of the system
Documentation is available at http://atmail.nl/docs/
Product download/pricing information can be found at https://netbasedsoftware.com/atmail/

1.9 Where can I purchase @Mail?

You can find out how to download the source for @Mail at the Purchase Page.

1.10 Who develops @Mail?

CalaCode are the providers of the @Mail software. The company started off as 'CGIsupport' , with a head office in Sydney Australia. As the company grew, management changed hands and is now an international organization.

1.11 Can I have a demo version of @Mail?

Presently we can offer you the fully functional demo on our website, at www.webbasedemail.com Here you can test the @Mail program to see its capabilities, and find out how @Mail would benefit your business. If you would like to see how other companies have used @Mail you could visit our client site.

2. General Technical Questions

2.1 Which Hardware do I require: CPU, harddisk, memory etc.

@Mail will run under any operation system that supports Perl 5 and that is configured with a webserver. We recommend that you use a Pentium II 500mhz+ with 64 or more MB ram, and 6gig + harddrive to store emails. If the option is available, we recommend you use a Linux server, and Mod-Perl, because it is more reliable for the system and has the power to run @Mail at its full capacity.

2.2 How much harddrive space do I need?

That all depends on how much mail is stored by your clients. Because you have the power to adapt @Mail to your needs, you can restrict your customers in how many emails they keep. Therefore the space needed is flexible to suit your hard-drives capacity! The formula is as follows:

number of users x user quota = hard disk space required for @Mail

2.3 What can I do in case of problems

If you are having trouble with your @Mail server software, you should take the following steps:

Check your webservers errorlog.

@Mail tries to be helpful when it encounters a problem. In many cases, it will provide some details by writing one or messages to the webservers error log. Sometimes this is enough for you to diagnose and & fix the problem yourself (such as file permissions or the like). The default location of the error log is /usr/local/apache/logs/error_log, but see the ErrorLog directive in your webservers config files for the location on your server, or check out the Admin.

Check the FAQ.

The latest version of the @Mail Frequently-Asked Questions list can always be found at the main @Mail web site.

Check the @Mail bug database

Most problems that get reported to The @Mail Group are recorded in the bug database. Please check the existing reports, open and closed, before adding one. Users of the software are encouraged to report any problems they experience using the software by submitting a report via the bug database.

Email the developers of the software

A lot of common problems are addressed in the @Mail Online Documentation and FAQ - The developers are available via Email at info@calacode.com but we ask you to first consult the online documentation before contacting us as your question may already be answered.

2.4 How compatible is @Mail with my existing webserver setup?

@Mail attempts to offer all the features and configuration options under any HTTP WebServer. The software was developed under the Apache WebServer and is our choice HTTP-Server for use with the @Mail system. The @Mail software can be used under any webserver that supports CGI script execution.

2.5 Is @Mail compatible with sendmail 8+? Are there any known compatibility issues?

Any version of Sendmail will comply, however we recommend using the more recent versions for @Mail to run at its full potential. @Mail supports other Mail Transport Agents, although we prefer the use of sendmail to send/receive Email

2.6 Is @Mail fully compatible with Apache web server? What versions has it been tested with?

@Mail is completely compatible and tested to run with Apache; infact we recommend using this over other web servers. Although @Mail will work on any version, we again recommend using the newer versions for maximum reliability.

2.7 What does @Mail use to read emails?

@Mail works using an SMTP agent to receive emails for your domainname. This allows @Mail to internally receive user emails, which can be stored in an SQL database server or flat text file for later retrieval. @Mail also has the ability to read external POP3 accounts on the Internet.

2.8 Does the software require Cron or Crontab?

@Mail does not require cron or crontab to run, although you can choose to run a cron job each day to update the portal-information on the users startpage (the news/informational services).

2.9 How do I submit a patch to the @Mail Group?

The @Mail Group encourages patches from outside developers. There are 2 main "types" of patches: small bugfixes and general improvements. Bugfixes should be submitting using the @Mail bug report page. Improvements, modifications, and additions should follow the instructions below.

To submit your patch, send Email to info@calacode.com with a Subject: line that starts with [PATCH] and includes a general description of the patch. In the body of the message, the patch should be clearly described and then included at the end of the message. If the patch-file is long, you can note a URL to the file instead of the file itself. Use of MIME enclosures/attachments should be avoided.

2.10 May I include the @Mail software on a CD or other package I'm distributing?

No, Not without written permission from CalaCode. The @Mail software is copyright Calacode.com and may not be repackaged and sold in any other form. We do offer an attractive reseller agreement, please contact us for more information.

2.11 How do I get the most out of my @Mail Web server?

3. Installing @Mail

3.1 What do I need for @Mail to run?

@Mail is written 100% in pure Perl. This allows you to run the application on any system which supports Perl5. @Mail has been successfully installed under Linux, FreeBSD, Sun Solaris, Irix, LinuxPPC for Macintosh, Windows 2000/XP systems.

Although for the correct operation of @Mail the system depends on a HTTP-WebServer and a SMTP mail-delivery agent. We recommend running the @Mail service under a Unix machine with the Apache webserver and for the Email delivery we suggest you use the popular sendmail daemon available at www.sendmail.org

3.1.1 What modules do I need for @Mail to run? And where do I get them?

@Mail requires 3rd party-modules for SQL database access, URL parsing, POP3 fetching & Misc modules for Date/Time manipulation. The base modules for @Mail to operate are included in the atmail/libs directory. If your system has a correctly installed version of Perl5 there will be no need to configure additional modules for your system.

@Mail requires the following modules for correct operation:

Module Name	Use + Description
Net::POP3	Used to interface with POP3 servers to access Email remotely
Net::SMTP	For SMTP server communications ; used to send Email to remote SMTP servers
Mail::Internet	A module to decode Email Headers + Body's
Time::CTime	For reading Email dates
Time::ParseDate	Used to convert dates into different formats
CGI	Common module for CGI programming
DBI	A module for SQL database communication ; this module acts as a common interface for all SQL database server types. You need to install the relevant DBD::databasename module, where databasename is the type of SQL server installed on the machine. mySQL, Oracle, Sybase, and ODBC are supported just to name a few
FinBin	Used to find the CWD of the directory
LWP	A module to communicating with HTTP servers
URI::URI	Used to parse URI's and decode them into the appropriate strings

If @Mail reports an error that 'XXX module could not be loaded, @INC path is ...' you need to visit the CPAN website to download the modules missing on your system. Once you have download the required module from CPAN, simply uncompress the archive and:

Perl Makefile.PL; make ; make test ; make install

This will make the module for your system and install it into the library path for Perl5

3.2 Can you remotely install the software for me?

We are happy to install @Mail remotely for you when you purchase the latest @Mail Pro and above. Please visit https://netbasedsoftware.com/install/ for a secure place to send server details.

The @Mail team can remotely telnet to your Unix server and configure the software via a terminal. For Windows users we prefer to use VNCviewer for remote installations.

3.3 Does @Mail run under Windows Platforms?

Yes, @Mail has included support for Windows Platforms. The @Mail system runs under Windows 2000 / XP . For the operation, @Mail requires a HTTP webserver and If you wish to use @Mail to sign-up new users using an email address at your domain, the software requires a Mail Transport Agent (MTA) to deliver the Email

We recommend the following setup under Windows Platforms

Use Apache as your HTTP Web-Server (IIS is supported, but we recommend Apache) Sendmail acting as the SMTP Daemon Use the windows-port of MySQL as the mail-database backend Install the latest version of Perl5

3.4 What MTA does @Mail support?

@Mail supports any Mail Transport Agent which can pipe incoming emails for the domainname to an external binary. We have tested and configured @Mail on the following MTA's

Sendmail (Unix, Windows) Exim (Unix, Windows) SMTPd (Unix) Postfix (Unix)

@Mail depends on an external SMTP daemon to deliver user-emails to the system; standalone @Mail can read any external POP3/Imapd account on the Internet without the need of an MTA to be configured on the server that @Mail runs.

3.5 How do I configure sendmail?

Click here

3.6 How do I configure my WebServer to execute @Mail?

@Mail requires your webserver to execute .pl files as CGI-scripts and to allow CGI scripts to be executed in the @Mail directory. To persuade Apache to execute scripts you must tell it how to recognize them - and also that it's okay to execute them. For this, you need to use something like the AddHandler directive in the Apache configuration.

AddHandler cgi-script .pl

The server will then recognize that all files in that location (and its logical descendants) that end in ".pl" are script files, not documents.

Options

ExecCGI

For further information on how to setup the Webserver to execute @Mail read Step2 of the Installation Documentation

4. @Mail Feature Questions

4.1 How do I setup Email to SMS gateways under @Mail?

@Mail allows you to setup gateways to deliver Email-reports to users mobiles via SMS messages. The @Mail server can be configured to send the headers of Email messages to your mobile phone, alerting you of incoming Email The software can be configured to only forward a specific type of message to your mobile phone; allowing you to configure the service to send you emergency notification of events happening on the Internet.

For the delivery of Email to mobile-phones, @Mail can be configured in two different ways. Either by connecting a mobile-phone directly to the @Mail server; or forwarding messages via the Internet to the @Mail SMS node. Both steps are explained in detail below

info@CGIsupport.com

4.2 Advantages using an SQL database to store user emails

Firstly, you should consider how large a userbase you want to support. If you wish to use @Mail to host a large number of active user-accounts it is highly recommended you use an SQL database server to store all incoming Email By using SQL, @Mail can access user emails with ease and speed. The performance is dramatically increased and allows 'multi-serving' of the WebEmail service. The @Mail software can be setup on multiple machines which all distribute the load of the system.

Recommended Setup for large sites
Use a Unix Server to host the core SQL database; using a fast/stable/free SQL database server like mySQL to store all incoming emails for user accounts. The machine should be setup for the task of maintaining the SQL database server, do not use the machine to run any other services. Setup 1+ Linux machines with a stripped-down kernel especially for the task of http-serving. Load @Mail onto the server and configure the software to communicate with the SQL database server to access user emails. @Mail allows you to distribute the load over multiple machines, insuring a reliable Email service for users.

4.3 Which languages can it support? Can it be modified to support another language?

@Mail has been translated into many languages, please Email us . @Mail has been designed on a multilingual template so that conversion to the language that best suits you is quite possible. Since the source-code and HTML files are separated, all that needs to be done is to translate the Language file. We are constantly looking for people to translate @Mail into other languages, and we welcome you to do this. In returns we will may give you a discount on the price of the @Mail you have purchased.

For more information about translating @Mail, please see our Translation Guide

4.4 Can we use our own branding and remove '@Mail' in the script and pages?

We understand that your Email-service should be a reflection of your company, so using your own branding is important. Once you have customized the program, you can have your personal headers and html, thus deleting any @Mail references. Although we encourage you to place the following notice on your front-login screen

WebEmail System Developed by CalaCode.com

4.5 How do I modify the user-interface of @Mail to suit the design of my website?

Since @Mail includes the Full Source Code you can modify any element of the software to suite the design of your website, or clients project. We have designed the system on the idea of HTML-templates, the entire user-interface of @Mail can be easily changed by modifying the content of the files located in @Mail/html directory, or for quick interface customization, use the Branding feature in the @Mail Admin. The WebEmail system support multi-language, view the html directory in the base installation directory for further information.

If you would like us to customize it for you, simply Email us with the exact details of what you would like to be changed, and we will reply with a quote for the modification.

4.6 Can I disable the frames?

One of the best features of @Mail is that the source code is provided. Therefore you have the options to modify the system to best suit your needs. So if you wish for your clients to have non-frame options, then this is possible. It is fairly simple to change the output, you will need to work with HTML, however if you have any problems doing this, then please contact us and we will assist you.

Again, if you would like us to customize it for you, simply Email us with the exact details of what you would like to be changed, and we will reply with a quote for the modification.

4.7 What does the full site license include?

@Mail Corporate includes the full site license, you can configure the software to run with as many domain names as you like. However, the license is only valid for your own company. If you are interested in reselling the @Mail program to your clients, you will need to purchase individual licenses. We offer an attractive reseller agreement.

4.8 Do we have to buy any plug-ins?

No, when you download @Mail you receive the entire package, as specified on our website. Users of @Mail Pro and above are also entitled to future versions, upgrades and patches when they are released, so you can always have the latest webbased Email service for your business.

4.9 Can we send Email messages to mobile phones.

Currently @Mail supports SMS messaging to mobile-phones; when users receive Email for their account, the system can be configured to send the message direct to the users mobile phone. We have also programmed support for users to compose emails on their phone, and send them via the net.

@Mail WAP allows Email access via any device that supports the WAP protocol, such as mobile phones or PDA's. With the use of these two services, you can use the newest way of communication and promote your Email-service above the crowd.

4.10Does @Mail work with MTA's other then sendmail?

@Mail can operate under any MTA which can divert all incoming Email for a domainname to an external binary. We have successfully used Qmail and SMTPd under Unix to configure the @Mail service. Running under Windows Platforms users can choose to use Sendmail, configuration is the same as the Unix versions.

We recommend the use of EXIM under both UNIX and Windows

4.11 Does @Mail run under Virtual Servers?

Running under a Virtual Server @Mail can be easily configured to send/receive Email Depending on the level of features your Virtual Server has, you may need to ask your provider to modify the sendmail configuration file to divert all Email to the @Mail saveemail.pl script. Users of @Mail Pro are entitled for remote-installation by the @Mail Team, Email info@CGIsupport.com and one of our technical staff can install @Mail on your Virtual Server.

4.12 Does @Mail support large user bases?

@Mail heavily depends on the hardware of the server : When using @Mail for a user base over 50 000 we recommend using more than one server, For more information please see The Install Guide and the Large Userbase Information .

5. Configuration Questions

5.1 How do I configure @Mail to host multiple domain-names for WebEmail?

webadmin control panel

5.2 What is the error 'xxx not available for sendmail programs?'

provided /etc/smrsh is really the directory that your version of smrsh uses, of course, otherwise replace with the proper one

5.3 Can I use an external SMTP server to send Email?

be sure that you have permissions to relay Email via the server first.

webadmin control

5.4 What browser should I use with @Mail?

Any browser which supports frames can use @Mail Although to use some of the advanced feature of @Mail we recommend you have a recent webbrowser such as IE4/5 or Netscape 6 and above. Since @Mail uses Javascript and DHTML to spice up the user-interface it is required to use a recent browser to take advantage of these features.

Note: New versions of Netscape can cause some problems with @Mail in particular the HTML editor. We are not able to solve these problems as its to do with the integration with netscape from their end.. Please contact the staff for more information. Recent surveys found that 70% of internet users use Internet Explorer so most of your users will not be affected. As Netscape increases it's DHTML support, we will inform all @Mail administrators.

5.5 Why does @Mail send a cookie on every request?

To keep track of user authentication, @Mail uses cookies to save user login details. Since @Mail depends on cookies you must use a webbrowser which supports them ; be sure your browser is configured to accept cookies before using @Mail. On each request the browser sends a cookie which contains user-login information and a unique SessionID verifies user-login details.

5.6 Does @Mail support SSL?

Yes, using SSL with @Mail is highly recommended for security reasons. Since the web-server is the upper-layer, @Mail needs no extra modification to run in SSL mode. Simply setup an SSL WebServer (ApacheSSL is recommended) and move the atmail directory into the DocumentRoot of the SSL webserver. SSL @Mail is now enable