Email: Preview vs. Opening

Preview vs. Opening

I use Outlook Express and have been told not to use the preview pane because it's the same as opening the email.

Yes or NO.

 

Yes it's the same as opening the mail. But if the mail has an attachment, it won't open the attachment. You still have to physically open the attachment.

 

tenbob,

Open OE and click on 'Tools' > 'Options' > 'Read' tab.

Clear the "Automatically download messages when viewing in the Preview Pane" check box.

A single click on the message will allow you to see the message in the 'Preview Pane' without it actually getting to the computer.

A double click on the message will download it from your server to your computer and open it in a new window.

This is my understanding, anyway, and how I have mine set up. I could be wrong and if I am, I'm sure someone will be along shortly to let us both know.

HTH


Mike

 

indutch--
This is from OE Help
"To read your messages

After Outlook Express downloads your messages, or after you click the Send/Recv button on the toolbar, you can read messages either in a separate window or in the preview pane.

Click the Inbox icon on either the Outlook bar or the Folders list.
To view the message in the preview pane, click the message in the message list.
To view the message in a separate window, double-click the message in the message list.

Notes

To view all the information about a message (such as when it was sent), on the File menu, click Properties.
To save the message in your file system, click Save as and then select a format (e-mail, text, or HTML) and a location. "

That implies that the message has been downloaded from the server when you see it listed in your Inbox. A single click versus a double-click only determines the window you see/open the message in. I never have understood the benefit of the Preview Pane and do not use it.
I hope someone will clear this up if Help is incorrect.
P.S. If I am suspicious about a message, I look at it in File|Properties|Details|Message Source.

 

Jim,

Thanks for the post but now I'm really confused. I hope some one comes along that can clear this up completely.

Now, I don't know for sure but . . . I've always thought that by having the above-mentioned box unchecked the message wasn't downloaded until you double-clicked on it.

This certainly wouldn't be the first time I was ever wrong about something. I just hope someone comes along with a clear and definitive answer, and soon. I hate giving someone the wrong advice. Especially, if it can foul things up.


Mike

 

indutch
The message is downloaded to your computer any time you view it, whether in the preview pane or in it's own window. When you uncheck that option you're supposed to be able to click on an email in the message list and it shouldn't show in the preview pane (though the message IS already downloaded). To get the message to show in the preview pane with the option unchecked, your supposed to first click on the message you want to view and then press the spacebar. Evidnently your's isn't working as it should. Don't feel bad though, that option has never worked on mine either. I've never tried to find out why. I just turned of the preview pane (a long time ago) and have never missed it.

You can find out exactly what I'm talking about by going to that page of the options, click on the question mark in the upper right corner of the window and then click on the line you're talking about.

 

tenbob,

I apologize for giving you bad skinny. I was misinformed and believed what I was told for a long time. Sorry!


Aleekat, Jim, Zander and Steve,

Thank you very much for setting the record straight. I have sent the link for this thread to the person who convinced me that he knew what he was talking about.

From here on, I'll be a bit more careful in who I choose to believe.

Boy, do I feel schtoopid!


Mike

 

tenbob

If you want to view a message still on the Server, try the Free Version of Mail Washer, or go whole Hog and get the pay program which gives more options such as miltiple Email addresses.

The Mail Washer will give you a list of emails waiting to be downloaded, from whom, text, and whether attachments or not.

 

indutch--

No need to feel that way. I know I learned from this thread. Always good to bring up an issue in question.

 

MailWasher

Mudd is right.

I've been using MailWasher for years and the Pro version since it came out. I don't know why I didn't think of this from the git-go.

Check out Firetrust's "Benign" and "First Alert ", too.

HTH


Mike