3. Composing a Message

Figure 8.5. The Message-Compose Window

The Message-Compose Window

Toolbar. This is where the main composition buttons reside. See Table 8.2, “Message-Composition Toolbar Buttons”

Message Body. The area where you will type the contents of your message.

Message Recipients. The list of all recipients of this message. By default, the following options are shown:

[Tip]Tip

Select View->BCC from the menu to show the BCC (Blind Carbon Copy) field. These recipients are also “secondary” but are hidden from the other recipients of this message. No recipients of the message will have access to the other mail addresses to which this message was sent.

The following table shows the buttons which are mostly used in the message-composition window, their equivalent keyboard shortcuts and a brief explanation of the functions they provide.

Table 8.2. Message-Composition Toolbar Buttons

ButtonKeyboard ShortcutFunction
Ctrl-Enter

Sends the message immediately (your network connection must be active). A copy of the message will be kept in the sent-mail folder.

 

Queue the message. The message will be saved in the outbox folder and will be sent the next time you request mail to be sent (File->Send Queued Messages).

 

Attach a file to the message. This function is also accessible through the Attach->Attach File menu. A standard file dialog will pop up. Select the file you want to attach and click on OK. Repeat for multiple files.