Database Reference
In-Depth Information
POWER USERS' CLINIC: TWO WAYS TO SEND MAIL
The first option in the Send Mail Options window (see Figure 11-15 ) is “Send via,” and it
gives you two options, letting you either use or bypass the email program on your computer:
▪ Choose E-mail Client to send the message using your email program. If you turn on
“Perform without dialog” for the Send Mail script step, then the message goes directly
into your mail program's outbox, and that program sends it the next time the send/re-
ceive mail process runs (which is automatic in most mail programs). If you leave “Per-
form without dialog” off, then the message goes into the Drafts folder instead.
FileMaker also opens it up and switches to your mail program. This way, you get a
chance to double-check the message and edit it as needed before you send it.
▪ Choose SMTP Server to send the message through your mail server. In other words,
you're asking FileMaker to bypass your email program and go straight to the network
post office. You have to put in information about your mail server, including its network
address and any user name and password it requires. This configuration has no “Perform
without dialog” option, so you can't edit the message before FileMaker sends it off, and
it doesn't show up in your Sent mail folder.
Under most circumstances, you'll probably stick with the E-mail Client option. It's easier to
use (because you don't need to put in mail server settings). It's also more flexible since you
can edit the message. Finally, you get a record of the emails you've sent from your Sent mail
folder.
But sometimes the E-mail Client option isn't a good choice. Sometimes you have a script
that runs on the FileMaker Server (you'll learn about that in Chapter 19 ) or on a shared com-
puter that has no email client. In a case like that, you're better off going straight to the server
so you don't have to set up and manage a mail program.
Also, when you use the SMTP Server option, you get to specify the From name and address.
If the message comes from your email client, then it comes from you. But what if you're
sending shipment notifications for your company? You may want the messages to come
from orders@mycompany.com , or some other shared address instead. In a case like this, you
can use the SMTP Server option, and everybody in the office can send email from the same
account through FileMaker.
Finally, if you're sending lots of email, it can be faster and more reliable to send messages
directly to the mail server (after all, its job is to send lots of email).
As a general rule, it's fine to use the E-mail Client option unless you need the increased
power (and hassle) of the SMTP Server option.
7. From the Button 2 box, select and then delete the word “Cancel.”
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