Using MAPI to email Notes while offline on my laptop 1

[stephen1c]

I'm trying to configure Notes (v5.0.11) to allow me to create an email using MAPI from another application offline so that when I return to my office, I can connect my laptop to a phone line and 'send'.

I only seem to be able to use the MAPI when I'm connected online

Any advice appreciated please

Stephen

 

[pmonett]

With Notes you normally set your Location to Island (disconnected), at which point a local postbox is created. When you switch back to Office and replicate, whatever mail you have sent while offline is sent at that time.
Why do you need a different application to do this ? Is your Notes set up properly ?

Pascal.

 

[stephen1c]

Thanks Pascal, I've tried setting it to 'Island' but when I try to send a file I get an error message 'File does not exist: mail\scordner.nsf'

Basically, after compiling a report, I'm creating a compressed pdf file using pdfFactory and then pressing the 'Send' button to send it to Notes (using MAPI) which is of course off-line at that moment. Then when I get to my home / office I can go online and send and recieve. This works great with Outlook with the email sitting in the 'Outbox' waiting for me to connect, but my employer insists (understandably) I use Notes. I didn't install Notes so I cant say if it is set up correctly, plus I am a relatively new user to it.

I'm also trialing this method for many of my colleagues so I want to get it right.

Stephen

 

[pmonett]

In my opinion what should be gotten right is your Notes install.
Apparently, your mail file is not replicated locally, or it is not properly referenced in your Island location. Once that is corrected, you should be able to create the postbox and use it as per normal.
If your boss is insisting on the use of Notes, then it seems normal that he also provides a workable Notes environment. Call the helpdesk, and get your boss's support. After all, you're only trying to obey orders, right ?

Pascal.

 

[stephen1c]

Thanks Pascal, but I know that Notes replicates fine and has done for the past 2-3 years, though I agree that the 'Island' setting needs to be fine tuned.

Can you tell me exactly what changes need to be made to the installation please and if I can do it myself without involving IT?

Stephen

 

[pmonett]

In your local Address Book you should look up your Location in the Advanced section.
Once you have opened the location, click on the Mail tab and ensure that the path to your local mail file is correct. Also, check that the "Send outgoing mail" field is set to 'Domino Server". I guess the rest of the fields can stay as they are.
Save your Location document, and quit Notes, then restart it. If all is well, Notes should notify you that it is creating an Outgoing Mailbox, where it will store your sent mail until you reconnect to the server.

Keep posting until we get it right.

Happy New Year,

Pascal.

 

[stephen1c]

I'm not sure I fully understand Pascal. What I've done is -

1 Opened my Address Book, then VIEW | ADVANCED | LOCATIONS
2 I then double clicked to open ISLAND (DISCONNECTED) and selected the MAIL tab

This is where I get stuck as I'm not sure what you mean by 'ensure that the path to your local mail file is correct'? The settings are;

Mail file location: Local
Mail file: mail\scordner
...
...
...
Send outgoing mail: through Domino Server

Thanks for your help so far

Stephen

 

[pmonett]

So the question is, is your mail file located in the mail subdirectory of your Notes client data directory, and is its name scordner.nsf ?

If you are not sure where your Notes data directory is, check the Notes.ini file for the relevant entry.

Pascal.

 

[stephen1c]

I've checked and scordner.nsf is situated inside C:\Lotus\Notes\Data

I dont know if it helps Pascal, but the sequence of error messages are -

Lotus Notes
--------------
File does not exist: mail\scordner.nsf
OK

Lotus Notes MailMan Error
---------------------------
Notes Error - File does not exist
OK

pdfFactory
-----------
An error occured in Windows (MAPI SendMail failed) return code 2
OK

The strange thing is that MAPI worked when I had it set for Outlook Express in that it opened a new message without problem. It also worked on the company Intranet site opening a new message in Notes after I clicked on the 'Contact Us' link.

Stephen

 

[pmonett]

If your local mail file is directly in the Notes Data directory, then you need to remove mail/ from the file path to get it to work (normally).

Pascal.

 

[stephen1c]

Sorry to be a pain Pascal, but could you please tell me exactly what changes to make and where - I'm frightened of mucking up my system.

Stephen

 

[pmonett]

In your local NAB, open the location document and, under the Mail tab, make the FilePath field contain the name of your mail file.

Pascal.

 

[stephen1c]

Thats brilliant Pascal, many thanks for sorting this. I've just made the adjustments and it appears to be working fine. Really appreciate your help with the problem.

Best wishes

Stephen

 

[pmonett]

Glad to be of help.

Pascal.