Bob E-Mail: How to Read and Understand E-mail Addresses
  
PSS ID Number: Q134368
Article last modified on 08-11-1995
 
1.00
 
WINDOWS
 

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The information in this article applies to:
 
 - Microsoft Bob version 1.0
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SUMMARY
=======
 
This article provides basic guidelines for reading or breaking-down
electronic mail (e-mail) addresses.
 
MORE INFORMATION
================
 
Electronic mail addresses consist of two parts. The first part is the
person the mail is sent to (the addressee); the second is the mail service
provider.
 
A service provider is the company that the electronic mail is sent to. The
provider stores the mail until it is requested by the addressee. An example
of a commercial service provider is MCI Mail. A company or university may
also act as a provider. To do this, the company or university purchases an
Internet address of their own. Because of the cost and availability
addresses, generally only large companies or universities have their own
Internet address.
 
The following is a list of guidelines for electronic mail addresses:
 
1. An address can contain comments. If the address does contain comments,
   the actual address will be contained in greater than and less than
   signs. An example of this would be:
 
      "This is a comment <bill@company.com>"
 
   The actual address is bill@company.com.
 
2. Addresses are split into two parts. The dividing character is the "@"
   (pronounced "at") sign. To the left of the @ sign is the addressee.
 
   For example, in guideline 1, above, "bill" is the name to the left of
   the @. "Bill" is the person the mail is sent to, and Bill's electronic
   mail name is "bill".
 
   Electronic mail names can consist a person's name. For example, Joe
   Smith may have the electronic mail name of Joesmith or Joes or Jsmith.
   Some people use a code, or nicknames to remain anonymous.
 
3. The first portion of the address may also contain special characters
   that are used to specify or subdivide individual locations under that
   provider.
 
   For example, in the address: "joesmith%computer@company.com", the
   electronic mail name is "joesmith", the location is "computer" and the
   service provider or company is "company.com". The percent symbol is
   generally used for this purpose, however, other characters such as an
   underline(_) can be used. Spaces are never used in an electronic mail
   address.
 
4. The second portion of the address designates the service provider. This
   corresponds with an Internet Address. The provider can choose the name.
   The extension on the end of the name designates the type of provider.
   Generally, businesses use a .com extension, colleges use an .edu
   extension, and government agencies use .gov.
 
5. The mail address may start with "netmail!". Generally, this is
   used when the person's electronic mail address specifies an individual
   location under the service provider or company as pointed out in
   guideline 3.
 
   Most of the time, when a piece of electronic mail is sent the service
   provider is located, and then the addressee is located. If the addressee
   isn't found, the electronic mail is sent to the service provider. Then,
   if the provider can't be found, the sender receives a message that the
   mail couldn't be delivered.
 
   Sometimes it is impossible to locate the individual location as shown in
   example 3. To fix this problem add the word "netmail!" to the beginning
   of the electronic mail address (but not the comment, if one). This tells
   the sending computer to only find the service provider, then send the
   electronic mail. This allows the service provider to send the electronic
   mail to the proper location.
 
Category: Kbusage
KBSubcategory: B_Mailroom
 
Additional reference words: w_bob 1.00 IP i.p. email e-mail net
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Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1995.