How do I access my Exchange/Outlook Email via the Web?

Outlook Web Access is designed to work with any browser that supports HTML version 3.2 and JavaScript. However, using a browser other than IE (Netscape, Mozilla, etc.) or IE versions older than Internet Explorer 5.0 minimize the use of client-side scripting and thus cannot provide the same functionality as Internet Explorer 5.0 and up. For example, they do not support drag-and-drop editing or native Kerberos authentication. To take full advantage of Outlook Web Access features, use Internet Explorer 5.0 or newer.

Note: Kerberos authentication can be used only with Internet Explorer 5.0 or newer and Windows 2000. (Kerberos is a network authentication protocol. It is designed to provide strong authentication for client/server applications by using secret-key cryptography.)

These instructions only apply to mailboxes on Thuja in the Forestry domain.

To access your mail via Exchange Webmail you will need to:

1. Establish your Internet connection
   
2. Start your Internet browser (ie. Netscape 3.0, Internet Explorer 3.0)
   
3. Point your Internet browser to https://exmail.oregonstate.edu/exchange/

4. At the Log On box enter Forestry\{your user name}, then press the TAB key and enter your password. Your user name is usually the first seven letters of your last name and your first initial (or your entire last name and first initial of your first name if your last name is less than seven letters).

   

Welcome to Exchange! Find out how to use the web interface below.

How do I use the Web Exchange interface?

All of the basic commands which exist in Exchange, also exist in the web interface. You can send and receive mail, check a global address book, view public folders, and even set an out of office assistant. You can also view your contacts but your contact list is not the same as your personal address book.

You cannot, however, view your personal address book or set up any rules while in the web interface.

Here is an overview of some of the basic commands available to you. More detailed instructions can be accessed through the question mark icon in the upper right hand part of the browser.

Inbox Returns you to your inbox. Calendar Takes you to the calendar interface where you can compose a new appointment, meeting request, or a mail message just by using the buttons in upper left hand corner or by using the drop down menu available at the right. Contacts Presents you with the first page of your Contacts list (First and Last Name, Company, Business Phone, and E-Mail. Clicking on the underlined name will display the full information for that contact.  Contacts set up as distribution lists in Outlook 2000 will not be usable from this Web interface.  See the frequently asked questions below for instructions on how to set up a contact list that can be used from the Web interface.   Find Names Lets you find a user in the Exchange address book using a variety of search fields. Public Folders Shows a list of the public folders available to you. Options Lets you set the Out of Office Assistant, set the time, and set calendar options. Log Off Logs you off of the web interface, make sure to use when exiting.

The From column is not real helpful (since most all the messages will be from you) but, unfortunately, this is not something you can change.  The From column is all you can have.

How do I send an e-mail message?

You can click on the open envelope with a letter open on it to compose a new mail message. The familiar send message dialog will pop up and give you the usual place to enter the e-mail address you are sending to and a place to add attachments if necessary.

How do I delete my messages?

While in the folder you want to delete messages from, you can click/check the box right next to the message you want to delete. Then click on the icon on the top menu bar which resembles an envelope with a checked box on the corner to delete all checked messages.

How do I use my Contacts?

You're correct in observing that you can't use your Outlook 2000 distribution lists from the Web interface.  There is a workaround you can use from the Web (that doesn't work from Outlook 2000).  What you can do from the Web is create a new contact and in the e-mail address field enter multiple addresses with semicolons between them.  This list of addresses with semicolons separating is just as you would enter them in the To: field of a new message you were addressing.  Unfortunately there is a 255 character limit in the e-mail address field and this Contact cannot be used as a distribution list from Outlook 2000. 

Will things I do on the web client have the same effect as on Exchange at work?

Absolutely. The web client is just another way to check your exchange account. Everything you do from deleting messages to sending new messages will be recorded in the same place and will reflect the next time you open Exchange at work.