U-M Online is a package of computing services that the University offers to alumni, retired faculty and staff, and others affiliated with the University. The package includes help from the ITS consultants at 4-HELP and Online Consulting, an e-mail mailbox, an IFS home directory, use of anti-virus software, and more. For details, visit the U-M Online web site.

Table of Contents

Information About U-M Online

One of the best ways to explore U-M Online is to visit the U-M Online web site. Use any web browser — such as Firefox, Safari, or Internet Explorer — to get to the web site.

Table of Contents

Documents Referred to in This Guide

Throughout this guide you will see many references to documents that have numbers at the end of the title — such as S4199 or S4269. They're available on the web in the ITS Information System. You can search by document number, title, or key word.

Table of Contents

Blue Disc Software

As a U-M Online subscriber, you may download and install the licensed software provided at the U-M Blue Disc web site. This includes anti-virus and other software that provide secure — SFTP and SSH — connections and more.

Table of Contents

How to Get Help

There are many ways you can get help when you need it for your U-M Online services.

On the Web

You can access ITS computing help on the web at itcs.umich.edu/help. Resources there include lists of Frequently Asked Questions about computing services provided by ITS.

Documentation

Access ITS documentation, including the documents referred to throughout this guide, at www.itcs.umich.edu/itcsdocs.

By Phone

Talk with an ITS 4-HELP consultant about using your U-M Online services and Blue Disc software at (734) 647-MICH (647-6424) during available hours. Please identify yourself as a U-M Online subscriber.

Via E-Mail

Send e-mail to umol.help@umich.edu for help from the ITS consultants. Please identify yourself as a U-M Online subscriber. A consultant will usually respond within 48 hours.

Built-In Help

Most of the Blue Disc software includes built-in online help as part of the software. Look under the Help menu.

Help With Your Account

The ITS Accounts Office can help you with questions about your account or your billing statement — (734) 764-8000 or toll-free at 888-UMONLINE (888-866-6546). They can also help if you forget your password. Please identify yourself as a U-M Online subscriber.

Table of Contents

Policies and Guidelines

Everyone with access to U-M information technology resources — including U-M Online subscribers — have the responsibility to use those services in accordance with the University's Proper Use Policy and other policies regarding information technology use. When you initially subscribed to U-M Online, you agreed to abide by these policies by signing the application.

Information about these policies is on the web at itcs.umich.edu/itpolicies. The page also features important information about the security and proper use of your UMICH password.

Table of Contents

Changing Your Password

IMPORTANT! After receiving your uniqname and temporary password so that you can access U-M Online, you should immediately create a new password.

Choosing a safe and secure password provides security and privacy for your personal records, such as e-mail and other files. Your UMICH password allows you to authenticate, or prove, your identity when you access U-M Online services. You may freely tell anyone your uniqname because it provides a means for others to identify and locate you. However, never tell anyone your password and don't select a password you use for other online services. Information on changing your password and selecting a good one, see Choosing and Changing a Safe and Secure UMICH Password (R1162).

You can change your password on the web at accounts.www.umich.edu/kpasswd.

Table of Contents

Sending and Receiving E-Mail

What Is My E-Mail Address?

Your U-M e-mail address has the following form:

For example, if your uniqname is bjensen, your e-mail address is bjensen@umich.edu.

Dealing With Spam E-Mail

ITS offers two anti-spam services you can use to reduce and manage your spam: the Do Not Spam List and SpamBox. We recommend that you use both of these services together for best results.

• Do Not Spam List. Rejects e-mail from known sources of spam. This will reduce, but not eliminate spam. Many spammers switch identities frequently and therefore avoid being listed as a known spam source. Using the list is a good first step in reducing spam. For more detail, see Using the Do Not Spam List to Reduce Spam (S4323).

• SpamBox. Puts suspected spam messages in a SpamBox folder, where you can do a quick check for any messages you might want to keep before deleting the spam. Use SpamBox to keep the spam messages that get past the Do Not Spam List from cluttering your INBOX. For more detail, see Using SpamBox for E-Mail Spam Filtering (S4314).

Managing Your Mail with Filters

You can use a web application to create filters that will sort your incoming mail for you. These filters operate on the ITS mail server at the time of mail delivery, so they work no matter what IMAP mail program you use. (POP mail programs cannot use server-side filters; POP users should use their mail program's filters.) Server-side filters are especially useful for people who routinely use more than one e-mail program.

You can create filters to file messages from your family or a particular work group into separate folders. You can have mail from a listserv or electronic newsletters put in designated folders.

The web-based application includes ready-made filters for an Accept List and a Block List. You can use the Accept List in conjunction with SpamBox (or with any other spam filter) to always accept mail from designated addresses no matter how SpamBox classifies it.

Which E-Mail Program Should I Choose?

U-M Online offers you these programs for handling your e-mail:

• U-M Webmail

• Mulberry 3 — U-M configured version available from the U-M Blue Disc website

Of course, you can use other programs as well. Instructions for setting up the following popular e-mail programs to access your U-M Online mailbox in Configuring Your E-Mail Program to Connect to the ITS E-Mail Service (S4321):

• Apple's Mail for Mac OS X — automatic configuration software for U-M available at the U-M Blue Disc website

• Mozilla Thunderbird — U-M configured version available from the U-M Blue Disc website

• Entourage for Mac OS X

• Eudora

• AOL/Netscape Mail 7

• Outlook

• Outlook Express v6

• Windows Mail

Which e-mail program you choose depends on how you like to handle your e-mail. There are pros and cons for each. Retired faculty and staff who used Pine can continue to do so if they prefer. Choose an e-mail program other than those listed above may limit the amount of help ITS consultants can provide if you run into difficulties.

We recommend U-M Webmail. It offers two interfaces — Maize and Blue — and you can access it from any computer with an Internet connection, making it especially convenient when you're not using your own computer.

U-M Webmail start screen">

Mulberry has been popular with many faculty and staff. It supports both Windows and Mac OS X. It keeps your mail safely on a central server until you delete it. You can work offline (disconnected), which can be useful if you want to conserve dial-in time or keep your phone line open while you read your e-mail. You can use Mulberry interchangeably with Pine and web mail to access the same mailbox. Mulberry 3 looks like this:

IMPORTANT! The vendor that makes Mulberry filed for bankruptcy in 2005. While you are welcome to continue using Mulberry, no new versions will be made available.

Pine offers a command-line interface and was popular with some faculty and staff. It runs on a central server machine, so you can access it from any computer that has Internet access and an SSH program for connecting to the ITS Login Service. You can use it interchangeably with Mulberry and U-M Webmail to access the same mailbox. To run Pine, you connect to the ITS Login Service and type pine at the % prompt. To use Pine, you issue one-letter commands. Pine looks like this:

How to Use Your E-Mail Program

Instructions for using web mail, Mulberry, and Pine are in the documents listed below.

• Using web.mail.umich.edu for E-Mail on the Web (S4297)

• Using Mulberry 3 for E-Mail (S4312)

• Getting Started With Pine E-Mail (S4131)
• Using Pine E-Mail (T7037)

Table of Contents

Publishing Web Pages

IMPORTANT! U-M Online subscribers may not use their personal web pages for commercial business purposes. Your U-M Online personal web page may, however, contain a pointer to another web page that is not affiliated with the University, where you are free to conduct business.

You can create your web pages using whatever web publishing/editing software you are most comfortable with. For general information about creating and publishing web pages at U-M, see the "Publishing Your Web Site Using Your Home Directory" section of Using Your IFS Home Directory Over the Web With MFile (S4311). MFile lets you set up your web space with the click of a button. You can log in to MFile at mfile.umich.edu.

Your web pages will be accessible at this address:

As a U-M Online subscriber, you are allocated 1 GB of storage space on IFS. You can purchase additional IFS space by calling the ITS Accounts Office at (734) 764-8000 or toll free at 888-UMONLINE (888-866-6546). The cost of the additional space will be added to your monthly charge.

Table of Contents

Storing and Sharing Files in IFS With MFile

Just as the ITS e-mail service lets you access your e-mail from different computers at different locations, the Institutional File System (IFS) lets you access your documents and files from different computers at different locations. IFS is a central file storage, sharing, and retrieval system that you can access from Windows, Macintosh, and Unix computers. Your personal storage space on IFS is called your "home directory."

You can access files in your IFS home directory from any computer with an Internet connection and a web browser. This means you don't need to carry diskettes or other storage media around with you. Another benefit of IFS is that your files are backed up regularly for you.

You can also put files in your IFS home directory, or in other directories on IFS, for others to share. This is a good alternative to sending e-mail attachments, particularly when several people need access to the same file. IFS can serve as a shared work space for a group of people.

You can connect to your IFS home directory over the web with MFile (mfile.umich.edu). For instructions for using MFile, see Using Your IFS Home Directory Over the Web With MFile (S4311).

You can also connect to IFS using Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) software. You can download SSH Secure Shell SFTP for Windows and Fugu for Macintosh from the Blue Disc web site.

For more about IFS, see IFS Overview (R1070).

Table of Contents

Connecting to Other Computers

These programs are included on the Blue Disc to let you open terminal connections to other computers.

• For Windows users: SSH Secure Shell. See Using SSH Secure Shell to Connect to Host Computers [Windows] (S4304) for instructions.

• For Mac OS X users: Shortcuts to the Macintosh's built-in SSH program.

Many people at U-M use these to open a connection to the ITS Login Service. Once connected, they can then type pine to use the Pine e-mail program.

ITS provides a number of shortcuts/profiles on the Blue Disc web site to make it easier for you to open connections to popular host computers at U-M. Double-click a shortcut/profile to use it.

Table of Contents

Using the U-M Online Directory

You can use the U-M Online Directory to

• Find e-mail addresses, street addresses, phone numbers, and more for members of the U-M community.

• Create e-mail groups.

• Redirect your e-mail to a different e-mail address—or to several addresses.

• Let your correspondents know when you are away from e-mail.

Creating E-Mail Groups

The U-M Online Directory allows you to create and use e-mail groups. Whereas an individual entry in the U-M Online Directory contains information associated with one particular individual, a group entry contains a collection of individual names or names of other groups. Once you create a group in the U-M Online Directory, an e-mail message sent to this group will be delivered to each member of the group.

To create an e-mail group, you must first "bind" to the directory as yourself. You'll be prompted for your uniqname and password. Once you are bound to the directory, click the Add button to create your group. Groups must be renewed annually.

For complete instructions for creating and maintaining e-mail groups, see the directory's built-in help (click the Help button on any directory page) or these documents:

• Managing Groups that You Own in the U-M Online Directory (S4277)

• Managing Your Membership in U-M Online Directory Groups (S4345)

• Directory Group Expiry Policy (R1455)

Redirecting/Forwarding E-Mail

If you are changing from one e-mail system to another, or if you use more than one e-mail service, you can use the U-M Online Directory to redirect your e-mail. If you are leaving the University, you can also use the U-M Online Directory to forward your e-mail to your new e-mail address. For instructions, see the directory's built-in help or this document: Forwarding or Redirecting Your E-Mail Using the U-M Online Directory Via the Web (S4279).

Setting a Vacation Notice

The U-M Online Directory has a vacation notice feature that can be used to let people know when you're on vacation or just not reading e-mail. After you activate the vacation notice feature, the directory will send an automatic message to anyone who sends you e-mail letting them know that you're away from e-mail.

You can also customize your vacation message. For example, you could include the dates that you will be unavailable and the name and contact information of someone else your correspondents can contact during your absence. For instructions, see the directory's built-in help or the "Setting a Vacation Notice" section of The U-M Online Directory Via the Web: Finding and Changing Your Personal Entry (S4276).

Table of Contents

Avoiding Computer Viruses

If your computer is connected to the Internet, it is susceptible to infection and other maladies. Protect yourself and your computer by using the free anti-virus software available from the U-M Blue Disc website. These commercial products are licensed for use at U-M. Information about viruses and protecting your computer is available at Computer Virus Protection at the University of Michigan (S4200).

Download the free anti-virus program that's right for your operating system.

• McAfee VirusScan for Windows
• Sophos Anti-Virus for Macintosh
  For more information, see Installing and Using Sophos Anti-Virus 7 for Mac OS X (S4366).

Table of Contents

Keeping Your Software Up to Date

Visit the U-M Blue Disc website often for updated software and new services

Table of Contents

Additional Resources

Visit ITS's Information System to obtain ITS computer documentation and other resources. A list of relevant documents follows:

• Choosing and Changing a Safe and Secure UMICH Password (R1162)

• Windows Internet Access Kit (S4269)

• Macintosh Internet Access Kit for Mac OS X (S4298)

• Configuring Your E-Mail Program to Connect to the ITS E-Mail Service (S4321)

• Using web.mail.umich.edu for E-Mail on the Web (S4297)

• Using Mulberry 3 for E-Mail (S4312)

• Getting Started With Pine E-Mail (S4131)

• Using Pine E-Mail (T7037)

• Using the Do Not Spam List to Reduce Spam (S4323)

• Using SpamBox for E-Mail Spam Filtering (S4314)

• Using Server-Side Filters to Manage/Organize Your E-Mail (Including Accept and Block Lists) (S4325)

• Using MFile To Access Your IFS Home Directory Over the Web (S4311)

• IFS Overview (R1070)

• Using SSH Secure Shell to Transfer Files with sftp [Windows] (S4299)

• Using SSH Secure Shell to Connect to Host Computers [Windows] (S4304)

• Managing Groups that You Own in the U-M Online Directory (S4277)

• Managing Your Membership in U-M Online Directory Groups (S4345)

• Directory Group Expiry Policy (R1455)

• Forwarding or Redirecting Your E-Mail Using the U-M Online Directory Via the Web (S4279)

• The U-M Online Directory Via the Web: Finding and Changing Your Personal Entry (S4276)

• Computer Virus Protection at the University of Michigan (S4200)

• Installing and Using Sophos Anti-Virus 7 for Mac OS X (S4366)

We welcome your comments; please send e-mail.

ITS's Online Help Desk provides a variety of computing help resources.

For further help with U-M Online, send e-mail to umol.help@umich.edu or phone (734) 647-MICH (734-647-6424). Please identify yourself as a U-M Online subscriber.

Table of Contents

Information and Technology Services