Message View

The Message View is where you will read, forward, and reply to your mail.

Navigating your messages

In the far left column of the Message View screen, there are four navigation options: Previous, First, Next, Last. Click:
Previous to go to the previous message in this folder
First to go to the first message in this folder
Next to go the next message in this folder
Last to go to the last message in this folder

With most broswsers and the usual settings, you also have the option of using keyboard controls for some of your navigation. You may, however, need to first click in your Alpine window to make sure that your system knows which screen is active.

The keyboard controls are:
n next message
p previous message
i return to message index
c compose new message
l list folder
d flag message as deleted
u unflag message as deleted
a go to address book
r reply to current message
f forward current message

Viewing attachments

When a message includes an attachment, you will see highlighted links under the heading "Parts/Attachments." Click either "View" or the link description to see the attachment. Click "Save" to download the attachment.

The attachment links also allow you to read messages delivered as HTML. Simply view the second attachment to display the message as intended.

If you cannot view your attachments, go to Configuration and click the Message View tab. Make sure "Enable Attachments View" is marked.

Replying to the message

Use to respond to the author of the message and/or to the other recipients who were sent the original message.

To respond to all original recipients, check " To All" and then click .

By default, "Include text" will be checked. If you do not want to include the previous text in your reply, remove that checkmark before you click .

Forwarding the message

Use to send the message you are viewing to someone else. You will need to supply the email address of the new recipient on the subsequent Message Compose screen.

Saving the message to another folder

Save the message you are viewing to another folder by choosing from the options in the dropdown menu next to the button. Among the Save options, you'll find

If Alpine does not act on your choice immediately, click the button to initiate saving. Once saved, the chosen messages will be marked for deletion.

Adding addresses directly to address book

Click on the top panel of your screen to go to a listing of all the email addresses contained within this message. Click next to any or all of those addresses to add them to your addressbook.

Displaying full headers

Click the display full headers icon near the top right of your screen to view your full headers. The full headers contain information about the path taken by this email message. To return to digested headers, click display digested headers.

Printing

Click the print icon near the top right of your screen to print your message.

If you lose the right edge of your message, you may want to decrease your font size:

  1. Click Configure
  2. Click the "General" tab on the subsequent screen
  3. Choose "small font" or "smallest font" from the drop down box next to Font Size?

Jump Command (optional)

Depending on your configuration, you may also see a text box next to a button on the left side of the page. Enter a message number into the text box and click the button to have that message number's text displayed.

Differences from Pine and PC-Pine

Alpine is designed primarily for easy access to email. It is not intended to replace any other heavy duty email programs. Accordingly, it is missing some of the more advanced features you will find in Pine and PC-Pine. As development continues, features will be added as long as they do not make a large impact on Alpine's speed or efficiency.

Some of the features you will not currently find in Alpine Message View: