Starting with Outlook Express StationeryIf you are new to Outlook Express stationery, start with this page. Get some definitions here and find out the first steps in how to proceed with creating, using, and viewing stationery, and how to check into the Microsoft Stationery Newsgroup.
First, lets cover some basic ground and describe what stationery and scripts are.
What do we mean, exactly, by "stationery"?
Stationery is the e-mail or post you see which presents the author's letter or idea. It can be graphic only in nature, or can also contain sound and varied animation. We use Outlook Express to send and receive the stationery as an e-mail or newsgroup post. The stationery itself is generated by a script. In the context of this web site and the general stationery found on the Microsoft newsgroups, we are talking about stationery that "does something", not simple stationery containing a single graphic or simple background.
What is a "script"?
You'll hear lots of talk about "scripts" in the stationery newsgroups. The word "script" really is a misnomer and is used incorrectly. Generally we refer to an entire e-mail or post as a script. This is actually incorrect. The real "script" part is what you find between the <SCRIPT>....</SCRIPT> tags when you do a CTRL-F2 while viewing the stationery in OE. The rest is HTML or style information. But, to keep with tradition, we will continue to use the term "script" to refer to the whole e-mail or post.
Next, you will need to configure your Outlook Express program to make it ready for creating and saving stationery, images and sounds.
How do I get Outlook Express ready for creating and saving stationery?
If you are currently using Outlook Express 4 or 5, do yourself a favor and upgrade to the latest Internet Explorer and Outlook Express version. Many current stationery scripts will not work correctly with the old versions. Get the latest version of both IE and OE on the Microsoft site. IE and OE versions go hand in hand, as OE uses the IE HTML rendering engine to render stationery. When you are ready, several settings changes in Outlook Express must be completed before you can preview stationery, save stationery images and sounds and such. Complete the Setting up Outlook Express for Stationery Creation and Saving procedure.
All right, now let's talk about saving stationery. You have this beautiful script that someone has done, and want to save it and perhaps reuse it. Outlook Express has a SAVE AS STATIONERY menu item, but it doesn't seem to work.
In Outlook Express, why doesn't SAVE AS STATIONERY work to save scripts?
SAVE AS STATIONERY will only save the most basic stationery, not the complicated stationery and scripts found on the newsgroup. Read the tip Saving Stationery for Reuse for the simple and preferred method. This method will allow you to resend a complicated stationery intact without a lot of fuss.
But you are probably still wondering how you save the actual script code so you can make changes to it. Now, making changes to a script is much more detailed of an operation, but take a look here at how to save the code for when you do that.
How do I save script code?
First, in the message headings window of OE, click on the e-mail or post to select it, then press CTRL-F2. The script will be loaded into the Windows Notepad text editor. In Notepad, click on FILE|SAVE AS to save it to your hard drive after you have named it. You will need to name it with an .HTM file extension in order to modify it. Before you can modify it, the saved script will need to be "stripped" of extraneous code. A comprehensive tip showing you how to strip scripts can be viewed here: How to Strip Scripts for Reuse.
Okay, now you're ready to send some saved stationery or a script you have modified or created. Here's how you do it.
How do I send stationery using Outlook Express?
Simply, there are two ways. Start Outlook Express, then:
1. Click on MESSAGE|NEW MESSAGE USING|SELECT STATIONERY. Then browse for your stationery file. Click on the file, then OK.
2. Click on the down arrow next to the NEW POST or CREATE MAIL button, then click on SELECT STATIONERY. Browse for your stationery file. Click on the file, then OK.
Your stationery is now in the compose window. Make whatever text changes you want, then click the SEND button.
A consciencious poster always checks his or her stationery before sending it. Just follow this easy tip.
How do I preview my post or e-mail before I send it?
In the Outlook Express compose window you will notice three tabs at the bottom. They are EDIT, SOURCE, and PREVIEW. As you compose your post, click on the PREVIEW tab to preview. Return to the edit mode by clicking on the EDIT tab. You must be in EDIT mode in order to send the post.
Now, let's talk about organizing your hard drive for all these neat stationery scripts you're going to save and create.
Is there a preferred way to organize all these scripts?
Each of us likes to organize in different ways. There is no right or wrong way, but there are ways which will make your life easier. Here is the method I use.
To start, create a new folder on your hard drive and call it "Stationery". Within that folder, create sub folders for each script that you acquire. Within these sub folders place the script and image or images required for the script. Sound files are somewhat different. Use your own judgement on where to save them. I save all my sound files in one folder separate from my script folders.
Check into the Private Microsoft Outlook Express Stationery Newsgroup and get familiar with what's being done in the stationery world. Here's how.
How do I subscribe to the Private Microsoft OE Stationery Newsgroup?
First make sure you are online, then simply click on this link:
privatenews.microsoft.com/microsoft.private.stationery
After you get to the newsgroup for this newsgroup you must do the next bit. The group requires the server name, account name and password: stationery to be entered during setup or via Tools|Accounts|Properties|Server
Server name line put this: privatenews.microsoft.com
Account name line put this: privatenews/stationery
password line put this: stationery
last check the box that says remember password
Server name line put this: privatenews.microsoft.com
Account name line put this: privatenews/stationery
password line put this: stationery
last check the box that says remember password
A Note Here:
This is not an exclusive group. Anyone can join. Newbies welcome; help available
.About a year ago MS gave us stationery posters a new group on their Private server. This was done because for over a year the MS Public groups were hit with many virus and to protect the public MS limited the KBs in a post to under 100kbs. This made it very hard to post stationery as most are in the 300kb range. That's all there is to it. The link will remain in your Outlook Express folders display from now on. Return to the newsgroup the next time by clicking on it there.
That's the short and sweet of it for beginning to use Outlook Express for stationery. Many more questions are answered on the Answers page. Also, be sure to see the Tips page for other information. Too, there is always ready help available in the Microsoft OE Stationery Newsgroups. Don't be afraid to ask for assistance. Good luck!