Email trouble

[graemeaustin]

I have set up a CDML page to send an email using the following code:

code:

---

[fmp-inlineaction: -db=security, -mailto={email}, [email protected],

-mailsub=Knowledge Base Registration, -mailhost=mailhost.name.com, -mailformat=reg_thanks.txt, -recid={field:recordid},

-find]

[/fmp-inlineaction]

---

When I tested it using Filemaker 5.5 as the machine with the CDML, the databases and the browser, it all worked fine.

However, our live environment is FileMaker Server 5.5, FileMaker Unlimited 5.0 which are on separate machines. Now the code doesn't work.

Any ideas?

BTW when testing was using Mac 9.0 and 'live' has OS X for the server and 9.0 for Unlimited in case this makes a difference. (We are waiting for the upgrade for Unlimited to 5.5 to arrive)

Many thanks

Graeme

[Garry Claridge]

Check that, on the FMPU machine, you have the apropriate mail program running. This is dependent on the FMP version and platform.

All the best.

Garry

[graemeaustin]

What sort of mail program is "appropriate"?

I thought that FileMaker handled the mail itself.

Please advise - I am now seriously confused.

Graeme

[Vaughan]

No, FMP passes the mail handling to another program. Unfortunately it won't interface with many -- MacOS users have the worst options.

Many users (myself included) use the Open URL[] script step and specify a "mailto" as the url. It's slightly limited -- no attachments -- but it works well. There is a post in the Brain Food -> Development Standards forum that covers it -- set the option to show all topics to see it.

[graemeaustin]

I can understand why you'd use the workaround if you did not have a mail application available on the machine with FM Unlimited, but we do - it's just that:

a) it doesn't seem to work on one machine rather than another

: we are doing this through CDML and not the 'send email' script.

Also (without wishing to open up the oldest hornet's nest in these forums) I am trying not to run scripts from the web because I believe (rightly or wrongly) that there are potential issues of conflict in that area.

BTW, when I run a 'send email' script in FMU, it calls up Eudora (my email client) just as it does on my test machine/laptop.

I'd be grateful for any further ideas you may have.

Graeme

[Anatoli]

RE: No, FMP passes the mail handling to another program. Unfortunately it won't interface with many -- MacOS users have the worst options.

FileMaker yes, WebCompanion not. WebCompanion is sending the email directly to SMTP server.

Personally I would avoid the emailing from InLine code. It was always reliable from standard Forms.

Any reason you cannot do it from form?

[graemeaustin]

Anatoli: The main reason I'd like to keep clear of form2email programs is that doing everything inside FileMaker environment is simpler than sending emails via Perl code (in our instance) via the ISP's server.

But you are right: provided I can get the field contents to the form2email without the user noticing - hidden frames etc - then it will be ok. In my example, there are a number of things going on (various records being created around a registration process) and one of these is for the user to receive a confirmation email. So, I have enough 'click here to proceed' type pages without adding another one to the list.

Many thanks to everyone for your help.

My current plan is to swap my test and live machines and see if the email ability on my 'old' test machine still functions. If it does I can stare at the settings on the other machine until I crack it. If it doesn't there's an incompatibility between FMU 5.0 and our Mac laptops.

As an aside, the deadline for free FMU 5.0 to 5.5 for Mac upgrade looms and FM have been particularly unhelpful in getting us the upgrade disc before the end of the deadline.

Graeme

[MeltDown]

quote:

---

Originally posted by graemeaustin:

As an aside, the deadline for free FMU 5.0 to 5.5 for Mac upgrade looms and FM have been particularly unhelpful in getting us the upgrade disc before the end of the deadline.

Graeme

---

What free upgrade? I was waiting and waiting for FMPro 5.5 Unlimited to come out, and the upgrade price listed is pretty steep.

Thanks!

[Anatoli]

quote:

---

Originally posted by graemeaustin:

Anatoli: The main reason I'd like to keep clear of form2email programs is that doing everything inside FileMaker environment is simpler than sending emails via Perl code (in our instance) via the ISP's server.

But you are right: provided I can get the field contents to the form2email without the user noticing - Graeme

---

The same here, I do not like to mix stuff very much. But I had on my mind the standard HTML form, where I can specify SMTP server etc as you did in InLines.

I found the InLines as great improvement, but not having always the required result.

[graemeaustin]

My aside about FMU 5.5 upgrade may have only been a UK deal which is why Anatoli and Meltdown might not have come across it.

Just as an update on the original email problem - we have given up trying to use inline email function due to the fact that when we put FMU on my laptop which was able to function with emails using ordinary FM5.0, the email ability stopped. Hmmm.

Now all we need to do is find a Perl program that handles form2email and incorporates the ability to have arbitrary body copy with embedded of field values in it. Needless to say, we have gone live in a make-do fashion with the web database in the interim.

Thanks for all your help on this and if you have any further thoughts on email apps etc, please let me know.

Graeme

PS In case I don't post again until 2002: happy festive season!

[Anatoli]

RE: laptop which was able to function with emails using ordinary FM5.0, the email ability stopped. Hmmm.

--------------------------------------------

FM email function simply calls the e-mail default client.

WebCompanion is using another transport layer -- direct SMTP protocol to email server.

Do not confuse them!