Using FastMail.FM with JBMail

What you need to know

Note 1: If you already know how to set up your client, and you already understand the information below, see this FAQ entry for the server information you need to set up your e-mail client. The Troubleshooting Issues section at the bottom of this page may be helpful if you have problems.

In order to use JBMail with FastMail.FM, you'll need to enter the following information:

username - When you signed up for FastMail.FM, you chose a username which is also your e-mail address. You must use the full username, including the name and the domain part, which is the part after the '@' symbol. For example, a user named John Doe might have chosen a username of "johndoe@fastmail.fm". Make sure that you specify your username in lowercase only.
password - When you signed up for FastMail.FM, you chose a password to go along with your username. You will need the password to access your account. The password also keeps others from being able to access your e-mail. Your password is case sensitive, so be sure that you type it in correctly. "PASS123" is different to "pass123". Often, users forget about the CapsLock button and mistype their password.
incoming mail server (IMAP or POP) - This is the server that you get your e-mail from. Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) and Post Office Protocol (POP) are retrieval methods used to move e-mail messages from the server to your e-mail client so that you can read your messages. POP access is not available for all service levels, please check the pricing table for details. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is available for your protection as well. By enabling this option, you can keep people from reading your e-mail as it is transmitted between the e-mail server and your computer.
outgoing mail server (SMTP) - This is the server that sends your e-mail. Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) is the method that your client uses to move e-mail messages from your client to the server so that it can send your messages. The FastMail.FM SMTP server is not available for all service levels, please check the pricing table for details. If your service level does not allow use of the FastMail.FM SMTP server, you must use the SMTP server provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

The FastMail.FM SMTP server requires SMTP Authentication. This keeps people who are not users of the FastMail.FM service from using the SMTP server to send spam messages on the Internet. SSL is also available for the FastMail.FM SMTP server. If you don't use the FastMail.FM SMTP server, you may have different options or requirements. You will need to get that information from your ISP.

Many thanks to Jem Berkes for providing these instructions.

Incoming/Outgoing Server Setup

JBMail is a light-weight mail client that will give you quick access to your mailbox. You can download a free copy from www.pc-tools.net

Start JBMail and use the 'New' button at the top to create a blank profile. Replace the default profile name '(Untitled)' with a descriptive name such as 'FastMail.FM account'.

Then enter the following account information:
- For 'POP3 host' in the green box, enter 'mail.messagingengine.com'
- For 'User name', enter your email address at FastMail.FM
- For 'Password', enter your password.
[Optional] Select the 'Send settings' tab and fill in your SMTP settings.
Note: Only paid users have access to the 'mail.messagingengine.com' SMTP server. Guest users should instead set the 'SMTP server' field to your ISP's SMTP server. You should be able to find this information in your ISP's documentation; we don't have the information, so please don't email us asking what it is. Also, depending on the strictness of your ISP, you may also need to set the 'Your address' field to your ISP's email address. You can always set the 'Reply to address' field to anything you want.
The image below shows a typical configuration. You will probably have to enable 'Use SMTP AUTH'.
Click 'Save' at the top of the window. You can then access your mailbox by returning to the 'Account' tab and clicking 'Connect'
Note that whenever you Connect to your mailbox, you are connected directly to the FastMail.FM POP server for the duration of the session. No mail is downloaded and stored locally, which means that mail is not removed from your mailbox unless you use the Delete function in JBMail.

Remember to click 'Save & Exit' when you are done reading/deleting your mail.
Two additional functions that you may find useful for your FastMail.FM account are junk mail filtering, and the periodic mail checker (Mailman, system tray).
- From the setup window (first window shown), select the 'Filters' tab to define junk mail/spam filters
- Also from the setup window, select the 'Global' tab and then 'Enable Mailman' if you want JBMail to check every X minutes for new mail. Make sure you click 'Apply'

Learning more about IMAP

IMAP is a powerful protocol that allows you keep to your email synchronised, whether you're at home, at work, at a friends place or an internet cafe. You don't have to worry about what computer the email is on, because all the email is kept on the server and each client sees the same 'view' of the email. See this FAQ page to learn more about IMAP

Troubleshooting Issues

There are no known troubleshooting issues with this client.

Last modified on: Wed May 14 12:00:00 UTC 2003