This may be obvious to those not completely bewildered by this thing called Notes, but how do I create a simple e-mail message template.
I end up sending the same basic email to the same group multiple times a day with only a few details changed. I would like to open a template, fill in a couple of fields and press send.
I am a programmer with a fair amount of experience with javascript (no Java though) and am not afraid to code. So that is an option.
Now I am not a Notes hater but just realized that this thing is not really an e-mail client, but a monstrosity that happens to send email with disdain for common windows shortcut keys like F5??!!
Thanks and sorry for the rant.
Subject: how to create a mail message template
Hey kev coder,
What you want is fairly simple once you realize that pretty much anything in Notes can be emailed. All you have to do to is modify your mail database by adding another form to it.
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Open your mail database in designer.
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Add a new form.
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Lay out the form just like a document. Place fields where you want the variable content to go. You can use defaults to fill in the ones that do not change very often.
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Add an action button to the form.
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Attach code to the action button to send the mail.
Whenever you want to send the email, open your mail database and use the create menu to create a new instance of your custom form. Fill in the info and click the button to send it to your group.
This is an over-simplified explanation of what you have to do. The details are all available to you in the designer help file.
Subject: how to create a mail message template
Click F1(help) and check out the topic ‘Stationary’. I believe it will suit your need without any programming involved.
Subject: how to create a mail message template
By the bye – F5 doesn’t consistently mean “refresh” in Windows; not even in Microsoft products.
Subject: how to create a mail message template(off topic response)
ha! You got me. It doesn’t especially since not all applications have a need to refresh.
On the other hand, Alt-F4 does consistently mean “exit application”… not because it’s “right” but because M$ (1)beat you to the punch and (2)they are the 300 lb gorilla and (3)ignoring that fact is only cute for so long.
Notes is quirky and sometimes quirky is a pain in the a$$.
Subject: RE: how to create a mail message template(off topic response)
No – Alt+F4 is not application-specific (it works at the OS level and is reserved). F9 was the standard in-application refresh/recalc – that came from Lotus 1-2-3, the killer app that is mostly responsible for the PC’s continued existence, and MS uses it for that purpose in more than one of its apps (try F5 in Excel and see where that gets you).
Subject: RE: how to create a mail message template(off topic response)
Stan - watch it! You are showing your age there man! Mention 1-2-3 to most people these days and all you get is a blank stare.
Subject: RE: how to create a mail message template(off topic response)
Well, I was going to say VisiCalc…
Subject: RE: how to create a mail message template(off topic response)
Well I must be showing my age too, because I remember both of those apps and I learned to program with LotusScript in Approach and 1-2-3 (SmartSuite). Sue Sloan anyone! You want to talk about blank stares!
And this “nostalga” is the root of my complaint. IBM/Lotus should be able to do more in “make it simple stupid” dept.
…rant done.
You fella’s have a great day.