I get asked about this quite often therefore I have decided to show you how to turn on and turn off the vacation message for your e-mail.

One very important issue that needs to be mentioned about this feature is that the use of the vacation message could potentially attract spam mail to your e-mail address. One of the ways for spammers to verify that your e-mail address is valid is for you to reply to their spam mails. When the vacation feature is turned on anyone who sends you an e-mail will get a reply from you containing the vacation message; therefore this is a very easy way for spammers to confirm that your e-mail address is valid.

As for the position of the IT staff concerning this issue we recommend that you do not use the vacation message feature unless it is absolutely necessary, especially for those that receive frequent spam e-mails to begin with. 

If you still prefer to use the vacation message feature please follow these steps:

1. For Windows users click on the Start button and choose Run...

2. In the box type: Telnet ego (or Telnet 132.206.106.211).

3. Log in to your ego account with your username and password (the username and password are exactly the same as the ones you use for your e-mail).

4. Once you are authenticated you will be at the root prompt of ego (ego%). To edit your vacation message type "pico .vacation.msg" (without the quotations).

5. Your vacation message will be shown on screen. Using the arrow keys on your keyboard (the mouse does not work here), edit the vacation message to your liking. Do not delete the part with "Your e-mail regarding "$SUBJECT"..." as this is essential for the vacation message to work.

6. Once you are finished with editing the message press Ctrl-X to exit. The program will ask you to confirm the changes you made. Press Y to accept. Press Enter to exit the screen.

7. To turn on the vacation feature type "vacation" (without the quotations) at the prompt.

8. The vacation program will ask if you want to see your vacation message. Press Y and Enter to see your message.

9. Your vacation message will be shown on screen. Press N and Enter when asked if you want to edit the message to decline since you have already made changes to it earlier.

10. The program will ask if you want to turn on the vacation feature. Press Y and Enter to enable it. Press N and Enter if you do not want to enable it. Please note that as soon as the vacation feature is enabled anyone who sends you e-mail from this point on will receive the vacation message until you disable it. Therefore it is preferable that you do not turn on the feature until you are ready to leave for the day.

11. To disable the vacation feature once again type "vacation" at the prompt. The program will ask if you want to disable the vacation message. Press Y and Enter to accept. 

Remarks:

• Always use the command "pico .vacation.msg" to edit your vacation message instead of making changes to it while you are inside the vacation program.

• For Macintosh users the concept is exactly the same as for Windows users. You have to use "Telnet" to establish a connection to ego to enable the vacation feature.   

Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us if you need assistance with using the vacation message feature.