Set up an email account in Ubuntu 10.10

Email is built in to the Ubuntu desktop so once it's setup you'll receive notifications of new emails automatically.

To set up your email account, left-click on the envelope icon at the top right-hand edge of the screen and then click on Set up mail.

Click on Forward, enter your name as you want it to appear to mail recipients and your email address. Click on Forward.

Select the correct kind of server for your email. IMAP is preferable but POP is supported as well. Check the server details including the name, your username and the security options. Some email services require you to include the full email address and others just the username. Click on the remember password if you want the password saved but make sure that you don't do this if other people have access to the computer and you don't want them using your email account. Click on Forward when the settings are correct.

Select how often you want to check for new mail and whether Evolution should check in all folders on the server. Click on Forward.

The next step is to set up sending email. This will almost always be with an SMTP server. Check the details again including the username and whether encryption is used on the account. Click on Forward.

Give the account a name. This is for your benefit, so pick something short that describes the account. Examples might include work, home or the name of the email provider. Click on Forward and then Apply.

Evolution will start and ask for your password. Enter it and click on OK. Evolution will connect to your email service and download your inbox.