Have you been noticing problems with the performance of your e-mail in the past few weeks? If so, here are some potential issues that maybe the root of the problem, and some suggestions to enhance your e-mail’s performance.
The number-one hindrance of optimal e-mail performance is the number of messages in your inbox. If you have more than 100 messages in your inbox chances are that not only are you impairing your computer’s e-mail performance but also the performance of other’s email across campus.
Cleaning out your inbox is one of the best ways to improve your email’s performance. However, merely deleting the number of messages in your inbox will not get the job done. It is extremely important that you purge your trash folder after deleting any messages. Otherwise, according to Director of Information Technology Brad Weaver, the message will remain in your e-mail account and hinder the College’s server performance.
You can help improve the overall system efficiency by using the mass mailing lists (!everyone, !students, !staff, etc.) sparingly. Here are some suggestions: Send only one or two announcements about a campus event. Ask someone to proofread your messages before sending to make sure all important information is disclosed in your message. Use the smallest list possible to reach your intended audience. Use the classified ad system (www.wabash.edu/classifieds) for lost and found or "for sale" announcements.
E-mail use is typically most frequent during 8:00 a.m.- 8:30 a.m. Monday through Fridays (particularly Mondays), 9:50a.m.- 10:20a.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and 1:00 p.m.-1: 30 p.m. Monday and Friday. So expect slower operating speeds during those times.
"Providing excellent e-mail service to the Wabash community is a priority for our department," Weaver said. "We are spending substantial time and energy to improve the system. Aside from working with on-campus experts, we are also working with two outside consulting firms on the issue.
"The most significant problem we face at the moment is that by dramatically increasing the student, faculty, and staff mailbox quota last summer, campus users have been able to allow their mail boxes to grow unchecked."
Just remember the status of your mailbox not only affects your own personal e-mail account but also the reliability and speed of every e-mail address on campus.
Sexton is a Wabash College junior and English major.