E-mail Software

We are currently undergoing an e-mail migration. Please see http://www.macalester.edu/its/googleapps for the latest information.

Macalester uses the Google Apps for Education suite to provide e-mail and other services to our students, faculty and staff. We strongly recommend you access your e-mail account via a modern web browser such as Firefox 2 or Internet Explorer 7.

Macalester Webmail

While a webmail does have many advantages over a local mail client, there are some down sides. The following helper applications can assist by adding features that are normally unavailable to webmail systems, such as mailto: link handling and new e-mail notification. If you would like these features, you can install the following helper applications.

Google Notifier

For Macintosh computers running OS 10.4 or later, we recommend using the Google Notifier for Mac tool. Google Notifier will allow you to compose an e-mail message by clicking an e-mail link on a web page. It can also notify you of new e-mail or upcoming calendar events in your Google Apps account. After installing the Google Notifier, you will need to enter your e-mail address (username@macalester.edu) and your password to allow it to check your account.

Google Notifier for Mac

Google Talk

For Windows users, we recommend the Google Talk client. Google Talk will allow you to compose an e-mail message by clicking an e-mail link on a web page and notify you of new e-mail in your Google Apps account. It also allows access to Google Chat and several advanced chat features without needing to open a web browser. Once you've installed Google Talk, you will need to log in to it with your Macalester e-mail account and password.

Google Talk for Windows

Thunderbird E-mail Client

Thunderbird is a powerful and easy to use e-mail client. A local e-mail client is not required to use Google Apps, and we strongly recommend you use the webmail interface as your primary method of accessing your e-mail. If you need instructions on how to set up Thunderbird with Google Apps, please contact the Help Desk.

Download the latest Mozilla Thunderbird (all platforms)

Macalester College · 1600 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105 USA · 651-696-6000
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