Getting Multiple Profiles on Mail?

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Level 1

1 points

Getting Multiple Profiles on Mail?

Hello,
I'm a long-time Thunderbird user, but looking to switch to Mail to integrate better with things like iPhoto.

Thunderbird has one feature I really like: multiple profiles. Clicking on the Thunderbird icon allows my wife and I to select our individual "profile," which then has all of our messages and personal folders. Each account is separate, not part of the same log-in.

I don't see how to do this in Mail. It seems with Mail everyone in the household signs into the same account, then chooses a sub-account for their messages and personal sub-folders.

I found someone who wrote an Apple Script to handle this: http://www.wiseontech.com/hack/using-mailapp-with-multiple-users-using-applescri pt

But I'm wondering if there's some other way to make this work.

Thanks,
Matt

iMac 27", Mac Mini, Mac OS X (10.6.4), iPad 16GB 3G+WiFi, iPod Touch 8GB, iPod Touch 16GB, Airport Extreme

Posted on Oct 27, 2010 3:41 AM

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Answer 1

mattschenker Author

Level 1

1 points

Oct 27, 2010 4:08 AM in response to Barney-15E

Hello,

To Barney: everyone uses the same "account" in my house. If I want to have multiple accounts in Mail, does that mean my wife (who is totally non-tech) would have to sign out of the current system account and into her own account? Then I'd have to sign out of hers and into my own system account after she was done checking e-mail?

To macjack: No, we each have a different e-mail address.

I'd really like to be able to implement this. I'm kind of surprised that there isn't an easy way to do it.

Thanks,
Matt

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Answer 2

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Oct 27, 2010 4:02 AM in response to mattschenker

If you both use the same email address, then you need to be able setup sub-addresses.
Find out from your ISP. Then, see this...
http://www.creativetechs.com/iq/usemultiple_email_aliases_in_applemail.html
Also this tip from Lyssa...
http://discussions.info.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=10325181

-mj

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Answer 3

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,126 points

Oct 27, 2010 3:55 AM in response to mattschenker

I don't see how to do this in Mail. It seems with Mail everyone in the household signs into the same account, then chooses a sub-account for their messages and personal sub-folders.

That's because you've set up everyone in the house to use the same account on the computer. Unix, and Mac OS X, is designed around multiple user accounts. Each user has their own account with their own data and preferences.

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Answer 4

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Oct 27, 2010 4:14 AM in response to mattschenker

So, you have different inboxes and use of the drop down feature in emails. If you want your accounts separate than create a second account in System Preferences > Accounts > "+" (make it an admin acct) and choose fast user switching. Anything to want to share, put in the Shared Folder.

-mj

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Answer 5

mattschenker Author

Level 1

1 points

Oct 27, 2010 4:42 AM in response to macjack

Hello,
I'm trying to avoid having all mail accounts appear in the same window, and avoid asking each person having to change system log-ins just for mail. The problem is, we have two accounts right now (my wife and I) but we have two more people soon using the same computer. Also, each person may have different mailing preferences.

I guess what I was hoping for is a way to just have distinct mail accounts, without having to change system accounts.

I really do want to switch away from Thunderbird for various reasons, but the lack of a neat way to access separate mail accounts is holding me back.

I alluded to a script earlier that can help with this. But it does not seem to work in the current OS X. I wonder if there is another Apple Script that could handle this?

Anyway, I think it would be helpful to a lot of people to have this option.

Thanks,
Matt

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Answer 6

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,126 points

Oct 27, 2010 4:57 PM in response to mattschenker

You don't have to sign out, nor sign in if that is what you want. Just turn on Fast User Switching and select the account from the menu in the status menu section of the menu bar (right side).
If you don't want to 'sign in' just don't set a password.

You say you've used profiles in Thunderbird, so signing in and out of something doesn't seem to difficult for you to do.

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Answer 7

mattschenker Author

Level 1

1 points

Oct 27, 2010 7:27 PM in response to Barney-15E

Barney-15E,
I appreciate your help, but I don't think I see a solution here. The Fast-User Switching is good, but I don't want to have four totally distinct system accounts just so people can have their own e-mail profiles. With Thunderbird, everyone is logged into the same computer, and the only time they have to do a separate log-in is when they start up the mail (or browser). Also, the log-in is directly tied to the e-mail, not to the upper menu which is separate from that. For non-tech people, this little change would be unwelcomed!

Looks like I'll be sticking with Thunderbird, at least for now.

Thanks again,
Matthew

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Answer 8

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,126 points

Oct 27, 2010 7:39 PM in response to mattschenker

The Mac OS is designed around multiple users. It isn't a single-user system and Apple doesn't create it's apps for multiple profiles in a single user account. So, you'll have to stick with third-party solutions as far as I can tell.

I completely disagree with your selling people short like that.

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Answer 9

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Oct 27, 2010 6:28 AM in response to mattschenker

I know what you mean but it's not possible that I know of, you might accomplish it by creating Smart Mailboxes...
http://www.ehow.com/how4522457create-smart-mailbox-mac-os.html

-mj

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Answer 10

mattschenker Author

Level 1

1 points

Oct 27, 2010 7:37 AM in response to macjack

macjack,
OK, well thanks for your help!

I appreciate the time you took, and I know that, at least right now, Mail can't solve this problem.

Matt

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