How it Works [MailBug Classic]
MailBug is called an “email appliance” because it is built for a dedicated purpose … email.
It is simple to use because the complexity associated with sending and receiving email has been moved into the network rather than in the MailBug itself. It is not a general purpose computer, but rather it is a fixed device, dedicated to doing just email and a few other simple related things (e.g., CallerID, phone book, and auto phone dialer). Because of all this, MailBug does not have a lot of things that can go wrong. For example, it is immune to all viruses, since it cannot run programs. There are only a limited number of settings that can be changed. So there can be very little confusion when setting it up.
Because it just connects to a standard telephone line, and AC power, almost anyone can set it up. MailBugs are shipped already configured with your email address and password. So in most cases, you just need to plug in the power cord, and a phone cord. It’s that simple.
MailBug retrieves and downloads email for you automatically, while you do other things, and then blinks the red light to let you know when you have new email. Just press the blue button just beneath the word “Email” on the screen (shown circled in the figure).
… and MailBug displays your email mailbox (as shown below).
Select a message (as indicated by the cursor, which is the arrowhead in the leftmost column) and press the “Read” button beneath the screen, and MailBug displays the message for you. From there you can read it, reply to it, forward it, or delete it. Messages can be short or long. Just scroll to read. MailBug even handles messages that are very long, as long as 16,000 characters, or the equivalent of about four single-spaced typewritten pages.
MailBug will store up to 100 names and email addresses for you, making composing new messages simple and fast.
MailBug has full-sized keys for easy typing, and a backlight bright enough to let you read email in the dark.
Whether sending or receiving messages, email has never been easier.
