What is disk quota?

All files in your account on the BEC Community Network servers use hard disk space. These files typically consist of email messages, and sometimes Webmail, personal Web page, or other stored files.

The Community Network provides 25 MB of space per account on its servers.


Do I need to worry about quota limits?

For most people, quota limits are not an issue. If you use an email program such as Outlook Express, all mail waiting for you on our server is transferred to your computer each time you check mail. Unless you check mail only infrequently, or receive very large volumes of mail, or receive very large attachments, you probably have little to worry about.

In addition to email, some people also have other Webmail files, personal Web page files, workspace, and in rare cases inbox or other saved folders in PINE.


How do I find out what disk space I am using?

Go to Webmail (http://webmail.becon.org). This can be done from anywhere in the world where Internet access is available.
Log in with your usual username and password. Disk quota usage is displayed in a bar graph on the left side; click the Details link for complete information.


What happens if I exceed disk quota?

If you exceed the quota limit, you will automatically be sent an email notice. You have a two-week grace period to deal with the overquota situation. A new notice will be sent each day that you are over quota.

If your account is still over quota after the grace period, our server will not accept new email for your account or allow you to upload files; messages sent to your account would be bounced back to senders. As soon as you manage your disk usage to bring it within quota limits, our server will once again accept new mail for you.

Additional space can be purchased if necessary; get in touch with the Helpdesk to make arrangements.


Leaving a copy on the server?

Outlook Express transfers email from the server to your computer when you check for new mail. If you check email regularly but the quota summary indicates a lot of mail in the Inbox, your computer's email software may be configured to leave a copy of messages on the server. (Some people do this intentionally so they can check messages from multiple computers).

To find out whether you're leaving a copy on the server, in the Menu Bar of Outlook Express click Tools | Accounts | Mail tab. Highlight the appropriate account, click the Properties button and the Advanced tab.

If there is a checkmark beside "Leave a copy on server", remove it unless you really want a copy left there. In that case, ensure that at least one of the options to delete from the server is set appropriately.

If you have mail on the server that you do not want to download, use Webmail (or PINE, if you are a text-only user) to delete messages from the server.


Webmail folders

Webmail allows you to check email waiting for you on the Community Network server from anywhere in the world, including your own computer.

Webmail has folders for sent items and deleted items just like Outlook Express does. Whenever you send a message, a copy is kept in the Sent folder; deleted messages are moved to the Trash folder. Remember to systematically delete messages from these folders.

If you are over quota beyond the grace period or are far over quota, you may see error messages when attempting to delete mail.
In that case, change a setting in your Webmail configuration to bypass the Trash folder. Click Options | Folder Preferences; click the drop-down arrow beside Trash, select "Do not use Trash", scroll to the bottom, click Submit.
When you are finished deleting, it's wise to re-enable Trash.


Personal Web Space

Check for files that are not referenced by your page but are still occupying space on the server.
Ensure that file size of graphics is not excessive. Large file sizes usually do not improve the quality of the image on a viewer's computer, and actually discourage viewers from waiting to download them.


Text-only users

If you have text-only service, your email is stored on the server in PINE folders, including built-in folders and any that you may have created.
You may also have files stored in your Workspace. To view these, quit PINE and enter Your Workspace. Delete files as appropriate; be careful not to delete your Mail folder!

If you are a former text-only member, you might still have mail stored on the server from that time. If you see disk usage indicated in "Email (saved folders)", this is likely what it means.

To view messages in PINE folders, enter Post Office, then enter Read and Send Email Using PINE. Press "L" (List folders); delete and expunge unwanted messages and folders.
Workspace files can be deleted directly from the Workspace.

Text-only users can change PINE configuration settings to bypass the automatic storing of sent-mail:
When in PINE, press m (Main), s (Setup), c (Config). Move to the line
  default-fcc = <\No Value Set: using "sent-mail"\>
Press Enter. At the bottom of the screen where you see
  Enter the replacement text : sent-mail
delete the words "sent-mail"; leaving it blank, press Enter to accept the change. Exit the configuration area.


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