 Introducing FirstClass
FirstClass is an easy-to-use, advanced communications and information system. Here are some of the things you can do with FirstClass:
• send and receive electronic mail (email), phone messages (voice mail), and faxes
• make files that were created outside FirstClass available to other FirstClass users
• browse through and send messages to common areas that other users can also use
• maintain an online personal calendar, through which you can set up meetings with other users
• maintain information about your personal contacts
• engage in instant messaging sessions with other users who are online
• organize objects for easy access.
About the FirstClass system
The FirstClass system consists of two parts: a server and a client that connects to it.
Servers
A server is usually located on a centralized computer, and is used not only by you, but by other users in your organization. Together, you make up the online community that "lives" on that server. The server contains information, such as email addresses, about all the users that are in its community.
The server also stores all the FirstClass objects that belong to you and other users. Although you can see FirstClass objects when you use your computer, they aren't really on your computer at all. What you see are just links to the objects on the server.
You don't need to be concerned about running the server; your administrator does that. All you need to know about the server is how to connect to it.
Your organization may have multiple servers, and you may be able to connect to some of these servers as well. On each server, you will only see the objects that the administrator for that server has given you permission to see. The server to which you normally connect is considered your home server.
Clients
You use a client to connect to a server. Clients show you your workspace on the server, and provide the commands that let you interact with FirstClass. A client just conveys commands from you to the server, and information from the server back to you; all the work is actually done on the server.
You can use one of the following clients to connect to a server:
• a standalone client that comes with FirstClass and runs on Windows, Mac OS, Mac OS X, or Linux, and which you install on your computer
• your web browser (this is what this help assumes you are using)
• a client-like plugin for Internet Explorer
• a phone
• a handheld device.
FirstClass objects
These are the basic objects that you'll work with when you use FirstClass.
Messages
Messages are pieces of email that are sent through FirstClass. Messages may be sent:
• from one user to another on the same server
• through a gateway that connects to another FirstClass server or to a non-FirstClass messaging system
• through the Internet to anyone who can receive email.
 NoteThere is a limit to the number of FirstClass messages that can be displayed with a web browser. Only the most recent messages are shown.
Your Mailbox
Your FirstClass Mailbox is split into an Inbox and an Outbox.
Your Inbox contains messages that have been sent to you.
Your Outbox contains:
• all messages that you have sent
• messages that you have created but not yet sent.
Memos
FirstClass also calls memos documents. Memos are much like messages, with the following differences.
A message:
• is intended to be electronically mailed to someone, and therefore includes space in the header for address information
• can't normally be changed (edited) after it has been sent
• expires after a predefined period of time by default (FirstClass automatically deletes expired objects)
• is automatically named with the name of the sender, if it is a message you received (example: Roy Allen)
• is automatically named with the name of the recipient, if it is a message you sent (example: To Amanda Ho).
A memo:
• can only be created in your Memos workspace, and therefore can't be addressed and mailed
• can be edited any time after it has been posted
• never expires by default
• must be named by you
• will sync directly with Palm™ Computing connected organizers.
Calendars
If you have used a personal organizer where you record events, such as meetings, and tasks that you need to perform, such as writing reports, you will already have some familiarity with your personal FirstClass calendar.
Instant messages
Instant messages are real-time, online discussions with other users who are currently connected to your server.
Uploaded files
You can attach files that were created outside FirstClass (word processing, graphics, spreadsheet, sound, or other types of files) to such FirstClass objects as messages, memos, and calendar events and tasks. Although you can't edit these files with FirstClass, you may be able to view them. Also, you and other users can copy them to your own computers and work with them there.
When you attach a file to a FirstClass object, the file is copied to the server. This is called uploading.
Folders
You're probably already used to working with folders on your computer. FirstClass folders work just like them. You can create and name folders, then put messages in them to organize your workspace for easy access.
In addition, your administrator may create external folders.
Conferences
At first glance, FirstClass conferences look like folders. A conference serves the same purpose of putting items with a common topic into one place, but there are some important differences.
A folder:
• is intended mainly as an organizational aid
• is available to the same users who have access to the folder's container
• can only hold messages that have been moved there
• doesn't indicate in any visual way that it contains unread mail when it's closed.
A conference:
• is intended mainly as an area where multiple users can exchange information
• has its own set of permissions that control who has access and what they can do
• can have messages mailed to it
• indicates that it contains unread mail by displaying a red flag when it's closed.
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