The Lab's IMAP4 email system currently stores more than 27 gigabytes of trash -- that's about 15 percent of the system's total storage capacity. Currently, 40 people have more than 100 megabytes in their trash folders, and of those, 17 have more than 150 MB, which means they're paying a monthly fee to store trashed messages. We need your help to keep our storage requirements reasonable.

Effectively managing your trash usage benefits all IMAP users. Doing so:

• improves the system's performance;
• helps you avoid having to pay for storage (remember, everyone gets 100MB of storage space on IMAP4 for free);
• helps us manage the system's storage space; and
• frees up space for others.

Here are a few recommendations to help you reduce your trash usage:

Empty Your Trash Folder
Chances are, if you've put something in the trash, you probably don't need it. Unless you're SURE you do need it, go to the "File" menu in Netscape Messenger, and select "Empty Trash on imap4.lbl.gov." This is the most effective way to help reduce the volume of trash on IMAP4.

Use "Shift+Delete" to Permanently Delete Large Files
If someone sends you a 20MB PowerPoint presentation, you've probably saved it on your local computer, and deleted it from your inbox. That 20MB file goes into your Trash folder on the IMAP4 server. You can permanently delete it without sending it to the trash by holding down the "Shift" key while you press the "Delete" key.

Set Netscape to Empty Trash on Exit
An easy way to keep your Trash usage low is to set Netscape to empty your Trash folder when you exit.  To do this, go to the Edit menu, and select: Preferences ->Mail & Newsgroups -> Mail Servers -> imap4.lbl.gov -> Edit (button) -> IMAP (tab) -> click the checkbox next to "Empty Trash on exit" -> Ok

Click here to check the amount of email you have stored on the IMAP4 server