A particular format is required at the front end of the file, and this page will help you set that up correctly. The files served by the autoresponders can reside in your local directory so you can maintain them remotely. Be sure to transfer your files in ASCII or TEXT mode when uploading them to the server; if you don't, they may not look at all like you think when they are mailed to another machine.

The file name served by each autoresponder must be coordinated between FishNet and each client. To request an autoresponder from FishNet, click on the link below and fill out the information form. This will send an e-mail to FishNet with the appropriate information; when the bot is ready we will mail you back with confirmation.

Request An Autoresponder Now!

A sample autoresponder file is shown below. Note in particular the format of the first four lines. The words From:, Bcc: and Subject: are particular keywords that the mailer recognizes; it composes mail to the end user with this information. The To: line is added by the autoresponder from the sender's e-mail address.

From: Michael Brennen &amp;amp;lt;mbrennen@fni.com&amp;amp;gt;               <--- line 1
Bcc: mbrennen@fni.com
Subject: Thank You For Your Service Inquiry
<--- blank line
Hello, this is an automated reply to your request for more information
about our services.  We appreciate your interest.

Please notice that there is not a blank line at the top of the file; the first line of the file should be the From: line. All the headers, that is, everything down to and including the first blank line, should be flush against the left margin. The From: line is where your e-mail address should go. The Subject: line should be something appropriate to your particular autoresponder. The Bcc: lines is a blind copy; if you put your own mailing address in that line, you will receive a copy of everything that is requested.

The first blank line is necessary to delimit the mail headers from the body; make sure it is in place. Only the first blank line is important; there can be other blank lines after the first.

A guideline that may be helpful when composing your file is to use a monospace font such as Courier or Courier New; set your line width at 70 or 72 spaces. Enough people still use e-mail on 80 fixed width terminals that it is helpful to compose your mail this way.

That is all there is to it. If you have any difficulties with the operation of your autoresponders please let up know. Thanks....