Thanks Bob

The problem I keep hitting is that some of my users will be behind a corporate firewall, thats why I think I will end up using MAPI as the fallback system.

These users may not be allowed to connect to our FTP server to do their dowloads because of this, these are exactlty the same users who will have to argue with their network guys in order to be able to use a seperate POP3 account
through their firewall.

Using MAPI overcomes these problems because it is going through their regular mail system which gets me through the Firewall.

In spite of all the hassle associated with MAPI it seems to be the only way I can go.

The system is designed to pass receipts back and forth as well so it will know when a delivery has not happened and inform the sender accordingly.

Hopefully by using both FPT and MAPI in combination I will get fairly good coverage.

FTP can be used happily by the bulk of the smaller building contractors.
The bigger outfits which are fewer in number will have to use the MAPI solution or buy a standalone PC.

Well at least I am happy now I have made my mind up:)

Its a Bank holiday weekend starting over here so I plan to make the most of it before having to write all this stuff when I get back:)

Thanks for all your help

>bing a proponent of the free, about a week ago, I put up a web page with some samples of blat.dll, vfp, and links to where to find it.
>
>here it is if you are interested.
>
>http://www.1amsoftware.com/blatstuff/Bobx%20VFP%20Blat%20Page.htm
>or just go to www.1amsoftware.com and look at the links.
>Bob Lee
>
>
>The west wind control is also, a good solution, being that it communicates with the smtp server directly.
>
>
>>Thanks Bob
>>
>>Yes Blat combined with the Getmail command line function does seem to offer a way of doing everything without having to worry about the email clients installed. I also dont have to worry about deleting mail since Getmail would receive it independently.
>>
>>I could not find Blat.DLL
>>
>>Instead of Blat I would probably use the West Wind SMPT class to get the mail out since I already have an app running with that and it is not a command line product.
>>
>>My only remaining concerns are if Getmail can get through corporate firewalls to do the receiving and the fact that it is a command line product.
>>
>>I will download it and play with it.
>>The zip file attachments I will be using will have a long file name which also acts as an address similar to the following.
>>
>>IJCGHW-WEST-GHW-03-2-0099.ZIP
>>
>>I hope this will not be an issue for for any mail servers the mail passes through on route.
>>
>>
>>Many thanks:)
>>
>>
>>
>>>Since you are using FTP already, and are looking for backup solution,... one other option not discussed yet.
>>>
>>>using windows sharing, where as you have one server setup with a shared drive on the internet, for dropping files. windows or Linux ..
>>>
>>>If it turns out that email is the way to go, you might think about using blat or blat.dll, or something else like that, which does not require mapi to be configured. that way, you have more control of how email is being sent. I cant tell you how often I have taken calls from users telling me that they child changed their email settings, or they downlaoded netscape set it as their default email, but... didnt configure it.
>>>
>>>Using your application to control the flow, and communication with the smtp client as much as possible will help you sleep nights. knowing that at at least if your code is good, and the smtp server they are connected to is good, it should work.
>>>
>>>Add into it other controls like ole - outlook , mapi, while adding features, also brings into the picture new levels of complexity - users - login to the machine, Profiles , what email client and so on. most of which you really have little or no control of.. since they are port of the desktop, and or other software..
>>>
>>>Bob Lee
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>Thanks Bob
>>>>
>>>>Your comments on FTP are all valid:) which is why its the primary method we will be using for the distribution of these files. The Email system is only being used as a backup system because we have to provide more than one internet mechanism for the transfer. Our other fallback system involves motorcycle couriers and floppy disks:)