If you are going to go through lots of different Firewalls then the answer is
MAPI since a route through the firewall already exists for it.

Look at Nigel Coates MAPI class in the files section.

He has 2 classes there. Make sure you get the MAPI class not the Outlook class.


The main advantages and disadvantages of the differing methods seem to be as follows.

1. SMPT Control

Advantages.
By using just classes that deal with SMTP the application will be acessible to the widest possible number of users. SMTP classes will not care what email client the user is using because it will be not be using it.
SMTP will be around forever just about.

Disadvantages
Corporate users may not be able to connect to a seperate SMTP server through their firewall. I cant find any stuff on receiving SMTP mail that has a VFP slant. ie I might have to do it all myself:(
Of course you can use SMTP just for the outgoing mail but this seem at bit pointless if you are using something else to receive it.

2. MAPI Control

Advantages.
Many users will have a MAPI complient Email client but there is chance this may change in the forseable future (Office XP according to our network guys)
The users will not require MS Outlook on their PCs
MAPI will get you through any firewall with the no hassle because you can use the existing email client to receive mail.
Will even work with just Outlook Express on the machine.

Disadvantages
Not everybody will have a MAPI comlient email client.


3. Outlook Control
Advantages
Using the Outlook control provides access to the Outlook folders so the mail can be deleted after the attachments have been read. This will provide a much tidier solution for the user than MAPI.

Disadvantages
All the people who use the system must also have MS Outlook on their machine so there are licence issues involved even assuming that they are happy to have Outlook sitting there upsetting their existing mail system:(



4. Collaborative Data Objects.

Advantages
Its the wave of the future and very nice indeed.

Disadvantages
All users will require Windows 2000










>i need to know if there exists,
>an email toolkit/api/library
>(preferably a DLL) that will
>allow me to send an email
>parsing the recipient, subject and
>to attachment files too
>SO THAT IT SENDS IT VIA OULOOK
>EXPRESS.
>
>i use FPW2.6 and can
>access 32-bit DLLs ok.
>
>thanks.
>
>bruce jones
>bruce_jones@bigpond.com
>sydney, australia.