[kdepim-users] On going struggle to import KMail distribution list from KDE 3.5 or create new one (now using KDE 4.6)

[O. Sinclair]

On 09/08/2011 20:40, Gil Weber wrote:
> On Tuesday, August 09, 2011 12:17:33 PM O. Sinclair wrote:
>> On 09/08/2011 18:06, Gil Weber wrote:
>>> On Tuesday, August 09, 2011 11:54:28 AM O. Sinclair wrote:
>>>> On 09/08/2011 15:07, Gil Weber wrote:
>>>>> Hello, everyone. First post to this list.
>>>>>
>>>>> Sorry that it's a bit long-winded, but I want to be clear
>>>>> describing my problem and what I've done to try to find a
>>>>> solution.
>>>>>
>>>>> I have searched the archives here and using Google. Everyone
>>>>> seems to have the same or similar problem, but no solutions!
>>>>> :o)
>>>>>
>>>>> I have recently upgraded from SuSE 11.1 to 11.4. Formerly using
>>>>> KDE 3.5 and now using KDE 4.6.00.
>>>>>
>>>>> I do not use Kontact, only KMail (v. 1.13.6)
>>>>>
>>>>> I have successfully migrated my e-mails from KDE 3.5, but no
>>>>> matter what I do I'm having a terrible time with the address
>>>>> book. I have copied over the address book, but the names are in
>>>>> completely random order.
>>>>>
>>>>> I need to have them sorted by last name so I can find a name
>>>>> quickly, but I have not found a way to get KMail to sort this
>>>>> way.
>>>>>
>>>>> Can anyone help with this first issue?
>>>>>
>>>>> Further I cannot figure out how to copy over my old distribution
>>>>> lists, nor can I figure out how to create new ones.
>>>>>
>>>>> I have looked and looked at various sources including SuSE and
>>>>> KDE discussion lists. Many, many, many people describe the same
>>>>> problem, but nobody seems to have an answer -- at least I have
>>>>> not found it.
>>>>>
>>>>> In the process of trying things I may well have screwed up
>>>>> something in KMail (perhaps Akonadi?) so I really need help. (I
>>>>> am **not** a Linux guru!)
>>>>>
>>>>> Can anyone help with this second issue of importing my existing
>>>>> distribution lists and/or creating new ones in KDE 4.6?
>>>>>
>>>>> I am simply desperate to get the address book resorted and the
>>>>> distribution lists working as my business depends on being able
>>>>> to communicate with clients and subscribers.
>>>>>
>>>>> Many thanks for your wise counsel and tolerance of this
>>>>> frustrated penguin.
>>>>
>>>> You can forget your old distribution lists, unfortunately. They
>>>> are now known as "Groups" and you will have to recreate them
>>>> (please find me wrong anyone but as far as I can remember I had
>>>> to..).
>>>>
>>>> in Kaddressbook, choose menu "File" and then "New" and then Group.
>>>> Add contacts by pressing the + sign and start typing their names.
>>>>
>>>> As for your sorting issue I hope someone else can assist you.
>>>>
>>>> In all honesty "Contacts" or Kaddressbook is still a far cry from
>>>> what it was before migrating to Akonadi technology in terms of
>>>> usability. In my opinion that is... I think I have recreated my
>>>> lists close to 10 times after "upgrades" rendered them unusable.
>>>> For a while I resorted to empty template emails addressed to
>>>> those I wanted to reach as a list.
>>>>
>>>> Just to confuse they are still called Distribution Lists in new
>>>> mail(s) but Groups in Kaddressbook...
>>>>
>>>> Best
>>>> Sinclair
>>>
>>> Sinclair, thanks for this informative reply.
>>>
>>> Just so I understand you correctly, you're saying I will have to
>>> retype each and every name and address into a new "Group" to
>>> create a mailing list? I can't simply go "click, click, click" on
>>> the various names to add them?
>>>
>>> And where/when do I press the + sign?
>>>
>>> After I do as you've suggested I see a box where I can enter the
>>> new Group's name.
>>>
>>> Then below that is an area where I can type in last names and it
>>> adds the e-mail address. So far, so good.
>>>
>>> But then when I click "OK" there are no names in the Group.
>>>
>>> What am I not understanding about this process? Does it have
>>> something to do with the + sign?
>>> Thx
>>
>> Gil,
>>
>> unfortunately there is no (that I know of) "choose a bunch of
>> contacts and then create a list". It still exists as an option in a
>> mail you create (save as distribution list, right?) but I don't
>> think it works at this moment.
>>
>> you give the group a name, click the first "envelope" line in the
>> window and start typing. Your chosen contact should show up after a
>> few letters. Then you click on the next empty "envelop line". Sorry
>> the plus sign seems to be a phantom in my memory, could be that it
>> existed in an earlier version.
>
>
> Sinclair, again, thanks. I really appreciate the time you've put into
> your answers. But still it's not working.   :o(
>
> 1) I saved a nine-name group following your directions.
> 2) When I then try to look at the contents of the group it shows 0
> contacts.
> 3) I sent a test e-mail anyway to the (supposed) group.
> 4) It bounced back to me as undeliverable, stating the message had been
> addressed to<name of the group>@<name of my computer>.com
>
> But clearly I did not send the message to that non-existent address.
> Rather, I sent it (or tried to send it) to 9 distinct e-mail addresses
> that are in my address book.
>
> This is the same problem that has been described repeatedly on various
> discussion groups.
>
> How can this significant problem be so widespread for so long since the
> release of KDE 4 yet it's still not fixed? Or has it been fixed but
> we're not aware of the fix?
>
Gil, I feel for you and have been in the same situation. It seems to 
depend on the combination of distro, kde-pim etc versions.

When I had your scenario I ended up making template emails to the people 
on the lists I normally use and then re-use these as drafts for sending 
email. All but elegant.. I have NOT had to do this since kde 4.6 or 
something on Kubuntu.

It is not KDE related as such - it is related to when Kadressbook 
shifted to Akonadi as "middle layer agent". The very frustrated 
developer has tried to explain but I personally think the move was a bit 
premature. You should see what might/could happen if you try KMail2 now...
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