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

[Gil Weber]

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?

Thanks
Gil
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