Mac Forum / Applications / Eudora / April 2008

Is there a way to ensure that Eudora will always, for sure, open using a
single default settings file and other related mail files, other than
locating (and naming) all these files properly?  And, what are the
proper locations?  

A not-too-computer-savvy neighbor set up Eudora 6.2.3 on his
MacBook Pro under Leopard with some nonstandard file locations:

*  His "Eudora Folder" was stored in the Macintosh HD:Applications
folder, right under the "Eudora Application Folder," instead of in the
Users:XYZ:Documents folder, which is where it's supposed to be
(right?).

*  His Eudora Settings file was renamed as "Eudora Setting XYZ" (XYZ
being his initials).  This settings file was dragged into the documents
portion of his Dock, so he could use it to start Eudora, and the Eudora
app itself was also dragged into the applications portion of his dock.

So then:

*  He initially started up Eudora by clicking the settings file icon in
the Dock and sending and receiving emails, and all was OK.

*  At some point, however, he started up Eudora after a shutdown by
clicking the Eudora app icon in the Dock.  Presumably at this point
Eudora created a whole new Eudora Folder with the associated files for
him, in his Documents folder -- **and he didn't realize this was
happening**, and happily used that set of mailboxes for a while.  

*  And then, at some point he came back after being away from the
machine for a while, clicked the settings icon in the Dock, and went
back to his old set of mail files.

*  Beyond this, at some point he mailed a foto to someone from within
iPhoto, telling iPhoto to use Eudora and -- well, it's not really clear
what happened at that point, but I think it used the 2nd Eudora Folder.

Net result; chaos.  I think I have the mess cleaned up, but to avoid
repeat problems I'd like to be sure on a few key points:

*  The Eudora Folder for v6 onward may not **have* to be located in the
user's Documents folder and named "Eudora Folder" -- but it **should**
be to avoid trouble -- right?

*  Does the Eudora Settings file have to be named just "Eudora
Settings"?  Or can it be re-named something like "Eudora Settings XYZ"
so long as it's in the correct Eudora Folder (and no other settings
files are present)?

*  Is there any way in Eudora itself, or in Eudora prefs, to specify a
default settings file, such that starting up Eudora will *always* use
that settings file, regardless of anything else?  (I've not found any
such setting.)

*  Does iPhoto have a setting or preference such that emailing a foto
will use not only a selected mailer, but a selected settings document
for that mailer?  (I don't think it does.)

Thanks for any clarifications . . .