U-mail Moving From Underscores to Dots

by

Doris Bornhoeft




U-mail is changing from underscores to dots! In an effort to prepare for a universal naming convention across the state, all new (NEW) accounts on U-Mail will have a "." dot instead of an "_" underscore between the first and last name (e.g. jane.doe@und.nodak.edu).  This change took effect Monday June 25, 2001.

U-mail addresses received prior to June 25th still contain the underscore (e.g. jw_doe@und.nodak.edu) but an alias using the dot was created. What that means, is that if your address has an underscore, you continue to use it to access your e-mail and dial-in, but if people address mail to you using the dot, it will be delivered to your account. In other words, you have both versions of the address. Are we going to move everyone to the dot convention? Yes, that is the ultimate goal. The date for the switch hasn't been determined yet but even when that change is made, mail sent to the address with the underscore will continue to be delivered to you.

What should you do about documentation that includes e-mail addresses, e.g. professional directory, business cards, stationery etc.? If it's something that is going to be around for more than a year, you may as well use the dot address. If you've already ordered or renewed such information with the underscore address, don't panic, it will continue to work. Forever? No, but for at least a number of years.