Start Evolution from the main menu or with the command evolution.When started for the first time, Evolution offers a configuration assistant. If it is not opened automatically, select ‘Tools’ -> ‘Settings’ -> ‘Mail Accounts’ and click ‘Add’. Click ‘Next’ to access the assistant. Enter your name and your e-mail address in the respective fields. If you have several e-mail addresses, specify your preferred address. Additional addresses can be configured later. Click ‘Next’.

Select the appropriate incoming e-mail format for this address from the ‘Server Type’ drop-down box. ‘POP’ is the most common format for downloading mail from a remote server. ‘IMAP’ works with mail folders on a special server. Obtain this information from your ISP or server administrator. Complete the other relevant fields displayed when the server type is selected. Click ‘Next’ when finished.

The next set of information to enter is about mail delivery. This is used for all configured e-mail addresses. To submit outgoing e-mail on the local system, select ‘Sendmail’. For a remote server, select ‘SMTP’. Get the details from your ISP or server administrator. For SMTP, complete the other fields displayed after selection. Click ‘Next’ when finished.

By default, the e-mail address is used as the name to identify the account. Enter another name if desired. The field ‘Make this my default account’ determines whether the account should be used as the default. The default account is the e-mail address initially selected for sending e-mail. Another account can be selected in the message composition window if desired. Click ‘Next’.

The time zone information from the next window is used for the calendar functions. It is important to select the correct time zone for using the appointment scheduling functions. Click the dot on the map for a city in your time zone. Selection zooms the display to that area and a change can be made if desired. When the correct time zone is displayed under ‘Selection’, click ‘Next’. In the next window, click ‘Finish’ to save the data entered. Use ‘Back’ to make changes.