NBALL Faculty/Staff Email List
NBALL is the Mailman email distribution list for all UW Bothell faculty and staff (for those inquiring minds that want to know, "NB" stands for "North Branch," which exposes the age of our venerable friend).
By default, every new faculty/staff member is added to the NBALL list, along with any departmental lists that apply. Although unsubscribing is not allowed (important campus messages are often sent out through NBALL), users with @uwb.edu (Microsoft Outlook) email accounts can set up "rules" that automatically move NBALL messages to a certain folder. This is a fairly painless process that opens the door to several other possibilities using the Outlook Rules Wizard.
Filtering NBALL messages on a PC
First, create a new folder for the NBALL emails...
- Open up Outlook if you are not in it already.
- Click on File (on the menu bar above), go to New, and choose Folder....
- Type the name of the folder (like "NBALL") that you want to create.
- Click OK.
Now it's time to make the actual rule!
- Click on the Tools menu (on the menu bar above).
- Select Rules Wizard...
- The Rules Wizard window should pop up showing any rules you currently have set up.
- Click New...
- As you can see, Outlook presents a wide array of choices. In this case we are making a rule that filters any incoming email messages.
- Select (highlight) Check messages when they arrive.
- Click Next>
- Check the box next to to people or distribution list. This is the seventh option ("condition") in the list. Once you've checked this, you should see it appended to the Rule description in the lower box.
Click on the underlined text ("people or distribution list"). We need to define what "people or distribution list" we are talking about.
A new Rule Address window will appear. On the left is the Global Address List, on the right you can enter an address yourself. Since NBALL is hidden (i.e. not listed in the Address List), you will have to type out the full name into the box on the right.
Type : UWB NBAll into the blank box on the right.
Click OK. You should now see the address listed in the lower box.
Click Next>
Check the box next to move it to the specified folder. This is the first option ("condition") in the list.
Click on the underlined text ("specified"). Again, this is to define which folder.
Choose the folder you recently created, and click OK.
Click Next>Unless you want to make exceptions, click Next> again.
That's it! Go ahead and name your new rule - this will be the name as it appears to you in the Rules Wizard, so it may be best to go the practical route and name it "NBALL" or "All Faculty/Staff Email Filter," etc.
Make sure Turn on this rule is checked, and you may want to run the rule on messages that are already in your Inbox.
Click Finish.
Click OK in the Rules Wizard window.
Filtering NBALL messages on a Mac
First, create a new folder for the NBALL emails...
- Open up Outlook if you are not in it already.
- Click on File (on the menu bar above), go to New, and choose Folder....
- Type the name of the folder (like "NBALL") that you want to create.
- Click OK.
Now it's time to make the actual rule!
- Click on the Tools menu (on the menu bar above).
- Select Rules...
- The Rules window should pop up showing any rules you currently have set up.
- Click on the Add Rule... button.
- Enter : UWB NBAll into the Sent To... field.
- Click on the box next to Move to to mark a check in it.
- Click on the Folder button.
- Select the NBALL folder we recently created, or whichever folder you would like the NBALL messages to go into.
Click OK.
Click OK in the Edit Rule window.
You should see the new rule listed in the Rules window.
Click OK.
A couple of things to note...
- Rules are stored on the server, so they will be busy at work regardless of when or where you check your email.
- Obviously there is a great deal of flexibility with rules. If there is something you want done with incoming/outgoing email messages, Outlook can probably do it. More generalized instructions for creating the same type of rule as above can be found here.
- Users that have both a PC and a Mac: The transfer of rules between Outlook on the PC and Outlook on the Mac is still a little unpredictable. Both will work since the rules are actually saved on the server, but it is a good idea to create all your rules on one platform (i.e. consistently make the rules on your PC or consistently make them on your Mac).
- Remember that if you have any questions, don't hesitate to call the Helpdesk at (425) 352-5275 or email help@uwb.edu.
