Re: Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed.

[Max Nikulin]

The following link is unlikely helpful to the topic starter, so I 
decided to postpone this message. It may be informative for other alpine 
(or mutt) users however. There is a way to authenticate to gmail or a 
similar service without an application password. It is supported by 
Alpine. It requires opening a link in a browser and copy-paste of the 
obtained token back.


https://alpineapp.email/alpine/alpine-info/misc/xoauth2.html
"Authenticating using XOAUTH2 in IMAP and SMTP"

Perhaps the procedure might be made a bit more convenient with a 
dedicated web site or a browser extension, but a couple of obstacles may 
arise: user trust and terms of service limiting redirection URI.


On 27/11/2023 16:13, Gareth Evans wrote:

Google allows you to use "backup codes" as a two-factor authentication
method, which avoids the need for a phone or app, though as far as I
recall, you need to receive a text message or use an authenticator app
at least once, to turn on two-factor authentication in the first place.
You only get so many backup codes and they only work once each.  After
that, you can still sign in to generate more, but only through the web,
so would need to be able to receive a text message or use an
authenticator app if/when you run out of codes.

[...]

Screenshot or write down and/or copy to clipboard the code shown


I am unsure if the hassle with recovery codes is really necessary. 
Having a secret obtained with authentication application flow, it is 
possible to generate time-based codes. TOTP is documented and has enough 
implementations. E.g. KeePassXC password manager supports it. Most of 
services allows to get the secret as text, it can be obtained from the 
link encoded as a QR code.


In my notes I have the following snippet for python:

import onetimepass as otp
my_token = otp.get_totp(my_secret)

Certainly doing it in a secure way requires more efforts, but a 2FA 
helper may be adjusted for special needs.

Re: Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed. (fwd)

[Keith Bainbridge]

+1
-- 


All the best

Keith BAINBRIDGE 

+61 447 667 468
keithr...@gmail.com

GMT + 10
From my Apad  

On 29 November 2023 9:07:38 am AEDT, john doe  wrote:
>On 11/28/23 22:51, Karen Lewellen wrote:
>> 
>> 
>
>Lets keep the possibility of being able to send constructive e-mails
>through mailing lists so we can avoid having to move to a forum based
>set up.
>
>--
>John Doe
>

Re: Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed. (fwd)

[Karen Lewellen]

That is absolutely fare.
Let me share where things stand.
Gareth's step by step instructions were absolutely perfect.
I got assistance from a friend living in another country to generated he 
app  password required.
What we did not count on is that password timing out before the person 
incorporating it into his alpine company alpine setup could complete the 
task.

even he has run through Gareth's steps.
now, what will remain is   beating the timing factor.
I thank everyone, even the more challenging for their attention to the 
problem.
Gareth solved it by providing detailed steps, even better ones than the 
person   doing the configuring could fine, and they head a Linux users 
group here.

Thanks all,
Karen



On Tue, 28 Nov 2023, john doe wrote:


On 11/28/23 22:51, Karen Lewellen wrote:





Lets keep the possibility of being able to send constructive e-mails
through mailing lists so we can avoid having to move to a forum based
set up.

--
John Doe

Re: Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed. (fwd)

[john doe]

On 11/28/23 22:51, Karen Lewellen wrote:





Lets keep the possibility of being able to send constructive e-mails
through mailing lists so we can avoid having to move to a forum based
set up.

--
John Doe

Re: Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed. (fwd)

[Karen Lewellen]

This member has been advised about their word choice.
Granted form their preference of communication, listening is not something 
they practice well...so


-- Forwarded message --
Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2023 16:35:29 -0500
From: Jeffrey Walton 
To: Karen Lewellen 
Cc: debian-user@lists.debian.org
Subject: Re: Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed.

On Tue, Nov 28, 2023 at 1:06 PM Karen Lewellen  wrote:


I suppose you have heard of forward?
Gareth nailed the solution perfectly.
My associate followed the solution perfectly.
So, if a perfect solution flowed  from my questions, and my sharing the
provided  answers, again, I appreciate our opinion, but evidence shows
otherwise.


You were told to use App Passwords on the alpine-info mailing list 3
days ago at 
<https://mailman12.u.washington.edu/pipermail/alpine-info/2023-November/000703.html>.
I won't speculate why the message did not reach your associate, or
what problem was encountered once you passed the solution onto him or
her.

I will say your associate should join the mailing list. It will
expedite communications and problem solving in the future.

(I'm a member of that list, too).

Jeff

Re: Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed.

[Jeffrey Walton]

On Tue, Nov 28, 2023 at 1:06 PM Karen Lewellen  wrote:
>
> I suppose you have heard of forward?
> Gareth nailed the solution perfectly.
> My associate followed the solution perfectly.
> So, if a perfect solution flowed  from my questions, and my sharing the
> provided  answers, again, I appreciate our opinion, but evidence shows
> otherwise.

You were told to use App Passwords on the alpine-info mailing list 3
days ago at 
.
I won't speculate why the message did not reach your associate, or
what problem was encountered once you passed the solution onto him or
her.

I will say your associate should join the mailing list. It will
expedite communications and problem solving in the future.

(I'm a member of that list, too).

Jeff

Code of Conduct reminder [WAS Re: Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed.]

[Andrew M.A. Cater]

On Tue, Nov 28, 2023 at 12:37:53PM -0500, Jeffrey Walton wrote:
> On Tue, Nov 28, 2023 at 12:26 PM Karen Lewellen
>  wrote:
> >
> > You are entitled to your opinion, which I respect.
> > Given how some choose to answer, speaking personally, If they wanted to be
> > here, they would already be here.
> 
> Well, I think it is good troubleshooting.
> 
> The first problem your associate is going to have is, you will
> mis-state or mis-translate the problem. Then, the next problem your
> associate is going to have is, you will mis-state or mis-translate the
> answer you got from the list. All you are doing is muddying the waters
> and complicating the process.
> 
> The first thing I would do is get you out of the equation, and deal
> directly with the mailing list for the problems at hand.
> 

This is a mail which I am writing as a member of the Debian Community Team.
I would like to remind you - and all involved in this discussion - of the
Debian Code of Conduct and mailing list code of conduct.

One thing that is asked of all of us is to be respectful and constructive.
I think the above two paragraphs are not constructive and are impolite.

I would ask you to consider carefully that this does not show you in your best
light and was unnecessary. At the end of every email is another human being:
each of us has different experience, needs, and an absolutely individual
experience of Debian. Karen has her own needs: I don't think that this 
particular exchange has been helpful and doesn't show this list in a 
good light.

if you were to meet in a social setting, would you feel as justified in
being blunt? If not, then please also reconsider your tone for the 
future: not every email needs to be replied to, certainly not in this way
if you cannot add anything useful.

Andy Cater
[For the Community Team]
but that actually these comments were unnecessary. 

> But suit yourself. I don't have a dog in this fight.
> 
> > On Tue, 28 Nov 2023, Jeffrey Walton wrote:
> >
> > > On Sun, Nov 26, 2023 at 7:02 PM Karen Lewellen  
> > > wrote:
> > >> [...]
> > >> There is an associate in Toronto who is aiming to provide an email setup,
> > >> configuring alpine to access gmail, but he has never configured alpine 
> > >> before.
> > >
> > > Your associate should join the list and then state problems and ask
> > > questions directly.
> > >
> 

Re: Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed.

[Karen Lewellen]

I suppose you have heard of forward?
Gareth nailed the solution perfectly.
My associate followed the solution perfectly.
So, if a perfect solution flowed  from my questions, and my sharing the 
provided  answers, again, I appreciate our opinion, but evidence shows 
otherwise.




On Tue, 28 Nov 2023, Jeffrey Walton wrote:


On Tue, Nov 28, 2023 at 12:26 PM Karen Lewellen
 wrote:


You are entitled to your opinion, which I respect.
Given how some choose to answer, speaking personally, If they wanted to be
here, they would already be here.


Well, I think it is good troubleshooting.

The first problem your associate is going to have is, you will
mis-state or mis-translate the problem. Then, the next problem your
associate is going to have is, you will mis-state or mis-translate the
answer you got from the list. All you are doing is muddying the waters
and complicating the process.

The first thing I would do is get you out of the equation, and deal
directly with the mailing list for the problems at hand.

But suit yourself. I don't have a dog in this fight.


On Tue, 28 Nov 2023, Jeffrey Walton wrote:


On Sun, Nov 26, 2023 at 7:02 PM Karen Lewellen  wrote:

[...]
There is an associate in Toronto who is aiming to provide an email setup,
configuring alpine to access gmail, but he has never configured alpine before.


Your associate should join the list and then state problems and ask
questions directly.

Re: Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed.

[Jeffrey Walton]

On Tue, Nov 28, 2023 at 12:26 PM Karen Lewellen
 wrote:
>
> You are entitled to your opinion, which I respect.
> Given how some choose to answer, speaking personally, If they wanted to be
> here, they would already be here.

Well, I think it is good troubleshooting.

The first problem your associate is going to have is, you will
mis-state or mis-translate the problem. Then, the next problem your
associate is going to have is, you will mis-state or mis-translate the
answer you got from the list. All you are doing is muddying the waters
and complicating the process.

The first thing I would do is get you out of the equation, and deal
directly with the mailing list for the problems at hand.

But suit yourself. I don't have a dog in this fight.

> On Tue, 28 Nov 2023, Jeffrey Walton wrote:
>
> > On Sun, Nov 26, 2023 at 7:02 PM Karen Lewellen  
> > wrote:
> >> [...]
> >> There is an associate in Toronto who is aiming to provide an email setup,
> >> configuring alpine to access gmail, but he has never configured alpine 
> >> before.
> >
> > Your associate should join the list and then state problems and ask
> > questions directly.
> >

Re: Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed.

[Karen Lewellen]

You are entitled to your opinion, which I respect.
Given how some choose to answer, speaking personally, If they wanted to be 
here, they would already be here.




On Tue, 28 Nov 2023, Jeffrey Walton wrote:


On Sun, Nov 26, 2023 at 7:02 PM Karen Lewellen  wrote:

[...]
There is an associate in Toronto who is aiming to provide an email setup,
configuring alpine to access gmail, but he has never configured alpine before.


Your associate should join the list and then state problems and ask
questions directly.

Jeff

Re: Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed.

[Jeffrey Walton]

On Sun, Nov 26, 2023 at 7:02 PM Karen Lewellen  wrote:
> [...]
> There is an associate in Toronto who is aiming to provide an email setup,
> configuring alpine to access gmail, but he has never configured alpine before.

Your associate should join the list and then state problems and ask
questions directly.

Jeff

Re: Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed.

[Karen Lewellen]

 Gareth,
You are a prince among souls, this wisdom was profoundly helpful.
However, there seems to be a problem, for which I would appreciate 
permission  to write you off list.

Would this be okay?
Thanks so truly much,
Kare



On Mon, 27 Nov 2023, Gareth Evans wrote:


On Mon 27 Nov 2023, at 00:01, Karen Lewellen  wrote:

Hi all,
Changing the subjectline at the kind suggestion of another user.
Kare


Sharing what I posted to alpine  as well as here..My resource isdoing all
they can, but I truly am not equips to help them..please someone who knows what
they are doing first hand get in touch?



Currently uses alpine to access their gmail account.
A bit of context
I experience sight loss, with basic html my only direct access to my gmail
account..which has been removed as of last Monday.
I use my gmail account personally and professionally, its lost is quite quite
quite a situation for me.
There is an associate in Toronto who is aiming to provide an email setup,
configuring alpine to access gmail, but he has never configured alpine before.
As I experience sight loss, and have only accessed my gmail account via the web
interface, I  need to
1, be sure what I am told should happen here incorporating imap is what I
expect,
and 2, insure my associate has correct information, all of my alpine access is
via dreamhost, and they do not configure alpine well.
My associate is using Alpine 2.5, which I recall has a tool that allows one to
authenticate to gmail,  but I am seeking someone with direct experience so this
gets done  to the best of Alpine's ability.
If you are personally doing this, Can you please write me off list?
I absolutely positively do not have the emotional capacity to gamble here,
hoping to connect Ron with someone who knows what they are doing.
klewel...@shellworld.net
thanks,
Kare



Hi Karen,

Google allows you to use "backup codes" as a two-factor authentication method, 
which avoids the need for a phone or app, though as far as I recall, you need to receive 
a text message or use an authenticator app at least once, to turn on two-factor 
authentication in the first place.  You only get so many backup codes and they only work 
once each.  After that, you can still sign in to generate more, but only through the web, 
so would need to be able to receive a text message or use an authenticator app if/when 
you run out of codes.

If you go to

Gmail settings
then
See all settings
then
Forwarding and POP/IMAP
then
IMAP Access

there is an option to enable IMAP, but in the client configuration instructions (link at 
the bottom of that section) it says "In the coming weeks, the option to 'Enable 
IMAP' or 'Disable IMAP' will no longer be available. IMAP access is always enabled in 
Gmail, and your current connections to other email clients aren't affected. You don't 
need to take any action."

So it looks like you may not actually need to enable IMAP, but I did anyway.

Also worth noting that, at least currently, if Auto-Expunge is set to "on" in 
this section, deleted messages are only archived, not deleted.  Further options become 
enabled if you turn off auto-expunge.

I had to enter my password again after clicking save changes.

Here are the steps I followed to test alpine with gmail just now - google asks 
you to confirm your identity by re-entering your password at certain points.

Sign into gmail.com
Click the Google Account icon at the top right
Click Manage your google account
Click the Security option on the left
Click 2-step verification
Turn on 2-step verification - this will involve receiving a text message or 
using an authenticator app.  I can't see any way around this.
At bottom of section choose Backup Codes
Save or print the list of codes
Go back to 2-step verification page
At bottom of page click the arrow next to App Passwords
Enter a name for the app you are setting a password for, eg. alpine
Click create
Screenshot or write down and/or copy to clipboard the code shown
Click done

Start alpine (I'm assuming it's new and unconfigured)

Press S for setup
Press L for collection lists
Press A for add collection

Fill in:

Nickname: eg. gmail
Server: imap.gmail.com:993/ssl/user=youraddr...@gmail.com
Press Ctrl+X to save changes

Alpine will ask you to set a master password and the password for gmail
The password you should enter for gmail here is the app password you copied 
earlier
You can press Shift+Ctrl+V to paste if you copied it into the clipboard it 
earlier.  It oesn't matter about the spaces in between character groups, google 
ignores those.
Press Enter
Press Y to save to disk for future use when asked.

press E to exit setup

Press S for setup again
Press C to configure alpine

Fill in:

Personal Name:  Your name as it should appear in "From"
SMTP Server (for sending): smtp.gmail.com:587/tls/user=youraddr...@gmail.com

Press E to exit setup
Y to save changes

Alpine needs to be restarted for changs to take effect, so press
Q to quit alpine
Y to confirm

Restart alpine

Re: Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed.

[Joel Roth]

On Tue, Nov 28, 2023 at 02:06:13AM +0100, hw wrote:
> On Mon, 2023-11-27 at 19:22 +0100, to...@tuxteam.de wrote:
> > On Mon, Nov 27, 2023 at 06:57:51PM +0100, hw wrote:
> > > On Sun, 2023-11-26 at 20:54 -0500, Karen Lewellen wrote:
> > > > Your surprise is surprising given you are living no one's life but your 
> > > > own.
> > > > as they say walk a mile in another person's shoes before you decide you 
> > > > know what solutions are possible for them.
> > > 
> > > In that case, I suggest noone try to give any advice.
> > 
> > Hey, hw: no need to get grumpy. The OP has been polite all the time, she
> > just has special need. If you feel like that, better not answer.
> 
> She has been the opposite of polite.

I'm not offended at all by her manner, but at times find it
hard to parse out what she wants/needs from her description.
I don't blame her; certainly she writes as clearly as she
knows how. Usually someone (in this case Gareth) gets
what she wants. At least it's never dull ;-)


> > Cheers
> 
> 

-- 
Joel Roth

Re: Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed.

[Max Nikulin]

On 28/11/2023 08:06, hw wrote:

On Sun, 2023-11-26 at 20:54 -0500, Karen Lewellen wrote:

Your surprise is surprising given you are living no one's life but your
own.
as they say walk a mile in another person's shoes before you decide you
know what solutions are possible for them.


This was written in response to my message.


She has been the opposite of polite.


hw and Tomas, let's stop it.

Please, stick to technical advice if you feel that you can express it 
appropriately.

Re: Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed.

[hw]

On Mon, 2023-11-27 at 19:22 +0100, to...@tuxteam.de wrote:
> On Mon, Nov 27, 2023 at 06:57:51PM +0100, hw wrote:
> > On Sun, 2023-11-26 at 20:54 -0500, Karen Lewellen wrote:
> > > Your surprise is surprising given you are living no one's life but your 
> > > own.
> > > as they say walk a mile in another person's shoes before you decide you 
> > > know what solutions are possible for them.
> > 
> > In that case, I suggest noone try to give any advice.
> 
> Hey, hw: no need to get grumpy. The OP has been polite all the time, she
> just has special need. If you feel like that, better not answer.

She has been the opposite of polite.

> 
> Cheers

Re: Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed.

[tomas]

On Mon, Nov 27, 2023 at 06:57:51PM +0100, hw wrote:
> On Sun, 2023-11-26 at 20:54 -0500, Karen Lewellen wrote:
> > Your surprise is surprising given you are living no one's life but your 
> > own.
> > as they say walk a mile in another person's shoes before you decide you 
> > know what solutions are possible for them.
> 
> In that case, I suggest noone try to give any advice.

Hey, hw: no need to get grumpy. The OP has been polite all the time, she
just has special need. If you feel like that, better not answer.

Cheers
-- 
t


signature.asc
Description: PGP signature

Re: Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed.

[hw]

On Sun, 2023-11-26 at 20:54 -0500, Karen Lewellen wrote:
> Your surprise is surprising given you are living no one's life but your 
> own.
> as they say walk a mile in another person's shoes before you decide you 
> know what solutions are possible for them.

In that case, I suggest noone try to give any advice.

Why do you even ask.  You need to figure it out all by yourself
because nobody is living your life but you.

Re: Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed.

[Gareth Evans]

On Mon 27 Nov 2023, at 14:43, Karen Lewellen  wrote:
> Garret,
> This is perfection!
> It also made me cry.
> detailed step by step instructions.. I can just hand this over to the 
> person constructing things and we will be good to go.
> I appreciate the addition of how to capture that password, I will be in 
> one country, with the person getting into my gmail account in another, so 
> they will have to capture it, and email it elsewhere for the third person 
> to secure it.
> YOu are amazing!
> Thank you,
> Kare

Hi Karen,

I hope it goes as smoothly as possible - please let us know how you get on.

Best wishes,
Gareth

Re: Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed.

[Karen Lewellen]

Garret,
This is perfection!
It also made me cry.
detailed step by step instructions.. I can just hand this over to the 
person constructing things and we will be good to go.
I appreciate the addition of how to capture that password, I will be in 
one country, with the person getting into my gmail account in another, so 
they will have to capture it, and email it elsewhere for the third person 
to secure it.

YOu are amazing!
Thank you,
Kare

Re: Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed.

[Karen Lewellen]

Max,
I began this thread stating that a source is creating a mailbox door for 
this solution from me.
To answer your first question no. there. is. not..no solutions that 
might not otherwise see me in Hospital.
I would not have asked about alpine without first evaluating options 
firmly  for the body I have and the tools I can safely use.
If you are not one solid in alpine configuration, what possible value did  You 
think  You could bring to this discussion?
I am personally profoundly tired of people suggesting, intentionally or 
not, 
that if My body worked differently, I could do this,  that and the other.
your generalized statement, speaking personally, is what fortifies 
google's please experience disabilities as we define the term, or you do 
not get in the door.

none of your suggestions are helpful supportive or positive.
Thank you but no thank you.
as you said, you know nothing about alpine, therefore you do not have 
anything  of value to contribute to my situation save to, regardless 
of intention, remind me of what a freak I am considered to be..getting that 
enough from google thanks.




On Mon, 27 Nov 2023, Max Nikulin wrote:


On 27/11/2023 08:54, Karen Lewellen wrote:


 I rely on a shell service, because for me personally my adaptive tools are
 not supported..certainly not in Linux.


Perhaps Alpine is still not the only option for you.

Is there mail applications compatible with assistive technologies and native 
to the OS you have installed? If they exist then they likely support IMAP.


Mail is quite sensitive data. A virtual machine may allow to run all 
necessary tools locally. I admit it may be too complicated. Perhaps Alpine 
may be installed using MinGW (assuming Windows as the host OS).



 I am also hoping the  two factor authentication can be done via emai


An application password is a way to avoid two factor authentication 
specifically for IMAP access.


Time OTP (https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc6238 TOTP: Time-Based 
One-Time Password Algorithm) is widely supported. It relies on a secret 
shared between server and client. There are even python libraries to generate 
authentication codes. It is supported by password managers. I can not suggest 
a particular one due to your specific requirements. Keeping the secret on the 
same device is possible, it is just less secure.


Google does not support email as a second factor. U2F hardware tokens might 
be an option.


Email is hardly an option for second factor for authentication to a email 
service.

Re: Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed.

[Gareth Evans]

> On 27 Nov 2023, at 09:32, Gareth Evans  wrote:
> 
> More on Google's app passwords (with link to 2FA instructions) for anyone 
> interested:
> 
> https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/185833?hl=en
> 

In case it wasn't clear, app passwords do not require two-factor authentication 
when used to sign in, but two-factor authentication must be on for app 
passwords to be available as an authentication method.

G

Re: Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed.

[Gareth Evans]

More on Google's app passwords (with link to 2FA instructions) for anyone 
interested:

https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/185833?hl=en

Re: Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed.

[Gareth Evans]

I should have said, after

> Press Ctrl+X to send

you first need to enter the alpine master password before it can save the gmail 
app password for "outgoing" use.

Sorry!
Gareth

Re: Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed.

[Gareth Evans]

On Mon 27 Nov 2023, at 00:01, Karen Lewellen  wrote:
> Hi all,
> Changing the subjectline at the kind suggestion of another user.
> Kare
>
>
> Sharing what I posted to alpine  as well as here..My resource isdoing all 
> they can, but I truly am not equips to help them..please someone who knows 
> what 
> they are doing first hand get in touch?
>
>
>
> Currently uses alpine to access their gmail account.
> A bit of context
> I experience sight loss, with basic html my only direct access to my gmail 
> account..which has been removed as of last Monday.
> I use my gmail account personally and professionally, its lost is quite quite 
> quite a situation for me.
> There is an associate in Toronto who is aiming to provide an email setup, 
> configuring alpine to access gmail, but he has never configured alpine before.
> As I experience sight loss, and have only accessed my gmail account via the 
> web 
> interface, I  need to
> 1, be sure what I am told should happen here incorporating imap is what I 
> expect,
> and 2, insure my associate has correct information, all of my alpine access 
> is 
> via dreamhost, and they do not configure alpine well.
> My associate is using Alpine 2.5, which I recall has a tool that allows one 
> to 
> authenticate to gmail,  but I am seeking someone with direct experience so 
> this 
> gets done  to the best of Alpine's ability.
> If you are personally doing this, Can you please write me off list?
> I absolutely positively do not have the emotional capacity to gamble here, 
> hoping to connect Ron with someone who knows what they are doing.
> klewel...@shellworld.net
> thanks,
> Kare


Hi Karen,

Google allows you to use "backup codes" as a two-factor authentication method, 
which avoids the need for a phone or app, though as far as I recall, you need 
to receive a text message or use an authenticator app at least once, to turn on 
two-factor authentication in the first place.  You only get so many backup 
codes and they only work once each.  After that, you can still sign in to 
generate more, but only through the web, so would need to be able to receive a 
text message or use an authenticator app if/when you run out of codes.

If you go to

Gmail settings
then
See all settings
then
Forwarding and POP/IMAP
then 
IMAP Access

there is an option to enable IMAP, but in the client configuration instructions 
(link at the bottom of that section) it says "In the coming weeks, the option 
to 'Enable IMAP' or 'Disable IMAP' will no longer be available. IMAP access is 
always enabled in Gmail, and your current connections to other email clients 
aren't affected. You don't need to take any action."

So it looks like you may not actually need to enable IMAP, but I did anyway.

Also worth noting that, at least currently, if Auto-Expunge is set to "on" in 
this section, deleted messages are only archived, not deleted.  Further options 
become enabled if you turn off auto-expunge.

I had to enter my password again after clicking save changes.  

Here are the steps I followed to test alpine with gmail just now - google asks 
you to confirm your identity by re-entering your password at certain points.

Sign into gmail.com
Click the Google Account icon at the top right
Click Manage your google account
Click the Security option on the left
Click 2-step verification
Turn on 2-step verification - this will involve receiving a text message or 
using an authenticator app.  I can't see any way around this.
At bottom of section choose Backup Codes
Save or print the list of codes
Go back to 2-step verification page
At bottom of page click the arrow next to App Passwords
Enter a name for the app you are setting a password for, eg. alpine
Click create
Screenshot or write down and/or copy to clipboard the code shown
Click done

Start alpine (I'm assuming it's new and unconfigured)

Press S for setup
Press L for collection lists
Press A for add collection

Fill in:

Nickname: eg. gmail
Server: imap.gmail.com:993/ssl/user=youraddr...@gmail.com
Press Ctrl+X to save changes

Alpine will ask you to set a master password and the password for gmail
The password you should enter for gmail here is the app password you copied 
earlier
You can press Shift+Ctrl+V to paste if you copied it into the clipboard it 
earlier.  It oesn't matter about the spaces in between character groups, google 
ignores those.
Press Enter
Press Y to save to disk for future use when asked.

press E to exit setup

Press S for setup again
Press C to configure alpine

Fill in:

Personal Name:  Your name as it should appear in "From"
SMTP Server (for sending): smtp.gmail.com:587/tls/user=youraddr...@gmail.com

Press E to exit setup
Y to save changes

Alpine needs to be restarted for changs to take effect, so press
Q to quit alpine
Y to confirm

Restart alpine

Press L for folder list

Choose gmail or whatever Nickname you entered earlier

INBOX option is your inbox
Gmail option shows other folders - all mail, sent, bin, drafts  etc.

Go 

Re: Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed.

[Max Nikulin]

On 27/11/2023 08:54, Karen Lewellen wrote:


I rely on a shell service, because for me personally my adaptive tools 
are not supported..certainly not in Linux.


Perhaps Alpine is still not the only option for you.

Is there mail applications compatible with assistive technologies and 
native to the OS you have installed? If they exist then they likely 
support IMAP.


Mail is quite sensitive data. A virtual machine may allow to run all 
necessary tools locally. I admit it may be too complicated. Perhaps 
Alpine may be installed using MinGW (assuming Windows as the host OS).



I am also hoping the  two factor authentication can be done via emai


An application password is a way to avoid two factor authentication 
specifically for IMAP access.


Time OTP (https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc6238 TOTP: Time-Based 
One-Time Password Algorithm) is widely supported. It relies on a secret 
shared between server and client. There are even python libraries to 
generate authentication codes. It is supported by password managers. I 
can not suggest a particular one due to your specific requirements. 
Keeping the secret on the same device is possible, it is just less secure.


Google does not support email as a second factor. U2F hardware tokens 
might be an option.


Email is hardly an option for second factor for authentication to a 
email service.

Re: Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed.

[Karen Lewellen]

Speaking only to your p.s.
I rely on a shell service, because for me personally my adaptive tools are 
not supported..certainly not in Linux.
I am also hoping the  two factor authentication can be done via emai 
otherwise that means finding a third party, cannot use  a smart phone, 
again due to the associated speech.
Your surprise is surprising given you are living no one's life but your 
own.
as they say walk a mile in another person's shoes before you decide you 
know what solutions are possible for them.




On Mon, 27 Nov 2023, Max Nikulin wrote:


On 27/11/2023 07:01, Karen Lewellen wrote:

 Alpine 2.5, which I recall has a tool that allows one to authenticate to
 gmail


When tho factor authentication is enabled for the google account, it is 
possible to generate an application password. Almost any mail application 
supporting IMAP should work with a such password. It eliminates OAuth2 flow 
with authentication through a web page and requiring JavaScript and 
registered OAuth2 application. An application password is long and 
inconvenient to type, but it is supposed to be saved by the application.


Enabling two factor authentication requires a phone, but as soon as it is 
enabled, a Time OTP second factor may be enabled and the phone number may be 
removed from the account. There is a number of applications supporting TOTP, 
there is no vendor lock-in to Google authenticator.


Sorry, I do not use Alpine, so I can not help with it configuration.

P.S. I am surprised that people relies on external shell services when an 
application may be installed locally. In the case of IMAP mail is stored on 
the mail server anyway.

Re: Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed.

[Max Nikulin]

On 27/11/2023 07:01, Karen Lewellen wrote:
Alpine 2.5, which I recall has a tool that allows one to authenticate to 
gmail


When tho factor authentication is enabled for the google account, it is 
possible to generate an application password. Almost any mail 
application supporting IMAP should work with a such password. It 
eliminates OAuth2 flow with authentication through a web page and 
requiring JavaScript and registered OAuth2 application. An application 
password is long and inconvenient to type, but it is supposed to be 
saved by the application.


Enabling two factor authentication requires a phone, but as soon as it 
is enabled, a Time OTP second factor may be enabled and the phone number 
may be removed from the account. There is a number of applications 
supporting TOTP, there is no vendor lock-in to Google authenticator.


Sorry, I do not use Alpine, so I can not help with it configuration.

P.S. I am surprised that people relies on external shell services when 
an application may be installed locally. In the case of IMAP mail is 
stored on the mail server anyway.

Alpine/Gmail/Imap expert needed.

[Karen Lewellen]

Hi all,
Changing the subjectline at the kind suggestion of another user.
Kare


Sharing what I posted to alpine  as well as here..My resource isdoing all 
they can, but I truly am not equips to help them..please someone who knows what 
they are doing first hand get in touch?




Currently uses alpine to access their gmail account.
A bit of context
I experience sight loss, with basic html my only direct access to my gmail 
account..which has been removed as of last Monday.
I use my gmail account personally and professionally, its lost is quite quite 
quite a situation for me.
There is an associate in Toronto who is aiming to provide an email setup, 
configuring alpine to access gmail, but he has never configured alpine before.
As I experience sight loss, and have only accessed my gmail account via the web 
interface, I  need to
1, be sure what I am told should happen here incorporating imap is what I 
expect,
and 2, insure my associate has correct information, all of my alpine access is 
via dreamhost, and they do not configure alpine well.
My associate is using Alpine 2.5, which I recall has a tool that allows one to 
authenticate to gmail,  but I am seeking someone with direct experience so this 
gets done  to the best of Alpine's ability.

If you are personally doing this, Can you please write me off list?
I absolutely positively do not have the emotional capacity to gamble here, 
hoping to connect Ron with someone who knows what they are doing.

klewel...@shellworld.net
thanks,
Kare


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