Hi TBUDL,
I have three accounts in The Bat!
Normally, when I create filters they apply to the specific account in
which they were created. Later when a correspondent sends a message to
that account it is filtered properly, assuming I have set the filter
up properly. That is the behavior I would anticipate, and it is the
behavior I see. All is good.
But sometimes that same correspondent sends a message to one of my
other accounts. And when that happens, his message is not filtered
because the filter was defined, and therefore resides, in another
account. Again, that is what I would expect, and The Bat! performs as
it should.
But I'd like to collect all messages from that same correspondent into
one folder in one of my three accounts no matter which account he sent
it to, and I'd like to do that automatically with filters. That, it
seems to me, is one of the rationales for the use of "common filters."
When I highlight a message and choose to create a filter for it, I
find that there is a check box on the dialog to "create common
filter." Therefore I have the option to create a common filter *from*
any account when I'm on a message of the type I want to filter. That's
good, I think.
I conclude that if I want to filter all messages from a particular
correspondent into a folder, regardless of the account to which it is
sent, I should create a common filter for incoming messages from that
correspondent. So I tested my thinking.
I created a common filter for one of my correspondents that moves his
messages into the folder of my choice, and it didn't work. Upon
investigating the cause, I realized that I had to have the common
filter apply to all accounts (an option for which is found under a tab
that exists only for common filters). I changed that option and
re-tested the filter, and now it works as I had anticipated.
Excellent, says I.
So now I have a way to create filters that apply to all accounts, and
I've solved this particular problem. I wanted to share this musing
with you, in the event that you too have a similar need.
As I think about this strategy however, the only downside I see is
that I must remember to check that "create common filter" checkbox.
Unfortunately, remembering isn't one of my strong suits. So it occurs
to me that it might be desirable to have the option to make "create
common filter" a "sticky" selection, which is off by default but which
a user can turn on if she or he knows the consequences and wishes to
have The Bat! exhibit that behavior. Also, I think it would be helpful
if The Bat! would prompt me when I save a common filter to specify
which accounts I want it applied to, again because of the likelihood
that I would forget to go to the common filter and specify that
option.
Do any of you agree this might be a desirable configuration option?
And if I entered it as on Ritlabs' Wish List, would you support it? If
not, what are the pitfalls you see or reasons why you don't think it
is a good idea.
Thanks for the benefit of your thoughts.
--
Regards,
Perry
Using The Bat! v3.86.03 ALPHA (beta) on Windows XP 5.1 Build 2600
Service Pack 2
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