If you are going to be away for some time, and would like to have a message automatically sent in reply to incoming email alerting them that you won't be around, you can set an away message (also known as a vacation message.)

These messages are only sent once per week per unique sender, and are not sent in reply to mailing list messages. In other words, each unique person that sends you an email while you have an away message enabled will only get a reply for the first message they send for each week you are gone. This is done so that you don't inadvertantly "spam" people who are sending you mail.

Setting up an Away/Vacation message (Zimbra)
There are a couple ways to go about setting up an away message, that depend on what email server your account is on.

If your account is on the Zimbra server (csemailbox.ucsd.edu), you can simply log in to the Web Client, then go to "Options" "Mail". On this page, you will see, in the second section of the page, two fields which you need to modify:

• "Away message Enabled" - turn on this checkbox to enable your away message.
• "Away message" - Type the message you would like people to receive while you are away.

Once you have entered your message and enabled the away message, you will need to click the "Save" button in the tool bar near the top of the page (between the two rows of tabs). This will save your changes to the server and return you to your mailbox.

Setting up an Away/Vacation message (Unix)
Those comfortable with the Unix/Linux command line can log in to their mail server (either csefast.ucsd.edu, csegrad.ucsd.edu or cseguest.ucsd.edu) and use the "vacation" program to configure and enable an away message.