FirstClass Procedures to Forward Mail or Save to File

FirstClass data will not be mass-migrated to the new Google@CPS accounts. However, we know that you may have some messages that you would like to preserve.  This can be done by either forwarding them to your new Google@CPS account, or by saving the messages as files.  

To forward FirstClass messages to your Google@CPS account:

1. Open the message in your FirstClass mailbox or conference/workspace container.
2. Select the Forward icon from your Toolbar, or click Message → Forward.
3. Enter your own email address: username@cps.edu in the To: line as the recipient.
4. Click Send from your toolbar and the message will be redirected to your Google@CPS account.
5. NOTE: Forwarded messages will be subject to the CPS retention policy of one year, after which they will be purged from either mailbox.

To save FirstClass messages as files (Save multiple messages at once):

1. Select one or multiple message(s) from your mailbox or conference/workspace container.
2. Select File → Export.  A Browse for Folder window will appear.
3. Select the file location where you would like to save the message(s) and select OK.
4. Your messages will be saved to the file location.  
5. Each message will create its own folder with three different file type options for you to view your message: Rich Text Format (MS Word), Text Document (Notepad), and XML Document (View in Web Browser).

You Asked: What about my archived email?!

Many Outlook users currently archive email to .pst files for future reference. According to Board policy, it is okay to archive or print email that you need to keep beyond the one-year retention policy.

In Google@CPS, however, archiving batches of email isn't supported. Instead, to "archive" individual emails, you can do one of the following:

• Print them
• Save them locally as a PDF 
• Copy and paste the content into a Google Doc
• You will have to save any attachments separately.

If you need to access your currently archived .pst files, you will have to use Outlook to view them. These files cannot be migrated to Google. (And even if we were able to do that, email older than one year would disappear.) See instructions for setting up Outlook.

Finally, don't confuse Google's "Archive" button with offline archiving. They are completely different. In Google@CPS, archiving an email simply takes it out of your inbox and saves it to behind-the-scenes folder called "All Mail". This allows you to get it out of your way while still being able to reference it for up to one year. Email in the All Mail (Archive) folder will be deleted after one year just as if it were in your inbox.

You Asked: Yes or No

Sometimes all you want is a simple yes or no answer. This one's for you...


Will we have access to Google@CPS before the start of school? YES
Will training be available over the summer? YES
Will there be online training options? YES

Will my FirstClass email, calendar, and documents get moved over to Google@CPS? NO
Will you tell me how to move my data over? YES
How? On this website? YES
Will I have enough time to move the data? YES
Through September? YES

When we switch, will mail still go to FirstClass and Outlook? NO
Only to Google@CPS? YES

Will there be an icon on my desktop for Google@CPS? YES
Is it the colorful square icon? YES
And that will take me to the new login screen? YES

What if I use Outlook, will my email, calendar and contacts get moved over? YES
I heard that my rules, filters and delegations will not get moved over. Is that true? YES

If I continue to use Outlook, will I run into issues with mail delivery, notifications and calendar invitations/events? YES
So, I should stop using Outlook and only use the Google@CPS interface? YES

Can I access Google@CPS from home? YES
On my smartphone? YES
From a hotel in Singapore? YES
From an airplane that offers Internet access? YES
Will you tell me how to set up my smartphone? YES

If I have a personal Google account that uses the @cps.edu address, will I be able to keep it? NO
I’ll have to change it? YES
You’ll provide instructions? YES

Will I be able to create Groups for my classrooms? YES
Will I be able to collaborate on Google Doc with other CPS users? YES
Will I be able to collaborate on Google Docs with outsiders? NO

If I’m a teacher, will I be able to create Sites? YES

Will you answer all of my questions if I submit them through the Contact Us link? YES

You Asked: Will my email get moved over?

If you are a FirstClass user, the answer is unfortunately no. FirstClass uses a proprietary storage method that is difficult to migrate to other systems. If we tried to move your email, there’s a really good chance that it would end up garbled and unusable. Don’t worry, we’ll show you how to move your mail and provide access to your current account through September to allow you time to move important content. Stay tuned!

If you are an Outlook user, the answer is yes. Outlook/Exchange is much easier to migrate, so the effort and the risks are minimal. Your email (inbox, sent items and folders), calendar and contacts will move over on the date you are scheduled to be switched. Tasks, messages/attachments over 25MB, rules, filters and views will not move over. Once you cut over, you will not be able to view/send mail from your old account. (You will only be able to see mail that you have archived in a .pst file.)

For everyone, all new email will arrive in your new Google@CPS inbox on the date you are scheduled to be switched.

In all cases, we recommend:
• Jotting down your favorite rules and filters so you can recreate them
• Saving any attachments over 25MB that you need to keep
• Saving any important emails