Configuring Evolution

[Bill Case]

Can anyone help with Evo configuration? I tried the manual and the
Evolution mailing list. The manual doesn't tell me enough and the
mailing list is apparently not for newbies. Google gives very few other
choices.

I have been using Evolution through RH7.1, RH9, FC2 and now FC3, but I
never paid much attention to its operation -- just used it.

1) Is Evolution supposed to fetch mail when it is opened? (e.g.  Outlook
Express and Thunderbird do). If not, does Evolution have a list of
commands that I can use in a script? Example: Is there a command line
equivalent to 'F9' or 'Send/Receive'. Using 'fetchmail' seems to defeat
the purpose of having Evo. 

In particular, I want to set up my panel launcher so that it checks that
Evolution is not already open minimized, launches Evolution and then
automatically fetches the latest email. i.e do the same thing as if I
had looked at my Window List on my panel and if Evolution wasn't there,
used 'launchmail' and then 'F9' or 'Send/Receive' or better still just
'receive'.

2) I would like to use Evolution as my personal organizer unless there
is a PIM program that integrates with Evolution - not KOrganizer. In
particular, I use calendar and tasklist print outs a lot. Is there a way
to create new or personalized printed forms. I'm an old guy and still
only feel secure with a printed or hand written form in my pocket 'a la
Day Timer'.

3) The changes I want are mostly cosmetic. If the changes I want to make
are at the source level, what programming manuals etc. are specifically
for Evolution.

or,

4) Is Evolution far too network driven for just small office needs and
am I, therefore, better off just using Thunderbird and forgetting about
Evolution altogether?

Sorry for such a long help request, but no one seems to understand what
I want and simply dismisses my questions.  I suspect I am missing
something really newbie or I am being really thick but I can't seem to
find the answers in Evo setup, preferences, help or the Evolution
mailing list.