When the mail database is opened using the MailFS frameset, the Preview Pane is collapsed every time, no matter how you set the Preview Pane Default property. To prevent this, change the launch properties to "Restore as last viewed by user" and then choose a Preview Pane option. If you then play with different ways of opening your mail database, what you'll notice is that if you open it by double-clicking on the icon on your workspace tab, it'll open as expected. If you open it via the R5 welcome page or by clicking on the mail icon on your bookmark bar, however, you'll see that it opens the database with the MailFS frameset, and your Preview Pane doesn't display.

Not everyone, of course, opens their mail file using the workspace, so below are three techniques for modifying Notes to make it open your mail file with the Preview Pane displaying correctly. Remember to change your mail database launch settings to "Restore as last viewed by user" in order for the techniques listed below to work properly.

Technique #1: Modify the R5 welcome page mail link
If you're using the default "Basics" R5 welcome page, here is how to modify the page so the icon opens your mail file with the Preview Panes displaying correctly:

1. Right-click on your mail file and choose Database-->Copy as Link.

2. Find and open your R5 Bookmarks database (bookmarks.nsf) using Domino Designer.

3. Open the "DefaultBasics" form and click on the mail icon.

4. Go to Picture-->Hotspot Properties. Under Type, select Link, and then click the paste icon.

5. Click on the text "Mail" and go to Hotspot-->Hotspot Properties. Under Type, select Link, and click the paste button.

6. Save the form and right-click on it in the Forms view. Choose Design Properties and go to the design tab. Select "Prohibit design refresh to replace or modify".

Technique #2: Replace your mail icon bookmark
If you want to be able to have the mail icon on your bookmark bar open your mail file with the Preview Pane displaying correctly, follow these directions:

1. Set your mail file launch options to "Restore as last viewed by user" and click the Preview Pane Default button. Select the option you want.

2. Open your mail file by double-clicking on it from the workspace tab and drag the Task button (what the icon in the top horizontal bar is called) over to the bookmark bar just below your existing mail icon.

3. You'll now see an envelope icon that will open your mail file with the Preview Pane Default option working correctly. If desired, you can right-click on this icon and choose "Change Bookmark Icon". Then select "Link - Mail" from the list.

4. Delete your old mail file bookmark by right-clicking on it and choosing "Remove Bookmark".

Technique #3: Set your mail file to open when Notes starts
The following technique is taken from a tip originally written by Richard Echeandia, and it's one I still use to set my mail file to open with the Preview Pane displaying correctly at startup.