[X-Apps] mail / encoding problems

[admin]

Hi everybody,

I have had macs many years now
and thought I was an experienced user.
But I just bought a new i-Mac with OS-X
and have never felt more stupid.
Among other problems,
for some reason the encoding of the Mail program does not work:
either the list appears grey, or there is a "default" indication -
can anybody suggest a solution?

Many thanks.
Mery Christmas.
Natalia Agapiou