E-Mail

So, you want to use e-mail. Well, It's actually very simple. All you need is an e-mail provider, a bit of information, an e-mail program, and a short introduction to e-mail etiquette.

E-mail provider

Almost always your internet provider is your e-mail provider, but some very cheap access rates might not provide this. In this case you have the option of paying for an e-mail account, or finding a free e-mail service. There are a lot of free services out there, and I've listed two of the more well-respected ones below. Most of them are accessed through the Web and prevent any other form of access, such as the standardized POP account. Thus, you don't have the option of using an e-mail program and downloading your messages directly to your computer. Also, you'll have to deal with pop-up windows and banner advertisements. But, that's the trade-off when you use a free service. Hotmail
No access to POP accounts, so access must be done using a web browser.

Yahoo!
Allows POP access, but when this option is chosen, spam is sent directly to you.

Other Free E-mail Services
You don't have to choose those two above; there are a lot of other choices available.

If you chose a provider without POP or POP3 access, you can skip the next two sections.

A Bit of Information

Now that you have your provider, time to get set up. But first, you need to know a few things about your provider. Most of the information a e-mail program uses is optional, so I'll stick with the few tidbits that are really important. SMTP Server
This is the address of where you send your outgoing mail.
"Example: smtp.server.net"

POP account
This what the e-mail program uses to log into the POP server. It is your user name followed by @ and the POP server.
Example: "username@pop.server.net"

Return Address
This is where replies to your messages are sent. You will have to find out whether your provider permits redirection or not.
Example: "username@server.net"

That's about all you need. Everything else is pretty much just optional.

E-Mail Program

You've got your provider and all the necessary information, now's the time to get an e-mail program. Netscape and Internet Explorer are two of the most common programs used for e-mail as they both have additional software for POP access. However, I personally have found that text-only e-mail programs are more stable than html-based programs. Spam seems to be less intrusive with a text-based system, but Netscape and Internet Explorer are still options. Eudora
This is my personal favorite, as the program has a "Eudora Light" version. It still accesses e-mail just as well, has many of the extras that are found in the full version, and it's free to the public. No advertisements, no spam, just plain freeware. Good little program.

Netscape - Netscape Mail
I have used this only briefly, and it seemed a little sluggish for a lot of my tasks. They may have made some improvements, but I presonally just prefer to avoid using an HTML-based browser. With all the spam I have to deal with, I'd rather not deal with pop-up ads as well. Still, it's better than Outlook Express.

Internet Explorer - Outlook Express
Worst e-mail program I have ever known. Everyone I have spoken to has had problems and many of them are expert computer users. Crashes, conflicts, and lost messages happen altogether too often, and it also acts as an HTML-based e-mail program. Best to go for Netscape or another web browser if you want an HTML-based e-mail reader. The link goes to Microsoft's main download section.

Download.Com
Freeware, Shareware, or All
Of course, if you'd rather not use any of these three programs, you can always find one of your own.
Warning: there are a lot of programs to sift through.

Most of these programs go step by step through the setup process and any questions can usually be answered through the built-in help menus.

E-Mail Etiquette
Now you've started to use E-Mail. Good job! However, you should remember a few things:

1. What is said in e-mail, stays in e-mail. Bringing private matters into a public forum or dragging other people into the situation is just poor conduct. However, if both parties agree, and it is a topic worth discussing with other, then it can be brought into public view.
2. Check your spelling and grammatical errors. As you are writing all this out, it shows a level-headed individual who avoids typing errors. Never type in all caps or neglect proper capitalization. It makes a better impression when your e-mails look akin to a well-written letter.
3. Keep a level head. If a person makes a comment that really upsets you, wait a day before responding, if you respond at all. It's difficult keeping calm while talking person to person, but a few letters on a computer should make you blow your top. A person's opinion is their own; doesn't mean you have to like it, but it doesn't mean you have to be cruel, either.
4. If a person is continually abusive, tell the person's e-mail provider. Most providers can be tracked down by looking at the last part of the person's e-mail address. Send your complaints to "postmaster@server.name". People have been kicked of the Internet for being excessively abusive.
5. Remember: e-mail is just a faster version of the old post office. If you wouldn't write it in a letter, don't write it in e-mail.

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Questions? Comments? Send them to: res0i70r@verizon.net