E-Mail Basics

All E-Mail programs have the same function: to connect with your ISP and download or upload messages. They have a toolbar near the top with buttons on it to help you do this. Keep in mind that the exact steps to perform certain functions will vary between programs, but the following information will give you an idea of what basic E-Mail functions exist in most programs.

Buttons you should know:

The default folder where your new E-Mail messages appear and are stored.

A list of commonly used contacts, like a paper address book.

To send a response to an E-Mail someone has sent you.

To forward the exact message you received to a new person.

This will respond to everyone the E-Mail was originally sent to. Use carefully, because you don't always see everyone a message was sent to.

To delete the selected message.

To print the selected message.

Sending E-Mail - step by step instructions

1. Open your E-Mail program (Netscape Messenger, Outlook Express, etc.), and click the icon for a new message  .

   A new window looking something like this will open:
   
   

   

2. TO:
   This is the section of E-Mail you can relate to the outside of an envelope when sending a regular letter.

   In the To: section type in the address of the person you'd like to send E-Mail to, this should take the format of username@hisISPname.com. Type the address carefully, as it will not be sent unless it is perfectly correct. Be sure you type it exactly.

   CC:
   This allows you to send a carbon copy of your E-Mail to another recipient. Simply place the recipient's E-Mail address in the CC: box, as in the To: field. A copy of the E-Mail will be sent to that person.

3. SUBJECT:
   Type in a brief description of the subject of the E-Mail you are sending to the recipient. This isn't required, but will make it easier for those receiving your mail to sort it from other messages they have received.
4. E-MAIL MESSAGE: This is the body of your letter. Type your message in the message box. It will appear just like you typed it in. Remember, E-Mail is not sealed like an envelope. You shouldn't send any confidential information (credit card info, bank account numbers, etc.) via E-Mail.
   
   
5. SEND:
   Just like dropping your letter in the mailbox. When you have completed your message and want to sent it, click on the send button.

That's all there is to sending an electronic message!

E-Mail Attachments

Attachments are files (like a photo or Microsoft Excel spreadsheet) that accompany an E-Mail message.

To send an E-Mail attachment:

1. Open and complete the E-Mail message as described above.
   
   
2. Click the button or icon.
   
   
3. This will open an "Insert Attachment" box that shows your files. Browse through your folders and files to find the file you would like to attach to your message.
   
   
   
   
4. Left click on the file you would like to attach and it will appear in the "file name" box. Click the "Attach" button in the "Attach File" dialog box. The file's name will appear as a separate line in your E-Mail header, or as as an icon at the bottom of the message.
   
   
   
   
5. Click the button to send your message.

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