Making the grade in Outlook Express 101

It's never too late to learn something new. You've gotten this far with your computer, so now it's time for E-mail 101 using Outlook Express. It might be the easiest introductory class you have ever taken. Before we get started, you will need to be able to connect to the Internet. You'll find a quick overview about that in the sidebar.

This course will help you understand some of the basic e-mail prerequisites.

What is Outlook Express?
Outlook Express is the e-mail program that comes with Windows Me. It allows you to send and receive electronic mail over the Internet. Here's how it works:

• When you send a message, it is converted into one of two standardized formats, which means it doesn't matter if you have Windows and your friend has a Mac: You can still read each other's e-mail.
• Clicking Send transmits your message over phone or data lines to a computer at your Internet service provider (ISP), known as a server. The server interprets the address(es) on your message and sends the message via the Internet (which is a series of other computers) to reach the destination address. The message then resides on the receiving server until the intended recipient logs on and checks for new e-mail.

Note   Another way to send and receive e-mail on the Internet is by using Hotmail . Hotmail is a free Web-based e-mail service that allows you to easily send, receive, and check your e-mail from multiple computers. For more information, see Making the grade in Hotmail 101.

Lesson One: How to use e-mail
First, you must be connected to the Internet and have an e-mail account. If you don't have an Internet connection, the Connection Wizard in Windows Me can help you get one. See the sidebar for how to get started.

After you are connected to the Internet, open Outlook Express:

• Click the Start button, point to programs, and then click Outlook Express.

You can check for new mail right from the Outlook Express main taskbar.

• Click Inbox to view new messages. Then click each individual message you want to read.

Replying
Respond right away or wait until later—whatever you prefer.

1. Click the message in your Inbox.
2. Click the Reply icon.
3. Type your message. When you are ready to send it, click the Send icon.

Sending a new message
You don't have to wait until someone writes to you to send a message.

1. Click New Mail.
2. Enter an e-mail address in the To: line.
3. Press the TAB key twice, then type the subject of your message in the Subject line.
4. Press the TAB key, and then type your message.
5. Click the Send icon.

Sending mail to the whole class
You can send the same message to many people at the same time by adding additional addresses to the To: line. You can also copy the message by inserting additional e-mail addresses into the CC: line.

Organizing the class list
To save typing time, store the addresses and names of your frequent contacts in your address book.

1. Click Addresses.
2. Click New, and then click New Contact.
3. Enter the details of your contact, click Add, and then click OK.

The next time you need to send a message to that individual, you can use the stored address.

1. Click New Mail.
2. Click To.
3. Select the contact to whom you wish to send a message.
4. Click To.
   Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each recipient to whom you wish to send the message, and then click OK.
5. Type a subject into the Subject line.
6. Press the TAB key, type your message, and then click Send.

The best part of this class is the reading assignment—the correspondence you get from friends. Now, who's ready for Quantum Physics 101?