Outlook Express

 

            Electronic mail (e-mail) is used to send a message to someone who is connected to the Internet.  You must know their e-mail address before you can send them a message.  The easiest way to find someone's email address is to call and ask.

            E-mail addresses are made up of two parts: username @ domain

(i.e. jdoe@hit.net)  There are no spaces and all letters are usually lowercase.

 

• Open Outlook Express (double click desktop shortcut or Start / Programs / Outlook Express)
• Click the Inbox icon

• The Message List Box (upper right window) displays a list of email.  The Message Text Box (lower right window) displays the text of the message you selected in the Message List Box.

 

 

Sending Messages

 

• Scroll down through the Contacts list in the lower left corner.  Double click on the person to whom you want to send a message.  An email window will appear.

 

 

 

 

• To add additional recipients, click the Cc: icon.  Select the recipients, clicking the Cc: -> icon after each.  Click OK when you are finished adding recipients.  To select multiple recipients, hold down the Ctrl key and click on others.  To select a range of people, click on the first recipient, hold down the Shift key and click on the last recipient.

 

• Click in the Subject: line and add a short but meaningful subject.
• Click in the text box and type your message.
• When you are finished, click the Send icon.

 

 

 

Receiving Messages

 

• Click the Send/Receive icon
• New messages should appear in the Message List Box on the upper right.
• As you click on individual messages in the Message List Box, the text of that email will appear in the Message Text Box in the lower right.

 

 

Forwarding Email

 

To forward email to someone, click once on the message to forward and then on the Forward button.  If the email address is in your address book, click the To: button and select the person.  You can add a brief note in the message box.  Click Send.  If you work between a computer at home and one at work, you can forward email back to yourself and then get the message on the other computer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adding Contacts

 

·         Click the Addresses icon.

·         Click the New icon.

·         Select New Contact.

·         Enter their name in the First: and Last: boxes

·         Enter their complete email address in the Email addresses box.

·         You may enter additional information if you wish.

·         Click OK when you are finished.

 

 

Sending Email to Groups

 

            You also may send email to groups.  Click on the Addresses icon.  Click on the New icon.  Click on New Group.  Type a name in the Group Name box.  Click on the Select Members button.  Click on the person you want in your group and then click on the Select -> button.  When you are finished, click OK.  Click OK again.  Your group should appear in the list of contacts in the lower left corner of the Outlook Express window.  You can now send messages to that group just as you would an individual.

 

 

 

Attaching Files

 

 

You may attach files to your e-mail messages.  Click the Attach button.  Select the Look in: drop down arrow.  Find and click on the file.  Click Attach.  The file name will appear in a new box. 

 

The file will be sent just as it was created, so the person receiving the file must have the same software that you used to create the file.  If you wish to send a text document so that anyone can open it, when you save it in your word processor, save it as a text or RTF file. Some formatting codes will be lost, but anyone can open the file.  It is a good idea to ask the recipient of the email in advance what word processor and version they use.  If they are using Word 97 or above, they should be able to open your Word 2000 files.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature File

 

A signature file will automatically put a short blurb at the end of each email message.  To create a signature file, go to Tools, Options and Signatures.  Click the New Button and then type your text in the Text window below.  Add your name and e-mail address (and perhaps phone number). Keep it short. Do Not include your home address.  Click OK.

 

 

 

 

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E-mail Etiquette

 

·         Use humor with caution.  Without the body language, what was intended as a joke may be taken seriously.

·         E-mail can be saved (and used against you).  Be cautious what you write and reread messages before you send them.

·         There is more than enough abusive mail, called flaming, on the Internet.  Don’t add to it. 

·         Do not type in all caps.  This indicates you are shouting.

·         Just because you see it on the Internet does not mean it is true!