There are two ways to add text files to an Outlook Express Internet Mail message: You can insert it, or you can attach it. Which should you do? The answer depends on the file. If the file is very short, it may be easier for the recipient to read an inserted text file. To insert a file, create your message, choose Insert, Text from File, and then select the file you want inserted. If the file is longer, you may find it easier to attach the file to your message. In this case, choose Insert, File Attachment and select the file to attach.
You can trick Outlook Express into thinking all of your messages are read. Press Ctrl-A to select all the messages and then press Ctrl-Enter to mark all the messages as read. The opposite works too--if you want to mark as unread all your messages, press Ctrl-A to select them and then press Ctrl-Shift-Enter. If they're all junk, you can also press Ctrl-A and then press Delete--and not worry about them again.
When you send attachments to someone, try to keep the files generic. That is, if you need to send text files, use the WordPad format--something everyone has. Although many people use Word or WordPerfect, plenty do not. So sending a Word file may cause problems for some of your recipients. As a general rule, don't send special format files (from word processors, etc.), unless you're sure the recipient can read them.
There are currently a number of sites offering free e-mail. The cost is that your name and the information you enter are available for commercial use. Most people don't find this a problem, since their names and other personal information about them is rather well circulated already. It's a good solution for people who have e-mail through work but want a less formal address for personal use. If the idea of a VERY personal e-mail address appeals to you, check out
http://www.starmail.com
Choose from a selection of domain names with plenty of attitude to create an address for yourself like, say, Peewee@rednecks.com, Bud@localbar.com, or Anxious@married-not.com. The advantage here is you can set it up to forward your messages to your primary e-mail account. If you change your ISP later, all you have to do is change your forwarding address. This way, you can keep the same e-mail address no matter how many times you change ISPs. Another good offering is at
http://netaddress.usa.net
You choose your user name and you'll get a nice short domain name, usa.net. Your address will be something like RayG@usa.net.
When replying to e-mail messages and newsgroup articles, you want to get your point across. But that can be difficult unless your recipient knows exactly what you're talking about. One way to guarantee that the recipient understands your references is to quote the original message in your reply. To do this in e-mail, open Internet Explorer and choose Tools, Options. Click on the Send tab and make sure the check box labeled Include Message in Reply is selected. Click on OK to close the dialog box.
Do you rely on your PC for everything, to the point where the only address book you have is the one in your e-mail program? Shame, shame. If your system crashes, not only will you be really upset, but you won't be able to call anyone to tell them about it! Back up your address book regularly. In an Explorer or My Computer window, find your address book and take note of its location. (For example, if you use Outlook Express, this file has an extension of "wab". With a disk in your floppy drive, right-mouse click on the file, select Send To, and then choose 3 1/2 Floppy (A). (Or if you prefer, copy the file to your disk in some other way.) If you ever need to restore this file, just copy it from the disk back to its original location (in this case, the Windows folder).