Lesson 3
Exchanging e-mail

There are many e-mail services available. We will use Gmail from Google as our example and discuss the other services available in class. Gmail is a Web mail that allows you to exchange e-mail messages with people around the world. Web mail is kept on the Internet and you have to be on line to access it from the server. Client mail can be downloaded to your computer, from the Web mail, and you do not have to be on line (the Internet) to read it. Client mail can be Out Look Express, Hot mail, Thunderbird, Yahoo, Evolution etc.and will receive from from the Web mail to your client mail on your computer.
1. Click Start on your computer. Click on your web browser ( Firefox,Chrome or Internet Explorer, Opera,Netscape,etc.)
2. Your web browser will take you directly to the Internet, if you are connected to an Internet provider and on line.
3. In the address bar, type in Google in Vista, or www.google.com if you are in the XP operating system.
4. If you do not have a gmail account we will walk you through the application so you can get a web mail site, and additional email address. We recommend that you have at least two email addresses, so that you have one address for any email applications on the Internet, and a different one for your family and friends. Email addresses are taken from the Internet for spam and will go to the address you give out on the Internet as your email address. This is why you do not want to use the address of your friends and family's email out on the Internet. This is also why you want to use the bcc for the addresses you send out on email, to prevent the headers on the email from being spammed on line.
5. The Inbox folder stores the messages sent to you.
6. The Draft folder temporarily stores messages that have not yet been sent.
7. Sent Items folder stores copies of messages you have sent.
8. Deleted items stores messages you have deleted.
9.Spam stores items you have had filtered from your email. Unwanted messages go here.
Get new messages
1. You can set the settings to get your messages sent at any frequency. We will show the settings in class.
2. Your Inbox will show the number of new messages you have. Click on Inbox to receive these messages. Click on the message to read it.
SORT MESSAGES
Click the heading for the column you want to use to sort the messages. If you cannot see the heading you want to use to sort the messages, use the scroll bar to display the heading. (From-------Subject) The messages appear in the new order. You can click the heading again to sort the messages in the opposite order.
Print messages
You can produce a paper copy of a message displayed on your screen. Gmail prints the page number and total number of pages at the top of each page. The current date prints at the bottom of each page.
1. Click the message you want to print.
2. In the upper left hand corner of the desktop click File.
3. Click Print. The Print dialog box appears and at the bottom of the page click OK to print the message.
Mark a Message as unread.
Marking a message as unread can remind you to later review the message.
1. Click the message you want to mark as unread.
2. At the top of the toolbar click on EDIT.
3. Click Mark as Unread. The message now displays a closed envelope and appears in bold type.
Checking for new messages automatically.
You can have Gmail check for new messages automatically.
1. At the top of the toolbar click TOOLS.
2. Click Options. The Options dialog box appears.
3. This option indicates whether Gmail will automatically check for new messages. Click this option to turn the option on (x) or off.
4. Double click the area to the right and then type how often you want Gmail to check for new messages.
5. Click OK at the bottom of the page to confirm your changes.
You can compose and send a message to exchange ideas or request information.
1. Click Compose Message (below the File button). The new message window appears.
2. Type the e-mail address of the person you want to receive the message.
3. To send a copy of the message to another person, click one of these areas and then type the e-mail address.
4. Click the subject area and then type the subject of the message.
5. Click the body of the form and then type the message.
6. Click Send to send the message.
Gmailstores a copy of each message you send in the Sent Items folder. You can send a message to more than one person.
Cc or carbon copy will send an exact copy of a message to a person who would be interested in the message.
bcc or blind carbon copy will send an exact copy of a message to a person without anyone else knowing that the person received the message.
Working with your address book.
When you receive e-mails from individuals you can include them in your address book by right clicking on their name in the From area and a dialog box will come down. Click on send to address book and the person’s e-mail address will be saved in your address book. Click on your contacts and you can add a new contact by clicking on New, Contact, and then filling in the form provided. We will practice these lessons in class.
Format messages
You can change the design and size of text in a message to make the message more interesting and attractive.
To change the Font
1. Compose a message. To select the text you want to change to a new font, drag the mouse over the text.
2. Click Ariel and down arrow to the right to see the list of available fonts.
3. Click the font you want to use. The text changes to the new font.
4. To deselect text, click outside the selected area.
To change the font size
1. Select the text you want to change to a new size and drag the mouse over the text.
2. Click the number area to display a list of the available font sizes.
3. Click the font size you want to use. The text changes to the new size.
4. To deselect the text, click outside the selected area.
You can use the bold, italic and underline styles to emphasize information in a message.
1. To select the text you want to change to a new style, drag the mouse over the text.
2. Click one of the following styles. B bold, I italic, or U underline.
3. The text appears in the new style. To deselect text, click outside the selected area.
4. To remove a bold, italic or underline style, repeat steps 1 and 2
You can change the color of text in a message to draw attention to important information.
1. Select the text you want to add color to, drag the mouse over the text.
2. Click the color button, next to the U underline button, to display a list of the available colors.
3. Click the color you want to use.
4. The text appears in the color you selected.
To delete a message:
Highlight the message and then press the Delete key.