Communicating through e-mail has become one of the most popular and useful of Internet services.  Millions of messages fly around the world each day, sent by people of all ages.  Sending e-mail messages may seem threatening to some, but the concept is very basic:  You are sending a letter, but instead of going to the post office to mail it, you send it electronically and at a much faster rate.

If you are signed up with an Internet service provider such as AOL, then you have a built-in e-mail provider.  If not, and you are using an Internet station here at the library, there are hundreds of free e-mail providers from which to choose.  Several factors affecting your choice of e-mail services include speed of web page response, ease of use, full features, and lack of offensive advertising.  Many companies offer free e-mail, but they are also in business to make money.  Free accounts and paid for versions are often on the same page.  Be sure to look for directions on signing up for the free service.  If you are prompted for a credit card number, start over!

An example of a popular, free e-mail provider is Yahoo Mail.  To sign up for a free Yahoo Mail account, go to the web site at Yahoo Mail (mail.yahoo.com):

Setting Up an Account:

• On the opening page click on the Sign Up link.  You'll get a long form to fill out to create your Yahoo ID or e-mail address.  All fields marked with an * must be completed in order to set up the account.
• There are three parts to your e-mail address:  Your account name, the @ sign, and the domain name, which, in this case, is "yahoo.com".
• Type in an original name combination to avoid duplication with other users.  Many people combine their first and last names together in different ways.
• Your password is Yahoo's (or any e-mail provider) way of verifying  your identity. Make your password more than 6 characters.  It's often good to combine letters and numbers and often your password is case sensitive.  If you make it fun, you'll remember it more easily. 
• You may always change your password if you forget it or it becomes too difficult for you to remember.
• Fill in the security information and complete the Word Verification area.
• Read the Terms of Service policy.  By clicking "I Agree" you agree and consent to the Yahoo Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
• Your registration is completed and a confirmation message was sent to the e-mail address you just provided.  Print out this page as it contains your Yahoo address, password and the security information you will need to change your password.
• Click on the Continue to Yahoo mail button.  You are now at your Yahoo mail page.

Reading Mail:

• To start reading your mail click on the Check Mail button at mid-screen on the left.
• There is a link to each of your mail messages under the word Subject in your Inbox.  Click on the link to open your mail and read that particular message.
• The top of the message tells you the date, who it's from, the subject, and who it's to, which could be just you or to additional people as well.
• At the top and bottom of the message, there are buttons for things you can do, such as reply to the message, forward (send) it to someone else, delete the message, or move it to a folder that you have set up.
• If you choose the Reply option, you will be taken to the Compose screen.  In this case, the information about who the message should go to plus the original text, is already filled in for you.  Just add your message to the original and click on Send. 

Sending Mail:

• Click on the Compose located near the middle of the screen.
• Fill in the address of your recipient, exactly the way they gave the address to you.
• Type in the subject of your e-mail.  The subject line is one important way the recipient decides if he or she wants to read your e-mail. 
• Go to the large, empty box and start typing your message.
• When you are finishing composing your message, click on the Send button.
• Click on the Mail button located on the top left of the screen to take you back to your Inbox page.

Deleting Mail:

• An important action you need to practice in order to manage your e-mail account is to delete your mail. 
• You can delete each message when you read it by simply clicking on the Delete button located at the top or bottom of the message screen.  If you have another message to be read in your Inbox, that message will be immediately displayed.  If not, you'll be returned to the Inbox.
• You can also delete messages from the Inbox list before you even read them.  Click in the small box in front of each message you wish to delete and then click on the Delete button.  All of the messages you selected will be deleted at once.

Other Features:

• Click on the Options button located at the top right of you screen to see some of the specialized things you can do with your e-mail account.
• Each option chosen is followed by a short explanation of what it allows you to do.
• Other useful links available on the Inbox screen include Folders, Addresses, and one of the most important, the Help link.
• When you are finished using your e-mail account, be sure, particularly if you are using a public computer, to SIGN OUT.  This will help insure your privacy.
• To sign out, click on the Sign Out located at the top of the Yahoo screen.