3.4.12.5 E-Mail

Windows 98 and Internet Explorer are designed to work with your preferred e-mail program. The installation routine checks your system for installed e-mail programs and lists them in the Mail drop-down box on the Programs page of the Internet Options dialog box (accessed from Internet Explorer’s view menu). If you upgraded form Windows 95 with Microsoft Exchange installed, it will appear on the list as Windows messaging. Outlook Express, which is part of the Windows 98 package, is also on the list. Of course, you can also open your mail program directly, either from the Start menu or form a shortcut on the desktop.

Starting Outlook Express

If your don’t already have an e-mail program-and even if you do-Outlook Express can handle your Internet mail very nicely. If you have Microsoft Exchange (left over from Windows 95) but find it complicated and difficult to use, give Outlook Express a try.

To set Internet Explorer to start Outlook Express, do this:

1. Start Internet Explorer (click Start>Programs>Internet Explorer).
2. Choose View>Internet Options>Programs.
3. Set the Mail drop-down list to Outlook Express.
4. Set the News drop-down list to Outlook Express, unless you have another newsreader you prefer.
5. Click OK.

Now, Internet Explorer will open Outlook Express when you choose Mail from the Go menu or when you choose an operation from the menu under the Mail button on the toolbar. You can start Outlook Express from the Start menu (click Start>Programs>Internet Explorer>Outlook Express) or, easiest of all, from its desktop shortcut.

The Outlook Express main window is designed like a Web home page.
Besides the usual menus and toolbar, six icons appear in the main window. Click any one of them for a quick route to the most common functions.

1. Read Mail Opens your e-mail Inbox.
2. Read News Opens your list of subscribed newsgroups.
3. Compose a Message Opens a window for creating mail.
4. Address Book Opens your address book.
5. Download All Connects to your Internet mail service and collects all your new mail messages.
6. Find People Allows you to connect to an Internet directory service (white pages) to find someone’s e-mail address.

The three bars at the top of the window-labeled Outlook Express, Internet Explorer, and Microsoft Corporation-are links to Microsoft Web sites. The first two take you to the Outlook Express and Internet Explorer areas, while the third links to a more general page.

There are also folders for items you’ve sent, items deleted from your Inbox, and items you’ve composed but decided not to send yet (drafts). Also in the left pane are any news servers, which you have set up in Outlook Express.

Adding an Internet Mail Account

If you want to have a second mail account through Outlook Express, you’ll have to enter it here. Read through the steps to make sure you have all the necessary information before you start. 

1. Select Start>Programs>Internet Explorer>Outlook Express to open Outlook Express.
2. In Outlook Express, choose Tools>Accounts. The Internet Accounts Dialog box will appear.
3. Click the Mail tab. Any accounts you have already set up will be listed here.
4. Click Add and choose Mail to set up a new account. The Internet Connection Wizard will start.
5. Enter the name you want to appear in the From field of messages you send from this account. Click Next.
6. Enter your e-mail address for this account. This is the address you chose when you established the account with your service provider. Click Next.
7. Enter the e-mail server names given to you by your service provider. There are separate servers for incoming and outgoing mail. Set the incoming mail server type (in the drop-down box) to either POP 3 or IMAP, to match the beginning of the server name. Click Next again.
8. Enter your logon name and password for this e-mail account. Click Next to continue.
9. Enter a “friendly name” for this Internet mail account. If you have multiple accounts, this name will help you tell them apart. For example, use names like “My Work Mail” or “Michael’s Netcom.” Click Next again.
10. Choose your method for connecting to the Internet. If you connect via a local area network or choose to connect manually, this is your last entry. Click Next, and then Finish or If you want Outlook Express to dial automatically to connect, choose Connect Using My Phone Line, then click Next.
11. To use a connection which is already set up on your computer, choose it from the list and click Next, then Finish or If you need to set up a new connection, choose Create a New Dial-up Connection, and click Next.
12. Continue through Wizard. You will need to enter the phone number you dial to connect to your Internet service provider, your username and password, and a name for the connection. Don’t change the advance properties unless you know you need to. Finally, click Finish.

Outlook Express can now connect to your Internet mail account to send and receive mail. If you need to change (or just check) any of the information you entered, re-open the Internet Accounts dialog box (see step 2 above), highlight the account name, and click the Properties button. You can also use the Internet Accounts dialog box to remove an account you no longer need.