NETSCAPE EMAIL BASICS

 

 

 

NETSCAPE

 

Before using this packet please have set yourself up with an email account in NETSCAPE.  Your Internet Service Provider or onsite Technology personnel can do this for you.

 

Another suggestion before using this packet is to collect a few email addresses of friends to use for practice emails.

 

Ø      Indicates an action

 

 

Ø      Boot up your computer

 

If you do not know how to boot up the computer, please find the PC BASICS packet.

 

Ø      Look around and become familiar with the Desktop of your computer.

 

Windows 3.1 looks very different from Windows 95 or 98.  But you will be able to find the program components.

 

If you have Windows 3.1 your NETSCAPE ICON may be in a folder called Internet Applications.  If you are unfamiliar with the PC Desktop, please find the PC BASICS packet.

 

Ø      Look for the Netscape Icon

 

 

Netscape is called a Browser.  It allows you to view World Wide Web pages.  Internet Explorer is another popular browser.

 

 

Ø      Double click on the Icon to open Netscape

 

Your Monitor will look something  like this:

 

 

Across the top - is the title bar - it tells you the program and page that is open.

 

The next row down from the top is a tool bar.

 

Ø      Click on  COMMUNICATOR

 

The drop down box has several options.  We will explore two of them in this packet:  Messenger Mailbox and Message Center

 

Ø      Click on Message Center

 

A new window opens with the Netscape Message Center

 

 

The Message Center gives you information about the contents of your folders. 

Inbox     The number of messages currently in your inbox

Unsent  You may have created an email message but it has not been sent

            Drafts   There is an option to save a draft of your email.

Sent       A copy of any email that you have sent will remain in here until you delete it.  It you are wondering if an email was actually sent you can check the Message Center.

Trash     When you delete a message it is sent to the trash.  Then the trash must be emptied.

Samples  Netscape offers a few sample messages to show the extent of what can be done in Netscape Communicator

 

            Any other folders you have created to store messages will be there also.

 

Ø      Close the Message Center by clicking the X in the upper right corner of the message center window.

 

You are returned to NETSCAPE

 

Ø      Click Communicator on the tool bar again

 

Ø      Click Messenger Mailbox

 

A window opens that is your personal mailbox.

 

 

The Title Bar at the top tells you where you are

The next row is the Tool Bar with similar options to NETSCAPE but the drop down boxes will contain different options that pertain to communication features.

The next row is the Navigation Tool Bar

The Third is the Location Tool Bar

The fourth is the INBOX - it lists the mail in your inbox with the subject. Each message is on one line

The bottom section is the Viewing Area.  It will display the message that is highlighted above.  There is a small down arrow that will allow you to hide the viewing area quickly and expose more of the list of messages that have been collecting in your inbox.

There is a scroll bar on the right of the viewing area so you can scroll through your messages.

 

Let us return to the navigation tool bar.

 

Ø      Click - GET MSG

 

This will send the computer to the server and collect any messages there for you. 

If you had messages, go ahead and take a moment to skim them.

If you had no messages, don't despair, your friends, family and advertisers must not have your email address yet.

 

Ø      Click on NEW MSG

 

A new window opens

 

This is where you can create a new email message.

 

When the window opens the Cursor is in the address box.  It is preceded by the TO:

Here you can select an address from your address book or insert the email address of a friend.

 

Ø      Choose an email address to mail to - if you didn't bring any you can use mine.  

bstone@acadia.net

 

Be sure to enter the email address precisely.  An extra space or eliminated period will cause the email to be returned to you.

 

 There are four address lines.  Copies can be mailed to as many people as you would like.

 

Ø      Click in the SUBJECT box.

 

It is good practice to include a clear subject.  The email will send without any subject but as you will experience, it is easier to skim through your inbox and prioritize your mail when it has a clear subject line.

 

Ø      Click in the Body of the message

 

This is the large clear space under the formatting tool bar

 

Ø      Enter your Message

 

Ø      Click on SEND

 

 

IT IS FINISHED

 

THE MESSAGE IS SENT

 

 

To read your mail:

 

Ø      Click on the Message in your INBOX

 

The message will appear in the viewing area below.  You  can read it here OR

 

Ø      Double Click on the Message in the INBOX and it will open.

 

To DELETE mail

 

Ø      Click on the Message in the Inbox

 

Ø      Press DELETE on your Keyboard

 

 

NETSCAPE email can do many more things but that is enough for now.

 

Practice and enjoy - sending, receiving and deleting messages.