Emails are fundamentally different from paper-based letters. Because the turnaround time can be so fast an email is more conversational than snail mail. In a letter it is important to make things clear as the recipient may not have a chance to ask for clarification. With email documents, your recipient can ask questions immediately. Email thus tends to be like conversational speech and be sloppier than letters on paper.

Start your e-mail program by clicking on the “start” button [bottom left hand corner]. A choice of program icons will appear, click the “Outlook Express” icon or if you can see the Outlook Express icon next to the start button, click on it. Your email program should start.

Create a new email by clicking the “Create Mail” icon [top left hand corner of the email program]. This will launch a new message window.

In the TO box, type the name of the recipient. It should take this form: help@SuttonComputerServices.co.uk. Make sure you enter the address correctly or the message will return to you. You can send a message to more than one person by entering multiple addresses. Just put a semicolon (;) between each address or you can send copies (Cc:). Your return address is automatically sent to the recipient. Type the subject of the e-mail in the subject box. To write your message, click anywhere in the message window. To send your message, click on the Send icon.