Standard Internet Mail This is the standard form of Email. Each user is allocated a mailbox on an Email server and this is accessed via an Email client program such as Outlook Express. When you connect your Email client to the internet it logs in to your mailbox, reads any new emails, storing them on your own PC and then displays the details when you click on an item. Generally as soon as the Email client has sent any outstanding emails and read any new ones, it disconnects from the Internet - emails can then be read offline. This form of Email is more suited to higher volume users, it works best from a single location (although roving users can be configured).
There are two stages to implementing your own Internet mail facility. First you need to install an Internet Mail client program. An Email client program is used to create Email messages, send and receive messages and manage your address book etc. A common Email client program is Microsoft Outlook Express, which is installed with Internet Explorer and is free of charge. The second step is to create an Email account with an Internet Service provider. Email services used to be charged on a monthly basis but there are several free services available today including Freeserve and UKfantastic to name but two. You email account will provide you with an Internet Email address, message storage areas and the ability to send and receive emails across the world!
To set up a new Internet mail account via UKfantastic, click the adjacent Icon, which takes you to their homepage. This page describes the various services available including the free email accounts and provides information on how to register and configure your email client.
Another option is to set up your Internet mail account via Freeserve, click the adjacent Icon, which takes you to the Freeserve homepage. This page gives you information on how to acquire and install the Freeserve software.
Many PC suppliers provide details of free email services provided by themselves or partner organisations. Outlets including Dixons, Currys and PC World offer free email services. Tips Both Hotmail and Freeserve provide free email accounts. However free accounts encourage take up and there are millions of mailboxes registered. As a result you may find that registering with your preferred mailbox name is not possible as it has already been allocated to someone else. Hotmail permits the use of the underscore character in email addresses so its worth trying firstname_lastname as many users are unaware of the option. Web based email and standard Internet email can be used together to provide the "best of both worlds". If you establish a standard Internet mail mailbox and a web based mailbox you can send messages between them. By using automatic forwarding from Internet mail you can arrange to send all Emails to your Web mail account when travelling or on leave - enabling easy access from a cyber cafe etc. Hotmail and Outlook Express are both Microsoft products and have been well integrated. It is possible to use the standard Outlook Express email client with a Hotmail account. This means that you can access your email via Outlook Express when in the office and/or via a Web Browser if travelling.   Close