September 98 Column
Note:
If you are having difficulty reading this page, try using the Netscape
Browser instead of Microsoft Internet Explorer.
My email is in dire need of housekeeping. Currently, over 100 messages in my trash need to be either deleted, filed or followed up on. They say piles of paper represent post-poned decision making. In this case it’s email. Needless hours of dread and work could be eliminated if email is filed promptly upon receipt.
This particular column is biased toward Netscape users, but I.E. 4.0 contains similar tactics, so the adventurous can follow along and persevere.
How To File?
1. At the top of your browser screen, you can
file messages via one of two user-friendly locations, either the
Message pull-down menu, or the “File” icon situated between icons “Forward”
and “Next”.
2. You must have folders in order to file.
Folder creation is akin to creating directories and subdirectors on computer
drives. In the “File” pull-down menu click on “New Folder”.
It makes sense to create folders under the generic “local mail”.
Use the down arrow to scroll the box to see and select your choice.
3. I created several sub-folders, “Family”, “Friends”,
“John”, “Computer” and “Writing” under “Jana’s Files”, a general folder.
4. After the files are created, select a piece
of inbox mail with the mouse.
5. Click the “File” icon, select a folder, and
voila!
Junk mail is often a consequence for anyone who
logs Internet time or receives mail through the U.S. Post Office.
How does one avoid mail box clogs? Although many solutions exist,
one is a click of the mouse away.
Junk Mail Filters
1. In Netscape, click on “Mail Filters” under
the Edit pull-down menu.
2. Click on “New”.
3. Choose a meaningful name for the filter (perhaps
part of the sender’s address).
4. Selecting a setting is like filling in blanks:
“if sender name includes” <blank> (your filter requirement, such as
the sender’s address), “then move to the” <trash bin> (or a predetermined
folder you created, such as “sales” or “money scam”) or avoid reading and
filing mail altogether by selecting <delete>!
Another tip for email users is to compose letters
off-line. This is helpful for those who a.) don’t
have time to respond on-line, b.) deal with unpredictable,
flaky ISPs which disconnect, c.) prefer not to be rushed during letter
composition, or d.) get nailed with long distance phone charges.
Composing Off-line
1. Open your browser (Netscape or I.E.).
Do not let your browser connect to the Internet. Click “Cancel” or
“Stop” or “No” when it says it is trying to connect.
2. When your browser is open, it may again attempt
to connect. Disallow this by clicking on the aforementioned commands.
3. Click on your mail icon as you normally would
to receive your mail. When your mail screen pops up, your browser
may try to log on-line and access your mail messages. Disallow this.
4. Disconnected, you are free to read your old
mail, reply to it or create new messages as you normally would on-line,
with this caveat: instead of clicking on “Send” mail, click on the “File”
pull-down menu and select “Send Later”. This immediately sends the
newly created mail to your Outbox.
5. The next time you are on-line, simply click
on “File” and select “Send Unsent Messages”. To confirm the messages
have been sent, click on your Outbox, which should be empty.
(September)