Email is 'miraculous'. Type a message. Hit send. The recipient (almost always) receives it. Look in your Inbox. There's messages from others. Either way, bits of data were translated into electronic dits and dahs, transmitted (often half way around the world), retranslated back to their original form (words) and planted in our Inboxes.

Each email sent to you is actually stored on the computer (server) that your email service uses.

Web-Based Email vs. Email Software Programs

'Web-based' email like Gmail, Hotmail or your ISP (Internet Service Provider) Account requires that you log into your email account. Because (literally) millions of people use these services, they run slowly and each has its own limitations. They are all painfully slow and can be a nuisance when blocking good emails and email attachments.

Free web-based email is for personal use. Individuals have far fewer demands than businesses (transferring large files, communicating with multiple people, making efficient use of time, making a better impression on customers...) If you have been using web-based email for your business, you'll be amazed and pleased at what an email software program can do to streamline your email tasks and activities.

Email software programs are programs like Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express, Microsoft Mail (Vista), Eudora, etc. They are installed on and run on personal computers and run in the background, checking for new messages at time intervals set by the user (up to every minute).

Email software programs provide several advantages:

1) Email programs may be started when the computer is started. Mail is downloaded automatically and that eliminates the cumbersome task of connecting to a web-mail service, logging in and checking the Inbox. Alerts can be set to let users know when an email has been received.

2) They save time not only by automating email, but by allowing the sending of emails to multiple recipients.

3) Links in received emails are hyperactive. Clicking on them opens the intended destination. AOL users no longer have to copy and paste URLs into the browser address bar.

4) The Microsoft email programs (Outlook, Express, Mail) are almost always available on any Windows computer. (Look under Start > Programs.) and they may be used in conjunction with your current ISP service.

5) Google web mail allows email software programs to auto-retrieve Gmail messages and send email using the Google send-mail system.

6) Web mail tends to block attachments to emails. This is less of a problem with email programs.

Junk Mail

Both web mail and email programs have options to block spam  messages. Email programs provide more options in determining which emails and senders should be blocked or always allowed.

Summary

Businesses should definitely avoid using web-mail services and definitely should utilize an email program. There's no new expense is using Microsoft's installed email programs and they may be used with your current Internet connection.

Please refer to Start > Help and search Microsoft Help for information on how to set up and use Outlook or MS Mail.

Email Support (Add the domain name mm.st to your email program's Approved Senders List or White List to lessen the chance that spam filters will block our emails to you. Instructions)