Don't type e-mail addresses.
Sometimes a correspondent will include an e-mail address in the text of the message. You will notice this because there will be the usual @ sign, and the word will appear in a different colour, or else it will change colour when you move your mouse over it. Of course, there will probably also be something in the text saying "Here is Tom's e-mail address".
You don't need to copy this e-mail address into the "To:" box of a new message. All you need to do is to click (or it may be double-click) on the word containing the e-mail address.
So if your correspondent says Tom's e-mail is tom_cat@cattery.com, just click on the address, and Outlook Express will open the Compose Window all ready to send to Tom. If you prefer, you can copy and paste this e-mail address into a New Contact panel in your address book.
The same convenience is waiting for you if your friend gives you a web address (URL=Universal Resource Locater, often called "The doubleyous").
For example, you get an e-mail from a magazine telling you that you can learn more at http://www.magazine.com.au There is no need to try to type this into the address bar of your web browser. Just click on this address and your browser will open and fetch the material from that site.
The process works on web sites as well. Of course you know about hyperlinks on web sites - just click and go. But if the web site gives an e-mail address, once again just click, and the web browser will open your e-mail program. Often the web site will not actually display the e-mail address, but it will say:
| If you have any comments, please e-mail the Webmaster |
then if you click on the word "Webmaster", the browser will open your mail program with a Compose panel ready to use, and the (hidden) e-mail address in the right spot..
© James Nelson, 2001.