WEBMAIL WORKSHOPWritten for SeniorNet Whitianga by Peter Bethell November 2013

What is Webmail?

Webmail uses the resources of your ISP (Internet Service Provider) to provide you with an email service via your web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome etc). Your mail is stored at your ISP in your Mailbox and is not downloaded to your computer. You use your browser to connect and communicate with your mail service (Xtramail, Slingshot, Vodafone, Orcon, Hotmail, Gmail, etc).

We will use Yahoo mail, Outlook Mail (Hotmail), and Gmail for this workshop.

The InternetModern Webmail is very easy to use and has some advantages and some disadvantages over email services carried out on your computer using Microsoft Outlook Express or other email programs.

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Advantages

1. The mail system is available to you anywhere in the world; all you need is a computer with internet access and a browser

2. You can use a Laptop, Tablet, or Smart Phone via a Wi-Fi, or using Cellular Data 3G or 4G

3. Your address book contacts list is always with you.4. You don’t download mail onto your computer, rather, you use your browser to

view and operate it.5. You can store important documents, pictures etc at your ISP in relative safety as

a backup, simply email it to yourself as an attachment.6. Because you have to logon, you become very familiar with your email account

details (e.g. you your Username and Password).

Disadvantages

1. Each time you use your webmail you need to logon.2. Webmail is slower than Outlook Express to use for some features (e.g.

attaching pictures).3. Webmail does not provide the linkage between the Microsoft suite of software

that Outlook Express or Windows Live Mail does.

Note: When using Webmail you are working via your Browser on the internet. To work in this mode remember that actions are carried out with “One Click”.

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YAHOO MAIL

Shown here is the access page to Yahoo Mail showing the username with space for the Password to be entered. Also note the area for Create New Account should you need one.

Webmail page opened after entering the password. These are the features

1. Standard folders

2. Mail list

3. Action Buttons Settings button

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Arrows for Reply and Forward Click the mail you wish to open and it is displayed

In this window we will point to some of the features that you will be familiar with if you use Outlook Express or Windows Live Mail.

The Move button allows you to organize any mail you wish to keep. Simply highlight the mail you wish to move, then select the folder you wish to move it to from the dropdown menu.

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The Spam Button allows you to move selected email to the Spam Box. This feature allows you to add spam to Yahoo Mail’s spam list thus building up their knowledge of what is Spam and what isn’t.

The More button gives a dropdown menu of the other functions available.

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WRITING A NEW EMAIL

Click the Compose button to open a blank email window.

Now you can go ahead and create your email and send it. A copy will be saved in your Sent folder. You have CC and BCC for copies to other recipients. There is basic word processing features e.g. Font, Bold, Bullets etc Attachments up to 25MB can be added to an email by following a simple process. By browsing your computer in the attachment process you can select and attach items.

Other Features

Messenger

Calendar

Contacts

Notepad

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GOOGLE GMAILGmail is one of a raft of offerings from Google. It has similar features to other Webmail providers, but has the advantage of giving direct access to the other Google offerings.

Here you enter your Gmail address and Password, by clicking the Stay signed in, you are able to bring up your Gmail without logging on. You should only do this on your own computer and if you are happy with security.

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Here we are logging in – note that you don’t need to enter the @gmail.com part of your email address.

Here is the Gmail page and it opens at the Inbox

This matrix allows entry to other Google products

Normal folders listed here List of mail Settings button here

Note the similarity to Yahoo – Gmail is similar in setout with some of the operating controls in different places.

Note that you can drag and drop emails into folders, create new folders and all those features offered in Microsoft Outlook Express.

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Here is an email from Grant Sidaway.

The message An attachment Reply Controls are available

Check out the Settings button

Here is how to Sign Out

Click the man shape and this menu will show Here is you Sign Out button

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TELSTRA CLEARCLEARNET

TelstraClear has been purchased by Vodafone so this is the logon screen for TelstraClear via Clearnet.

Here is the logon to Webmail

This is Clearnet Mail

Note the similarity with to others above. Folders Controls Email list

So no matter which Webmail you use, the systems are quite similar. We will take you through the skills of:

Creating mail along with attachments, font controls

Copying text

Repy, forward, CC, BCC, multiple recipients,

Creating extra folders

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Moving mail to folders

Having a cleanup in your folders

Any other questions

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