Email
Electronic mail, or email, is a way to send messages to other Internet users. An email message is similar to a traditional letter, except that it is transmitted electronically over the Internet. You write and address your email message much like you would a normal letter, then send the letter from your computer out to the Internet, where it is routed to the computer of the person to whom you are writing.
Although most email messages consist of plain text, you can also include formatted text, pictures, sounds, and other computer files as part of an email message. For example, you could send a picture of yourself as an attachment to a normal email message to a pen pal in Australia.
While most Internet Service Providers include dedicated email as part of their service packages (and require the use of separate email software), some Web sites-including Netscape Netcenter-provide Web-based email services. With Web-based email you use your Web browser to send and receive messages, and you can access your account from any computer anywhere in the world!
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Internet Service Provider An Internet service provider (ISP) is a company that provides you with a connection to the Internet. Your computer dials into an ISP using a modem and a standard phone line; the ISP connects your incoming call directly to the backbone of the Internet. |
Netscape WebMail, one of the most popular, free Web-based email services, is shown in Figure 1.1.
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Figure 1.1 Netscape WebMail is a Web-based email service.
