Using A presentation of the Elmhurst Public Library

What is Electronic Mail? is a way of using the Internet to send messages to other people. Faster than “snail mail”. Freely available.

How Can You Access ? Internet access service provider

What do Service Providers do? Give you an address. Maintain space for you where your messages are stored. Send your messages across the Internet to other users.

What is an Address? The address you give people so that they can write to you. Two parts: username and domain name

Difference between and Internet The ‘at’ sign Internet Addresses: Addresses: Yahoo! Mail: Hotmail: Gmail:

Different Kinds of Service Providers Work Internet Service Provider WWW (free or for a fee) We will focus on free providers on the World Wide Web.

Finding an Provider on the World Wide Web Word of mouth Advertisement, news and media Online directories

Directory of Free Providers Go to and type “Free Providers”

Choosing a Provider Look and feel Features (spell check, virus protection, attachments) Amount of storage space Fee versus free We will use Yahoo! Mail:

Registering for an Account To get an account with an provider, you must register by filling out a form. You can access this form through the main page of any provider.

Choosing a Username Yahoo uses the term “Yahoo ID” instead of username. Not caps-sensitive May already be taken (you’ll find out later)

Choosing a Password Caps-sensitive Letters and numbers At least 6 characters Something you can remember Type twice

Just in Case You Forget If you forget your Yahoo! ID or password then this information will help you to get access to your account.

Demographic Information & Interests This information is collected mainly for the purpose of marketing.

Human or Automaton By typing the letters that appear distorted in the box you prove that you aren’t a computer. Hackers design computer programs to automatically register fake accounts.This helps Yahoo! avoid registering people who aren’t real.

Submit the Registration Form Note that there are links to a “Terms of Service” agreement and a “Privacy Policy”. When you click submit you are accepting these. When ready, click “Submit This Form”.

Welcome to You probably have 1 unread message.

Signing Out Always sign out of your account when you are done. If you don’t then someone else can access your .

Signing In Go to Enter your Yahoo! ID and password Click “Sign In”

Main Yahoo! Mail Screen