I’ve received a few comments lately regarding the email links on the pwoc.org website. If you use a Mail Client like Outlook, clicking an email link on the site automatically opens a new email message with the address line prefilled. But what if you don’t use a Mail Client? Then what?
1. Mail Client
The first option, of course, is to get started using the Mail Client that’s already on your system! If you’re using a PC with the Windows Operating System, then you probably have Outlook Express, at least, already on your computer. Since most military households also have the Microsoft Office suite on their home machines, then you probably have Outlook, too, which is the full version of Outlook Express. Either way, there are many benefits to using a Mail Client. Read here for more on that topic.
2. Gmail
If you use Gmail, offered through Google, you will need to download a free plug-in. Look for the Gmail notifier using your favorite search engine and follow the instructions. Once installed, this plug-in will take over the mail command in your browser allowing you to click a mail link and move directly to your Gmail account to compose a new message.
There is a different plug-in for Windows and Mac and works in the three major browsers, Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari.
If you’re using Firefox as your Internet browser, read through the ‘Yahoo’ section as you’ll have another option that involves no downloading!
3. Yahoo
If you use Yahoo mail, Internet Explorer and Safari offer no real solutions. Firefox, however, does! Mozilla Firefox, a free download, offers real customization from its Preferences menu.
On a PC, from the Firefox toolbar, select Tools > Options. In the window that opens, select Applications. Scroll down the list until you see ‘mailto.’ To the right, under the Action column, click the down-arrow and select the webmail handler of your choice.
On a Mac, from the Firefox toolbar, select Firefox > Preferences. In the window that opens, select Applications. Scroll down the list until you see ‘mailto.’ To the right, under the Action column, click the down-arrow and select the webmail handler of your choice.
4. Windows Live Mail (Hotmail)
Windows Live Mail (Hotmail) was built for Internet Explorer so Firefox and Safari won’t be any help. From the Internet Explorer toolbar, select Tools > Internet Options. The window that opens will have a number of tabs at the top, select Programs. Where you see ‘Email’ in the list, click the down arrow and select Windows Live Mail (or Hotmail) and OK to exit.
If you’re using Windows Vista, start by downloading the ‘Registering Hotmail with the Default Programs tool.’ Enter those terms into your favorite web browser to find the download link and super easy instructions on how to use the tool.
Note that Windows Live Hotmail will open in Internet Explorer regardless of your default browser.
5. None of the above
If none of the above options works for you, there are a few final tips.
If you’re using Firefox or Safari, using a right-click over the link will give you a pop-up menu where you can select ‘Copy Email Address.’ Using Internet Explorer, the menu option would be ‘Copy Shortcut.’
Finally, using any of the three major browsers, placing your cursor over a mail link (aka hover) will display the mail link in the lower-left margin of your browser window. This only works if your cursor is hovering over the link, though, so copy.and.paste is not an option.
Okay, that’s it! I sure hope these tips have been helpful.
To offer comments or suggestions for future Tech Tuesday topics, don’t hesitate to send Tracy an email using any of the options described above!
