NOOBS!
First, slow down. Getting frustrated only makes everything take longer.
Take a deep breath. Get comfortable and look around. Notice the pages you go to including this one. There are links (usually highlighted in some way within an entry most places or in the margins) and other things that may interest you. Exploring is important!
Now, you need and e-mail address. Choose an e-mail service that gives you the benefits you want and is easy enough to understand. Here are two very good e-mail services that offer many options.
Please note that I am giving you suggestions only. If you have better advice that’s great! I’m not paid to endorse or trash anything. These are opinions that I have formed from my own experience on the web and of course do not constitute rules but simple suggestions to make your experience smooth yet filled with potential.
COMMUNICATION
With a gmail account you can access everything Google has to offer. What do they have to offer? Well, they give you plenty of information at their site. Take your time and go there.
When you get to the Google page in the upper left hand portion you will find the links you need to get to gmail and start an account. Once you do that, in the upper right hand corner you will be ale to sign in. If you click the “iGoogle” link next to the sign in one, you can customize your Google page.
For those who work behind 100% filters at work, once you have your iGoogle set up, you can still see a portion of your e-mail screen. While you won’t be able to access the mail, you can see if you have received anything new.
Yahoo: Yahoo Mail : FREE
Like Google, you can access everything Yahoo has to offer. You should check it out
Much like the Google page you have to look to the margins to see where to go. I explain a little further down why I prefer the gmail, but going to each site yourself to see how it feels to you will help you decide. For me, yahoo is too cluttered but you can customize it as well.
There are other e-mail services that are wonderful. Mac mail through Apple is great and if you have a Mac, I suggest exploring it. Also, OPEN SOURCE (Free software!) Ubuntu, for instance, has e-mail. Explore it if you choose. I hear it is the next big thing and quite good.)
The Jist
Go to the place where you feel comfortable.
I have both gmail and yahoo accounts. I prefer the gmail as I said. It is easier to read and the ads do not block the space. In addition, the other services are outstanding. For example, Google has an online word processor ( google docs, very handy for collaborating or for teaching) that you can use to create and store documents online. You can access it from anywhere. Gone are your worries about forgetting a file at home or losing the flash drive. Also, I can use Google Maps to chart my walks and trips and as a user there, I can save those. Those are only two features that I have found helpful. There are more advantages like Google Reader and Analytics.
Yahoo has an online picture album where you can store photos from your computer after you download them from a digital camera. Flickr is the name of that service and it is free. It is a fun application and you can meet others if you choose using it.
But you’re just starting. Go to the place where you feel most at home. The two biggies are powerful search engines. They work to offer the most to their users. Still, it’s good to read about them to know what you are getting into. Some people are concerned about privacy issues. Both Yahoo and Google are generally thought to be safe, but if you want the details, read the user agreement when you sign up. If you do not agree to the terms, you do not have to use that service.
Services to avoid IMO (In My Opinion)
* Those that do not offer every option you want or are too confusing to use.
* Those that are linked to ISPs (Internet Service Providers). These companies change names and go under sometimes and you may not be with the same service provider for long. It’s best to have your e-mail at a place where you can get to it from anywhere.
You do not have to use the accounts provided by your ISP, and frankly, it can be an anchor to do so. If you move or decide to go with another provider you may have to spend hours figuring out a new system. Ugh in the first degree and completely unnecessary.
I have heard from someone who uses Roadrunner, a cable ISP, who is very happy with that mail system. If you feel that you are comfortable using the email from your ISP, do so. But understand that you will only have the extra benefits that ISP chooses to provide. They already have your business, so they may not care to offer all the extras.
* Those that have no benefits other than e-mail. If you are going to get one, you might as well get one that will serve as many purposes as possible. This will save you time if you intend to create things online.
SPEED
Okay, now you may wonder what is the best ISP to choose. Quite simply it is the one that offers high speed access and is the most cost effective for you. This is often different for different areas of the world, country, state and even some cities. And it is changing all the time too. Call your cable company and any phone company that provides high speed access and ask about costs and speeds.
One thing is sure: YOU NEED HIGH SPEED. Without it you will not be able to use the net to your best advantage. Get it. Look at the fee as an investment in your future. The world is at your fingertips with high speed. You are drumming your fingertips waiting for pages to appear without it.
EXPLORING
If you’re here, you used a search engine or you typed in the web address straight to your browser. So you know somethings about exploring already.
Each time you go to a page or hit a link on a page you go to a new place. (You can go back by clicking “back” in your toolbar at the top of your browser screen.) Look around the new places you go. Notice how things are set up. Doing this will give you more information. Often people overlook that there are links to help somewhere on a page. Also, if you need to contact someone at a page that represents a business, usually there is a place to do that. Sometimes it is very tiny and placed at the bottom of a page.
YOUR WEB PRESENCE
There are many options for you to explore and use if you choose. They will be addressed individually. Just click on the links below to take you to each one. But before you do become a presence online, either read this or read something else about how to be discreet.
Click on the categories below to find out more (or click on the categories in the side margin area).
EXPRESSION
RESOURCES
SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE SERVICES
Again, if there is an area that is wanting for basic information, please let me know and/or research it yourself. Drop a line and let us know what you find! We can get the best of this place together.
