First Steps
General Information
Your Email Address
Etiquette
Smileys/Emoticons/Abbreviations/Acronyms
Finding Email Addresses
Unsolicited Email (Spam)
Signatures
Privacy
Mailing Lists
Can I Send Email To ????
How To Access The Internet By Email
'Clickable Links' In Email Messages
'Dressing Up' Your Email Messages.
Sending & Receiving Files Attached To Email Messages
Email Virus Hoaxes
POP3 Mail
IMAP Mail
Web Based Email
For Macintosh Users
First Steps (Back To Top)
Before you try to send your first email message you should familiarise yourself with whichever version of the CompuServe access software you are using.
Locate the Help menu and search for entries on 'Email' and 'Mail.'
Also remember that whenever you are 'stuck' you can press the F1 key to get help on the particular part of the program you are using.
You should also visit (GO as we say in CompuServe) the Mail Center (GO word MAILHELP) for general information and FAQ (frequently asked question) files.
The following sections cover various aspects of using email and direct you to files in the libraries of the different CompuServe Internet forums.
Just click on the links to read or download the files.
Filenames ending in .TXT or .FAQ are text files and can be read on any type of computer. Filenames ending .EXE are programs designed to run on IBM PC type computers. When downloading programs make sure they are designed to run under your version of Windows (3.1 or 95.)
General Information (Back To Top)
There are many excellent online guides on how to use email efficiently and effectively:
http://www.webfoot.com/advice/email.top.html
Everything E-Mail ® - Info on E-mail Addresses,
E-Mail Software, E-mail Services, and more!
http://email.miningco.com/internet/email/
If you want to know how internet email works download WHAT-EMA.TXT
To learn how to send internet mail INET.TXT
For help in addressing internet email messages ADDRESS.TXT
Filename: MAILGUID.TXT
Summary: A very useful guide for addressing Internet mail between networks.
Your Email Address (Back To Top)
To make your numeric CompuServe userid more 'user friendly' you can GO REGISTER and convert it to a name like JohnDoe. Read PAFAQ.TXT for more information.
The 'classic' CompuServe account only allows for one email address. If you have a CompuServe 2000 account, you can have up to seven different email addresses. GO NAMES to setup additional users for a CompuServe 2000 account.
Etiquette (Back To Top)
Before you create and send your first mail message it would be a good idea to brush up on the online rules of behaviour. For example the most common mistake is to type your email message ALL IN CAPITAL LETTERS. This is regarded as SHOUTING online and is considered rather rude.
A WWW page that helps beginners understand the meaning of Netiquette.
Filename: RFC (Request For Comments) 1855
RFC 1855 - Network Etiquette (TXT) . .This document provides a minimum set of guidelines for Network Etiquette (Netiquette) which organisations may take and adapt for their own use. It also functions as a minimum set of guidelines for individuals, both users and administrators. . .This memo is the product of the Responsible Use of the Network (RUN) Working Group of the IETF.
Smileys/Emoticons/Abbreviations/Acronyms (Back To Top)
Because email messages lack the verbal and visual cues of face-to-face communication misinterpretations are easily made and can lead to irate responses (or 'flames.')
The following files give details of how you can add smileys :-) or 'emoticons' to your text to indicate where you are being humorous or facetious, and what those strange abbreviations you see in email messages really mean:
Abbreviations
or TLA'S (Three Letter Acronyms! :-)
Finding Email Addresses (Back To Top)
If you wish to find the email address of another CompuServe member and you know their REAL name then GO DIRECTORY
Finding internet email addresses is more difficult and it maybe easier and quicker to contact the person some other way to ask them for their details.
These files give some hints and tips and the EmailFerret program goes out and looks for email addresses.
The fastest way to find email addresses on the Internet. Find the email addresses of people, companies, or machines, by simply entering a name. Using EmailFerret, multiple search engines will be accessed simultaneously to gather the most comprehensive list of possible matches, while automatically discarding any duplicate results. Once a search is complete, users may save the results directly to their MAPI compliant address book. Alternatively, just double click on one of the addresses to send an email to that individual, immediately.
Filename: FINDADDR.FAQ
A set of frequently asked questions and answers regarding finding email addresses on the Internet.
See the companion file COLLEGE.TXT for information regarding finding college students' addresses.
Some other useful links
WhoWhere
WhoWhere? is a fast and simple to use search service for people and organizations on the net. Search using initials, full or incomplete names in any order, organization keywords. WhoWhere? will present you with a list of possible matches ranked in order of relevance.Four11
Looking for a person's email address? Try Four11, one of the Internet's largest white pages directory, now part of Yahoo! People Search. If you're searching for a Canadian email address try Canada 411.BigFoot
Offers free email addresses and forwarding. Search BigFoot's large database for email addresses.SwitchBoard
Find email addresses, addresses, businesses and more.Internet Address Finder
Search for addresses and email addresses, and add your own information.Info Space
Find email addresses, addresses, businesses, fax numbers for the United States and Canada.World Email Directory
A good source for email addresses in Europe and Asia.FAQ: How to find people's E-mail addresses
David Alex Lamb covers WWW search tools, as well as other techniques for finding email addresses, finding host names, and commercial networks.You will find even more search tools in Yahoo!'s collection of Email Addresses references.
Unsolicited Email (Spam) (Back To Top)
An unfortunate side effect of sending out email is that you will get back unsolicited messages in return. Usually advertising dubious get-rich-quick schemes. Such junk email is called 'spam.'
The CompuServe Community Action Team will be handling the following
areas on both Classic and CompuServe2000.
***************************************************************
To report a Terms of Service violation in an e-mail or in a file
attached to an e-mail, please forward the violating mail to the member names/e-mail
addresses below. We cannot accept copied and pasted e-mail messages.
ActionTeam@CS.Com
ActionTeam@CompuServe.com
To Report:
*Terms of Service violations
*Credit Card Fraud
*Chain Letters
*Unsolicited advertising
*Member created web pages that are
deemed inappropriate
TOSReport@CS.COM
TOSReport@CompuServe.com
To Send:
*Files containing viruses from other members
*Pornography
*Copyrighted software infringement
CSSPAM@Cs.com
Spam@CompuServe.com
To report:
*Internet Originated spam
If you use the Compuserve 2000 software, it is possible to block mail from specified addresses.
To Block Unwanted Email
1) Sign on with Master Name
2) Click Mail Center on Toolbar
3) Click on Mail Controls from the drop down menu
4) Click Edit
5) Select the Member name that you use and want to block the person from emailing you
6) Under the options below control from what sources this screen name can receive e-mail
put a dot next to Block e-mail from the listed Internet addresses and domains
7) Type Screen Name,full Internet address,orInternet domain: in the box below
8) Click Add
9) Click Ok
Now you shouldn't be getting anymore email from this address. If it is still getting thru.
then I would say that address you blocked is not a real email address its been forged. One
thing you should never do is to reply back to spammers as now they know
your email is active and you could start seeing a lot more. The best thing to do is either
just delete it or you can also forward the junk mail to the addresses listed above.
These files give you information on how CompuServe filters out the spam and what action you can take to stop it.
Filename: EMLABUSE.FAQ
Revised: The Email Abuse FAQ, by WD Baseley. Explains about abuse of email for unsolicited commercial messages, and includes suggestions for ways to counteract the email. Contact ideas and resources for more information included. Uploaded here with permission of the author.
Filename: BEENSPMD.FAQ
This is a guide to dealing with "spam" both on usenet and via email, intended for the beginner.
This FAQ attempts to give general suggestions on what you can do about spam, including how and to whom to complain, and where you can report spam and learn more, as well as some recommendations on what _not_ to do.
Filename: SPAMCTRL.TXT
This is a copy of a message sent out by Gail Whitcomb informing members about CompuServe's new Spam Controls.
Some other useful links:
TipZone - Spam
Is your electronic mailbox clogged up with junk email? Before you pull out your hair read these tips and FAQs on filtering your incoming email to automatically trash unwanted messages and other ways of dealing with junk email.The Mining Company
General information about spam with links to further detailed instructions on filtering etc.Unsolicited Email (SPAM) Issues
This Everything E-mail page briefly describes email and provides links to software tools you can use to stop junk mail and anti-spam resources. A good place to start.Email Abuse FAQ
Useful answers to frequently asked junk email questions.
Signatures (Back To Top)
Many people like to add a signature or 'sig' at the bottom of their email giving details of their name, email address etc. Consult the netiquette files for guidance on avoiding overly long or 'witty' sig files.
If you use Compuserve 2000, click Mail Center then click on setup signature. If you don't see this option then GO UPGRADE to download the latest version of CS2000.
This program will add them for you automatically (as well as doing lots of other things.)
Description: EMail Assist for CompuServe 3.0 (version 2.03)
Filename:
EACSI.EXE
EMail Assist for CompuServe adds three major features to CompuServe 3.0 or 3.0.1: SPELL CHECKING: a full-featured spell checker; SIGNATURES: insert your signature or any other text with the click of a button; QUOTING: easily quote text from any message into a reply message. All features are tightly integrated into CompuServe 3.0 through added buttons and menu items, and may be accessed without disconnecting or starting other programs. Shareware. Registration available by credit card or online (GO SWREG, ID #13154). By Rhino Bytes!
See EAWCSI.EXE for the CSI 2.6 version
Privacy (Back To Top)
All email systems are insecure and email can be intercepted (or even read over your shoulder!) So if you are concerned about making your email private and confidential you can encrypt it. The most popular encryption program is PGP.
The ITAR prohibits the export of certain controlled products from export outside of the US/Canada without a special (hard to obtain) license. The popular encryption package PGP (Pretty Good Privacy), among others, falls under these rules. To comply with the ITAR, NCSA has established a private library and procedure for US/Canadian members to access this software. Our regrets to those outside of the US/Canada.
Filename: PGPWHERE.FAQ
FAQ: Where to get the latest version of Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) electronic mail privacy program for your platform and country.
For general information on privacy CLICK HERE
Mailing Lists (Back To Top)
To receive email and exchange messages with groups of like-minded people you can join an electronic mailing list. There are 1000's of them!
You can search for mailing lists at http://www.lizst.com or at the list of Publicly Accessible Mailing Lists .
Setting Up Your Own Mailing List
Or perhaps you wish to set up your own mailing list?
Filename: MLM-SOFT.FAQ
Mailing list managers are the programs operating mail-based discussion lists -- ListProc, LISTSERV, and Majordomo are three well- known examples. This FAQ briefly describes the popular packages, tells you where they can be found, and offers advice on how to choose one.
Can I send e-mail to ???? (Back To Top)
Filename: INTLEMAI.FAQ
This posting gives a list of country codes with email accessibility. It is helpful in finding-out if a country has easy access to email and internet facilities and is aimed at general email and internet users.
How to Access the Internet by Email (Back To Top)
Although most people access the internet and the world wide web using a web browser program, it is still possible to access many resources simply by sending email messages.
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/internet-services/access-via-email/
'Clickable links' in Email Messages (Back To Top)
Often people will send you web page addresses in an email message. Ideally you would like to be able to click on these addresses to be connected to the web page. Unfortunately most of the versions of the Compuserve access software don't support 'clickable links.' In order to have this feature you will need to use the Email Assist addon program, or use a POP3 or IMAP mail program to read your email. However the latest version 6 of the Compuserve 2000 program does, connect to http://free.compuserve.com/dnld/dnld_cs2k.adp to download the program or to upgrade from your current version.
'Dressing Up' Your Email Messages. (Back To Top)
Many mail programs allow you to create email messages that are in hmtl coded text, rich text format (rtf), that have coloured backgrounds or fonts, that use different fonts and styles or that use stationery with pictures and sounds associated with the text.
All these ways of dressing up the plain text of an email message can cause problems for the recipient if they do not have a mail program that can read this type of message. For example most of the versions of the Compuserve access software cannot read html or rtf mail. Only another CS2000 user can read mail messages enhanced using the CS2000 program. Only a person using the Outlook program to read their email can read messages sent as Outlook stationery.
However the latest version 6 of the Compuserve 2000 program can read html coded text, connect to http://free.compuserve.com/dnld/dnld_cs2k.adp to download the program or to upgrade from your current version.
Unless absolutely necessary it is always best to create your email messages using plain ascii text (the letters and numbers that you can type using your keyboard.)
Sending and Receiving Files Attached to Email Messages (Back To Top)
As well as sending text email, most people want to attach non-text files (pictures, word processed files, spreadsheets, database files etc.) to their messages. Because the internet mail system can only handle text, these files have to be encoded before they can be sent and decoded on receipt.
The file ATTFAQ.TXT gives more general information and help on sending and retrieving files attached to email messages.
If your CompuServe mailbox has been upgraded to use the newmail system (GO NEWMAIL to do this) then the encoding and decoding is done (for the most part) automatically. The web sites listed below give you more information about this process and point you to the Decode Shell Extension program that will enable you to decode files manually.
Here is a web site address that has step-by-step instructions for Compuserve 2000 users:
http://members.aol.com/mfunduc2/examples/decode/decode.htm
To download the Decode Shell Extension program connect to this web site
address:
http://www.funduc.com/otsoft.htm#decodeshellextension
MIME FAQ
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/mail/mime-faq/
This posting contains answers to some of the Frequently Asked Questions
about MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions). Consists of nine
parts plus an introductory help document for those who have trouble
reading MIME messages in general.
A general word of warning. Increasingly files attached to email messages can carry harmful code, computer viruses, 'worms' and 'trojans' - all of which can damage the data on your computer and wreak havoc with your mail system. NEVER open an attachment from an unknown sender or that you have not requested. If in any doubt check with a site such as The MacAfee Homepage for general information and updates on the latest virus threats and hoaxes.
Email Virus Hoaxes (Back To Top)
You may receive an email message warning you about catching a computer virus from an email message called 'Good Times' or 'Join The Crew'
This is a hoax. Ignore it, delete the message and do not pass it on.
YOU CANNOT GET A COMPUTER VIRUS FROM READING A TEXT EMAIL MESSAGE
There are quite a few of these hoax warnings floating around the internet.
POP3 Mail (Back To Top)
More and more people wish to use programs other than their CompuServe access software to send and retrieve email. For example web browser programs such as Netscape or Microsoft Internet Explorer or programs that are especially designed to handle email such as Eudora or Pegasus Mail. Or you may wish to access you Compuserve mail from a location where Compuserve access is not available or from a computer that does not have the Compuserve access software installed on it.
These programs rely on a communications standard called POP3. The file POPMAIL.PDF in the EMAILCOMM Forum libraries tells you how to do this. It is a large file (500K) and needs the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it. You can download the reader program from the same forum.
Please note that if you use an online service other than Compuserve or a workplace LAN (Local Area Network) to make your connection, then you need to edit the smtp (outgoing) server setting in your mail program to that used by the other service or LAN. Connect to http://www.compuserve.com/communications/open_relay.asp for further information and instructions.
When changing mail programs, people often need to convert their address books and files of stored email messages so that they can be used by the new program. Connect to http://www.emailman.com/conversion/ for lots of useful links to web sites where you will find programs that will help do this.
IMAP Mail (Back To Top)
IMAP is another communications standard used to send and receive mail. If you have a Compuserve 2000 account then you need to setup your mail program to access your mailbox using IMAP.
IMAPFAQ.TXT - A FAQ describing IMAP for CS2000. Includes information about handling attachments and configuring Outlook Express and Netscape Messenger.
IMAPCLNT.TXT - A text file describing how to configure Outlook Express and NetscapeMessenger for use with IMAP for CS2000.
When changing mail programs, people often need to convert their address books and files of stored email messages so that they can be used by the new program. Connect to http://www.emailman.com/conversion/ for lots of useful links to web sites where you will find programs that will help do this.
Web Based Email (Back To Top)
If you are travelling you may need to access your email from a computer terminal in an airport, hotel or "cyber cafe." The Compuserve Webmail service will allow you to read your email from any computer with an internet connection.
http://www.compuserve.com/gateway/webmail for Compuserve "classic" members.
WEBMAIL2.TXT has further information and instructions.
http://csmail.compuserve.com/webmail/cs/login.tmpl for Compuserve 200 members.
Some Extra Information for Macintosh Users (Back To Top)
Many of the files listed so far (.TXT .FAQ .PDF) can be viewed on your macintosh computer. However the programs (.EXE) will not run on your macintosh.
For decompressing and decoding attachments to email messages you should download and install: