You may have friends and family scattered all across the United States and even the world. Or maybe you're hoping to meet people from across the US and the world. Thanks to the Internet, you can send messages or even talk to people right through your computer.

E-Mail

Even with the multimedia excitement of the Web, Electronic Mail (e-mail) is the most frequently used application of the Internet. Many people who have access to the Internet at school, home, and work use the Internet for no other purpose than to send and receive email. All you need is the e-mail address of the person you wish to write to. All e-mail addresses are like the following:

Where username is the name of the person's mailbox and domain.com is the service that is hosting the e-mail. Here at Intrex, your e-mail address would be "username@intrex.net" (again where username is the account name you signed up with).

Sending an e-mail is easy. Start what is known as your e-mail client. Outlook Express and Netscape Messenger are 2 common e-mail clients (and are usually part of the package you downloaded when you installed your web browser). To create a new message, choose "New" or "Create", type in your friend's e-mail address in the "To:" Field, the Subject of the message in the "Subject:" Field, and then what you want to say to them in the body of the letter below. When you are done, just press Send. The mail will be delivered to that person's e-mail address and will wait there until they check for it.

Likewise, when someone sends you e-mail, it will be held on Intrex' Mail Server until you check for new messages. Any mail you do have will be downloaded to your computer, and you can then read the message and reply to it if you wish.

You can also use e-mail to request information or send feedback. Many web sites provide the address of the person responsible for what you are viewing. When you visit a Web site, click on the Webmaster's email address to let them know what you think. You can read an interesting article online and immediately send the author an email.

Chat

Chatting has grown into one of the most popular activities on the Internet. Unlike e-mail, chat is done in "real time". That means the person (or people) you are chatting with see your messages right away.

When you sign onto a chat service, always use a username or nickname. Don't give out any personal information to people you do not know. Just as in real life, most people you meet online are honest and genuine people, but there are those who could take advantage of you if you are not careful.

Chatrooms and IRC Channels may seem a little intimidating at first. It is suggested that one listens (or "reads" as the case may be) before speaking (or "typing"). Just remember a few ground rules.

1. Typing in CAPITALS is considered the same thing as yelling. When you type a sentence completely in capitals in a chat room, it is assumed that you are making a point or yelling that sentence. Most chat rooms frown upon the constant use of capitals, so remember to turn off that CAPS lock key when chatting.
2. Most chat rooms do not permit the use of vile language within it. If you insist on using vile language in a chat room you stand the risk of being expelled from that particular chat room, so it is best to refrain from this use.
3. Insults and other hurtful or annoying statements are extremely frowned upon by most chat rooms. Some chat rooms will ban you from any further use of their facilities if you insist upon making insults. So it is best to refrain from making these remarks.

If you have a microphone and a sound card and/or a Web Camera, a number of chat programs will let you talk to the other person (as if you were on the telephone) or even see what they are doing! Again, be careful with someone you do not trust. But this can be a great way to stay in touch with someone especially if he/she is far away from you.

Popular applications you can use:

AOL Instant Messenger. You do not need to have an account with AOL to use AIM. This program is also included with Netscape. This is the most common Chat application.

Yahoo Messenger. Provides one on one chats, chatrooms, video and audio communications.

Microsoft MSN Messenger. Similar to Yahoo's chat program.