Before answering that question, we need to spend a little time looking at how we are connected to the Internet. Starting at your computer, the first connection is to your ISP (Internet Service Provider). Your ISP contains your account that you log on to when accessing the net. This may be AOL, CompuServe, Pipex and so on.
Your ISP is then connected to the World Wide Web, which is an interconnection of servers all over the world. These connections are what form the World Wide Web.
When you e-mail someone, you are sending a file (your e-mail) from your ISP to your receivers ISP, where the file sits until that person logs on to their account and the ISP notifies them that a message is waiting for them.
Fortunately, this is all handled for us so getting your mail is a quick and simple thing!
What is an e-mail alias?
Computers just love numbers! Consequently, when computers send information (e-mail, files etc), they inform each other by using numbers. Connections are made to computers via their IP addresses that are all numbers.
Trouble is, we humans don't find numbers that memorable and we prefer to deal with names. This is where an e-mail alias becomes very useful indeed!
Most providers allow you to create an e-mail alias. This is a meaningful name that you can use as your address for people to send you e-mail. Like my address, ccruickshank@dial.pipex.com, this alias makes it easier for people to e-mail me.
So what is all that @ symbol stuff?
My Alias Name
Location Symbol
My ISP's Name ccruickshank@dial.pipex.com As you can see, there are 3 components to an e-mail address. So that the computer knows where my alias ends and my ISP's address begins, the @ symbol is used to separate them.
Subscribing to Newsletters
One of the most interesting things that you can get on the Internet are newsletters. These are written by people who have an interest in a particular subject and are prepared to send out e-mail to anyone who subscribes to their services. Some newsletters are free while others require payment.
You may come across newsletters whilst browsing the Web, and most require you to subscribe in a certain way. This usually involves sending an e-mail with particular text in the message area. Be sure to type the text in exactly as it is meant to be. This is because the sender uses special programs that examine e-mails and if certain text is present, they act upon it. This is usually to subscribe or to subsequently unsubscribe to a newsletter.
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