> E-Mail Links

A page may display a linked e-mail address for a specific person such as an instructor, TA or classmate. Instead of writing down the e-mail address, launching an e-mail program, and creating a new message, some web browser configurations will allow you to send e-mail directly by clicking on an e-mail link. This will cause a mail message box to appear. You can then create and send a message without leaving the page you are viewing.

Materials Needed

You will need e-mail software to send messages directly from mail links on web pages. E-mail software may come packaged as part of your browser software or it can be a separate, external program such as Eudora or Outlook.

If you wish to set the preferences in your browser software to use the included e-mail features, you will need to enter information about your e-mail service. If you will use your MSU NetID e-mail account, you will need to enter the following preferences in your web browser software:

• Mail server user name -- your MSU NetID user name
• Outgoing mail (SMPT) -- mail.msu.edu
• Incoming mail server -- mail.msu.edu
• Mail server type -- POP3
• You will also need to supply your full e-mail address as part of your identity. This will be in the format username@msu.edu. (This is needed so that your e-mails include your return e-mail address.)

For other mail services you will need to check with the service provider for information to enter.

Check it Out!

• If you have set up preferences in the browser software to send and receive e-mail, you can send a message directly from your browser software.
• If you use another program such as Eudora or Outlook Express, your browser may open that program to a new message area for you.
• If you have neither an external mail program nor have set up your browser to send and receive mail, you will receive an error message.
• If you receive an error message and would like to set up your web browser to send and receive e-mail, please see the help sections on your browser software for specific instructions. Please refer to the Materials Needed section above for information you may need to add in the mail preferences.

Try it!

Click on the link below to check whether your browser is set up to send e-mail -- then close the new mail message window without clicking send (this is not a valid address and you will receive an e-mail message full of errors if you try to send it).

claussan@north.pole

Put your mouse cursor over the address link. If you have a status bar active at the bottom of your web browser window, mailto:claussan@north.pole should appear. This means that when you click the link, the browser will interpret this link as a mail link. Try putting your mouse over other links. You can preview where the link will take you before you click on it!