email

[Mr-H]

I use Vista as my OS, and therefore 'have' to use Windows Mail. However, if I want to email someone using their address on their website, a double click on that looks for Microsoft Outlook. How can I get this loaded and working please?

[Craftypig]

Create yourself a hotmail account, its easy and negates the need for microsoft outlook, easy peasy.....

[AlBags]

You normally select the defauult mail client on your PC you want to use in this way in (Browser) Tools/Internet Options/Programs .. select under email.
You will not be able to configure your system to open webmail with this.

[Buenchico]

The link on a webpage doesn't direct to any particular mail client. It's your browser which selects the client which must be opened.

To the best of my knowledge, you can't get a free download of Outlook. It would be far simpler to tell your browser to open Windows Mail. I assume that you're using Internet Explorer as your browser (silly, very silly!) so the following instructions should be roughly correct. (You're probably using a later version of IE than I've got - unused - on my PC, so things might have changed a bit):

Go to Tools > Internet Options > Programs. Use the drop down menu to direct emails to Windows Mail. Click 'Apply' and 'OK'.

Chris

[Mr-H]

Thanks Chris. But instead of IE8 what do you recommend I use, and why please?

[Buenchico]

The vast majority of the 'regulars' here in AB's Technology section use Firefox:
http://www.mozilla-europe.org/en/firefox/
It's a great browser when simply used 'as it comes' but it really excels when you use some of the optional add-ons. Among the most popular are the British English dictionary (which is currently spell-checking this post as I type)
https://addons.mozill...US/firefox/addon/3366
and AdBlock Plus
https://addons.mozill...S/firefox/addon/1865/
which means that I don't have any ads down the right-hand-side of my screen (so this page loads much faster).

There are lots more useful add-ons for Firefox. For example, when I view a Youtube page it appears complete with a set of links (for different formats) which let me download the video to my hard drive in a single click:
https://addons.mozill.../firefox/addon/10137/

Chris

[Mr-H]

Thanks - I have got Firefox on the PC, but I suppose I've simply found it more convenient to use IE. However, I'll try switching and see how I get on. Thanks again.

[Mr-H]

I tried to install Adblocker, but got this:
Firefox could not install the file at
http://releases.mozil...ns/1865/adblock_plus-
.2-fx+sm+tb+fn.xpi
because: Signing could not be verified.
-260

Why? The dictionary has downloaded.

[Buenchico]

It might be that you've got a version of Firefox on your PC which isn't compatible with the latest version of Adblock Plus. Go to 'Help > Check for Updates' to ensure that you're using the latest version of Firefox.

Chris

[Mr-H]

Do the add-ons run automatically after installation or do I need to do something else please?

[Buenchico]

The add-ons should run automatically but AdBlock Plus only works if you've subscribed to a relevant service. (Don't be put off by that word 'subscribe'; it' doesn't involve any payment!). You can either choose a subscription during the set-up process or do it later. If you've not got a subscription go to Tools>Add-ons. Click on AdBlock Plus and then on Options. Click on Filters>Add Filter. Then choose a suitable filter (such as 'EasyList') from the menu.

Chris