Beware the forward feature.
Remember that any email you send can be forwarded to anyone with an email account. If you want to keep your musings private, don't go public with email. Consider yourself warned!
Don't reply to junk mail (SPAM) Even if the email says something like - "To remove yourself from our mailing list please click on REPLY and put the word "REMOVE" in the subject field" - DON'T do it. What that really means is that this company won't send you an email, but they will sell your name to 10 others who will because you've just proven that you actually read and respond to email bulk mailings.
Double-check the "To" field.
It's happened many times: someone writes an email that's critical of someone else and inadvertently puts that person's name in the "To" field. Don't let it happen to you.
Avoid mass mailings.
If you can't decide where the message really needs to go, your recipients may decide for you. ( Think "trash." )
Don't reply if you don't have to.
And when appropriate, tell recipients that you don't need a reply. It will save everyone a lot of time.
If you get flamed, don't respond through email.
Pick up the phone and call the sender. Your voice conveys far more nuance than email, so you'll be less likely to get into an argument that both of you will regret later on.
When replying, keep original subject headings.
They make it easy to follow a discussion -- even if you think that your headings are wittier.
Don't look at email when you're doing something else.
If people are in your office, give them your full attention. That way you won't need to reread messages.
Ban company-wide emails.
Messages about bikes for sale and puppies that need a home just clog up the system and distract people from their work. Be brutal and ban them from your company.
Don't let messages linger in your inbox.
Once you've read a message, file it or delete it so you don't waste time reviewing it later on.
Everybody's overloaded, so make a high-priority email stand out.
Use the colored priority-check option, or add colored fonts when possible. But don't overdo it.
Outlook Express hints and MUSTS
Under TOOLS - OPTIONS - SEND - Mail Sending Format - PLAIN TEXT
unless you know the person you're sending to can read HTML (fancy) email with colors, fonts and pictures embedded, try to send as plain text.
Tools - Accounts - Mail - Properties
Advanced - Leave a copy on server
REMOVE from server after 4 days. {This advice is only for those who
check their email from work at home on the weekends. You want to be able to read messages
at the office on Monday as well as at home }