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E-MAIL AND SPELL CHECKING For the majority of PC users, e-mail means using a web service like Hotmail, AOL or Yahoo, or using Outlook Express which comes with Windows (Windows Vista has Windows Mail - which is basically a repackaged Outlook Express that has built-in spam filters.). None of these have check-as-you-type spell checking. Outlook Express doesn't even have the ability to check spelling without you having installed another Microsoft product like Word as well. For AOL, Yahoo and Hotmail, there is the option to check spelling once the message has been composed, but that, too, is cumbersome and many people forget to check before sending. This can be every embarrassing to those who pride themselves on proper English and spelling. The only free e-mail client which has built-in spam filters, a simple interface and spell as you go typing is Mozilla Thunderbird. It takes minutes to download and seconds to install. It will import your e-mail accounts, mail and address book automatically and ask if you want to use it as your main e-mail program the first time it runs. It is highly recommended for security conscious individuals since it is safer than Outlook Express in how it handles e-mail. It is also compatible with all antivirus programs. Many Internet Service Providers are also posting instructions for using Thunderbird, though not all, so you should check with your provider if you think you'll need help. The only thing you'll need to provide Thunderbird on set-up is your e-mail password, which can be obtained (usually by changing it) from your provider either online or through their tech support phone number - unless, of course, you already have it written down somewhere. Beyond that, spell checking in an e-mail is pretty hit or miss and requires extra steps to make sure it happens before the e-mail is sent. In Outlook Express - assuming Word or another Microsoft word processor program is installed - you can click the ABC (check) button on the tool bar to check your spelling. Or you can click Tools -> Options, click on Spelling and make sure the check box "Always check spelling before sending" is checked, then click OK. For Yahoo, Hotmail, AOL and others, there should be a similar button or option to check spelling somewhere above the area you type in your message. But for those who use these web-based e-mails, there is yet another option for spell as you go typing: Mozilla Firefox. Firefox now provides a spell as you type feature for most (not all) fields on your web pages. It will underline misspelled or unknown words and you can right-click on it for spelling suggestions or to add it to the Firefox dictionary. This means you can spell as you go using AOL, Yahoo, g-mail and others and not have to sweat the possibility of sending an embarrassing misspelling - unless you want to. Firefox also adds increased security to your web browsing. For more on Firefox and its features, click here |
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