Computer Helps ......

  1. How do I setup my email using Outlook Express... ?
  2. How do I Create a Shortcut on the Deskktop ... ?
  3. How to Shop on Ebay... ?
  4. How to Sell on Ebay ... ?

How to setup your email using Outlook Express ... ?

Open Outlook Express (from here on called simply Outlook).

If you have not previously used Outlook it will run  you through the setup wizard.  (You may skip the setup wizard section if you have already run through it) Manual Configuration
 
 
Next to Display name: Enter Your Name Here 

Click on Next >

 

 
In the E-mail address: field enter your reply-to address for e-mail. 

This will be the email address that you want people to reply to such as: login@best.com 

If you have a custom domain you may use 

anyname@yourdomain.com 

click on Next >

 
 
In the Incoming mail (POP3 or IMap) server: 

enter information that you received from your Internet Service Provider. this will be in the form of 

shell??.ba.best.com (or incoming.best.com) 

In the Outgoing mail (SMTP) server: 

the outgoing mail server is something like this: smtp.best.com

Click on Next >

 
 
Make sure the Log on using: button is marked.  

In the POP account name: enter your login name 

In the Password: enter your password 

Click on Next >

 
 
 In the Internet mail account name: you may choose anyname you like, this is what Outlook will name the account. 

 Click on Next >

 
 
If you are dialing into your Internet Service Provider, Connect using my phone line should be marked 

If you are connecting through your company's network you will want to select Connect using my local area network (LAN) 

Click on Next >

 
 
You will want to select Use an existing dial-up connection and select the connection that you use for your Internet Service Provider

Click on Next >

 
 
You will see the Congratulations window if you have successfully used the setup wizard. 

Click on Finish

You will now see Outlook Express


If you have any problems with the setup wizard you can manually go through the configuration following the instructions below.

 
Select Tools and click on Accounts...
 
 
Select the account that you created for your ISP.

(If you click on Add it will run you through the setup wizard again) 

Click on Properties

 
 
In the Mail account box 

you many choose anyname for this field. 

In the User information box 

Name: your login/username 

Organization: this can be left blank or you may put your company name 

E-mail address: this will be your email address that you are setting up now

Reply address:  you may use any email address that you wish people to reply to you with

 
 
Click on the Servers tab 

The Outgoing mail (SMTP): something like this: smtp.best.com 

The Incoming mail (POP3): something like this: incoming.yourisp.com

Select Log on using 

Account name: enter your login name 

Password: enter your password 

Click Apply

 

 

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Creating a Shortcut on the Desktop ... ?

 

  • Creating a Shortcut on the Desktop
    There are several methods for creating a shortcut icon in the desktop.
    -
    • Right-click on the document and select Create Shortcut.
    • If the desktop is visible and you can see a file in the Explorer, right click on the file, drag it to the desktop, release the mouse and select from the pop-up presented to you, "Create shortcut(s) here".
    • Right click on an empty space on the desktop.
      Select "New" from the pop-up window
      Select "Shortcut" from the next pop-over window
      Click on the browse button and find the file you want
      click on the file name (to highlight it) and press the "OPEN" button
      The file name will appear on the "command line" part of the window
      click Next
      Type a name in the "Select a name for the shortcut" text box that you want to appear below the icon and press Finish
      The icon will appear on the desktop

 

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How to shop on Ebay ... ?

  http://www.ebay.com

At the very bottom of each item's full listing page, there is a bidding form.  To the right of that form are great step-by-step instructions called "How To Bid."   They go like this:

1.  Register if you haven't already.

Click on the word "Register".  It will take about five minutes to fill out a simple form with basic information.  Very easy.  After you complete and submit the form, you will immediately receive a confirmation via email from eBay, telling you everything is ready to go!

2.  Read feedback comments left by others about this seller.

This feature of eBay is really quite brilliant.  By clicking on the words "this seller," (hyperlinked) you can read about the experiences of other buyers who have previously purchased items from this same seller.  Great information to have!

3.  Read payment and shipping terms, as well as the item description.
4.  Contact the seller before you bid if you have any questions.
5.  Make a bid!

You are now ready to make a bid! 

"HOW TO DO YOUR BIDDING ON EBAY"

Scroll down to the "Bidding" section and enter your maximum bid.  This figure is not necessarily what you will end up paying for the item, but is the maximum amount that you are willing to pay if the bidding steadily increases.  Setting a maximum amount is beneficial for several reasons.  It eliminates the need for constant auction monitoring, since eBay will, if necessary, raise your bid for you, and it sets a limit so that the buyer doesn't go crazy in a moment of auction frenzy. 

After entering your bid, you will quickly receive email messages from eBay, confirming your bids.

But wait, what's this????
"Heads up! Another eBay user has outbid you on the following item!" What?  Someone else cares about these items enough to go over your maximum bid of $xx.xx?  But you really want this item, how dare this person outbid you?  Suddenly, this was not about the fun of online auctions, this was war.  You were going to get this item -- forget about responsibility.  You frantically click on the link that eBay so thoughtfully provided in case you wanted to up your maximum bid.

Well, to make a long and bloody story short, the combination of the frenzy of the auction and your love for that item, resulted in you sending Patriot-One (an extremely nice woman who has made the transaction very pleasant) a check in the amount of $183.10 for an item that would cost about $100 less brand new!.  So much for maturity.  This eBay business could certainly become addictive, so watch out!

Check out my Ebay auctions. My seller id is billkellum@soundsgoodpro.com
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How to sell on Ebay?

Time To Clean Out the Garage?
(or, How to Sell On eBay)

Who are these people who sell their treasures on eBay, and what motivates them to participate? 

"I started, naturally, as a bidder on eBay. I'm sure you noticed the feedback system, and since I (along with everyone else who is starting out) had 'zero feedback and shades' by my user id, I thought it wise to build up some positives (as they say).  I believe that all bidders are just a little nervous about sending money to someone who hadn't yet proven himself/herself, so I thought I'd better buy some stuff first. 
I started by putting stuff up one up at a time, and from then on, I was hooked! It was so much fun to check the auction every chance I got, and to actually receive money!!

Then, I was in the garage once and decided that I needed to clean out some boxes.   I had things set aside to give to  Goodwill, but my wife saw all these 'give-aways' and said that I should at least try to sell it on eBay.  I could use some basic html to sort of spice up my ads.  To tell you the truth, I had so much fun designing my ads, that I even got some new software to play around with just for eBay. Well, you could sell all sorts of stuff from your garage or basement, and it is truly amazing what people are interested in (Cliff Notes, sheet music, you name it).

Around this same time Garage Sale Season started.  I picked up items that I thought would be fun to sell, and put them in the back of my car.  Every weekend I listed different auctions.  My goal was not really to make money, but to at least get back what I paid for each item, and so I kept a spread sheet to keep track of the paperwork. I just love watching my auctions, especially on the last day, and especially when I know I have quite a 'find' and am anxious to sell it to someone who is interested.  I still give a lot of 'junk' away that I don't think anyone would possibly want to buy, or is just to difficult to list or ship.  I like eBay in that I can reach a world-wide audience. Maybe someone out there is really interested in this 1997 Windows 3.1 Full Version software?

Wow -- makes you want to clean out that messy garage, doesn't it?  In speaking with other eBay sellers, the above insights seem to represent the typical eBay Seller's experience.  Ready to get started?   It's very simple -- all you have to do is register, fill out a short form, and sit back and watch the auction action!  eBay provides great resources to help you get started at  http://pages.ebay.com/help/sellerguide/index.html.

 The junk in your garage or your attic that means nothing to you may very well mean the world to a woman in Pittsburgh, a man in Paris, or even a couple in Portugal!
Happy Ebaying!

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