Buzz
AOL Mail offers complimentary e-mail services to non-subscribers.
© Justin Sullivan/Getty ImagesAOL Mail, also known as AIM Mail, is a recent innovation in America Online's extensive history. While AOL has always provided e-mail services, it was previously restricted to paying customers and could only be accessed via its proprietary software package. However, in spring 2005, AOL introduced its first free Webmail service, called AOL Mail.
AOL Mail differs from AOL's traditional email program because it doesn't require specific software and is available for free to everyone, not just AOL subscribers. Like other Webmail services, AOL Mail operates over the Internet via standard web browsers such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, and more. Users can simply visit mail.aol.com, log in, and begin sending emails.
You can still download AOL's all-in-one Internet software and use the built-in email program (the latest version is called AOL Desktop, and it's free). For this article, however, we will focus on the Webmail version of AOL Mail.
AOL introduced AOL Mail as part of its transition from a subscription-based service to a Web portal. By 2005, Yahoo, MSN, and Google had already become popular free Web portals, offering news, Web-based e-mail, instant messaging, and calendar tools [source: eWeek.com].
To remain competitive in the Web portal race, AOL had to raise the stakes. In response, it launched AIM Mail with 2GB of free storage, a substantial amount at the time. Today, AOL offers unlimited storage for all AOL Mail accounts.
In this Mytour article, we'll walk you through how AOL Mail works, from creating an account to exploring both its basic and advanced features. Let’s dive in.
Getting Started
AOL Mail allows users to preview emails in a split-pane view, and easily access their buddy and to-do lists.
Image courtesy of AOLTo begin using an AOL Mail account, visit mail.aol.com and click on the button that reads "Get FREE AOL Mail." You'll be prompted to select an email address (for example: [email protected]) and a password. If you already have an AIM screen name, you can use it along with its corresponding password to log into AIM Mail. You'll automatically receive an AIM Mail address based on your screen name (e.g., [email protected]).
Upon logging into AOL Mail for the first time, you'll find the main screen displaying scrolling headlines from AOL News. All email functions are located on the left side of the screen.
On the left, you'll notice a list of icons and folders, starting with the Inbox. Your inbox is where all your incoming emails are stored. Click on the inbox icon to view a chronological list of received emails, sorted from newest to oldest.
To open an email from the inbox, simply click on it. The window will open, and all the basic options for managing and responding to emails are located at the top of the screen:
- Reply allows you to send a message back to the sender or all recipients
- Forward lets you pass the email along to someone else
- The Action button opens a dropdown menu with advanced options, such as marking a message as new, flagging it, moving it to other folders, printing it, and more
- Delete moves the message to your Trash folder, which is also found on the left side
- Spam sends the message to your Spam folder, helping AOL Mail identify future spam messages
To compose an email, you can either click "Reply" to respond to an existing message or click the "Compose" button at the top-left of the screen to start a new one. AOL Mail offers a rich text formatting palette to customize fonts, text and background colors, text alignment, and more. These tools appear right above the text box.
You can add attachments, such as images or files, by clicking the Attach File button. To check your spelling, use the Spelling button at the top of the window. If you notice any spelling mistakes, click on the underlined words for suggestions. Once you're ready to send your message, click the Send button at the top of the screen. If you're not finished yet, click Save Draft to save the email in your Drafts folder on the left.
Beneath the Trash folder, you'll find two icons for Contacts and Calendar. Contacts functions like an address book in other email programs. Clicking on Contacts will open a new window where you can add new contacts, enter their email addresses and other details, and organize them into different lists.
AOL Mail also includes a calendar feature, allowing users to stay organized and manage their schedules.
Image courtesy of AOLClick the Calendar button to access the integrated calendar tool. Press the New Event button to schedule an event, appointment, or meeting. You’ll be prompted to provide a name for the event, set its date and time, specify if it repeats (daily, weekly, etc.), and create a reminder alert. You can also include an event description and a location that links directly to Mapquest.
Now let’s explore some of AOL Mail's newer and more advanced features.
In 1989, voice actor Elwood Edwards recorded the iconic three words that defined e-mail in the early '90s. AOL's announcement became so widespread it even inspired a film starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. Although the Webmail version of AOL Mail no longer plays the "You’ve got mail!" message, you can still purchase a personalized .wav file ("You’ve got mail, Brenda!") from Elwood Edwards's Web site.
Advanced Features
AOL Mail provides a variety of tools
Image courtesy of AOLAOL Mail includes several advanced features, such as panels, located on the right side of the mail screen. Panels provide quick access to other online services from AOL or its partners. Here’s a look at the most practical panels available:
- The AIM panel launches an embedded AOL Instant Messenger window on the right side of your screen. You can set AOL Mail to automatically sign you into AIM when you open the email program. The AIM panel includes all basic AIM features, like your Buddy List, sending instant messages, starting chat sessions, and sending text messages.
- The To Do panel displays your To Do list, where you can add new tasks and set due dates. Every received email includes a To Do link; if the subject requires follow-up, click the link to add it directly to your To Do list.
- The Events panel integrates with the Calendar app, showing upcoming events. Like the To Do panel, emails feature a Calendar link; clicking it allows you to create a Calendar entry that appears both in the Calendar app and the Events panel.
- A Blog link appears next to the Calendar and To Do links. Clicking it allows you to create an entry in your AOL Journal, a free blog service available with all AOL Mail accounts. After entering the subject and body, and adding any relevant tags, click Save. You can choose to share your blog publicly or restrict it to your buddies.
AOL Easy Transfer
This free service lets you transfer your contacts and emails from another email provider. Simply enter your old email address and password, and within 24 hours, your emails and contacts will be imported into your new AOL account. It can also notify your contacts of your address change and forward emails to your AOL account for the next 30 days.
Easy Transfer allows you to migrate contact details from other email services.
Image courtesy of AOLSettings
Additional features are available through the Settings menu, located at the top right of your AOL Mail screen. In the Settings menu, under General, there’s an option to enable the "Use a reading pane to view mail" feature. This allows you to read messages in your inbox without opening each email individually. The screen will split, with your inbox displayed at the top and a preview section beneath it, known as the reading pane.
The Filters feature enables you to set rules for automatically sorting and archiving incoming emails. For example, emails from your supervisor can be directed to a specific Work folder, or messages from your ex-partner can go straight to the Trash. You can even create new filters while reading an email—just click the Action button and select "Create a Filter" from the menu.
The Mobile Mail option in Settings allows you to input your cell phone number to receive a text message containing a link to download the free AOL Mobile Mail app. With this app, you can send and receive emails directly from your cell phone using your AOL Mail or AIM Mail address.
