AOL webmail - browser interface to email account

AOL webmail is a 'web-based email program' that lets you access the account from any computer provided that a web browser is installed and an active net connection is available. After signing in through the AOL login page, the webmail interface is loaded through which you can compose email, send replies and forwards, sort and organize messages etc.

The intuitively designed AOL webmail program is one of the best in the industry (my opinion) and has several features through which you can use the email account more efficiently. The aim of this article is to provide a short introduction to these features and help you find your way around quickly.

How to use AOL webmail - the easiest way to check email!

The AOL webmail is designed to work with most, if not all, web browser. You probably have one installed on the computer - yes, it's the same program you're using to read this page. Type in webmail.aol.com or simply click that link to open the login page [Slide 1]. Enter the username and password of your email account and sign in to access AOL webmail.

• The "Today on AOL" page greets you on successful sign in - [Slide 2]. Not interested in the tit-bits shown? Get rid of this page the next time you login - refer AOL email account settings. For now, simply click on the "Check Mail" button or the "Inbox" link to access messages in the AOL email account.
• The webmail interface can be divided into 3 main segments - the (1) left pane that has links to folders, Contacts and the Calendar, the (2) message list and the large (3) reading pane below [Slide 3].
• Though the "Reading Pane" can be turned off, it's a good idea to keep it visible because you can then look at the email list and the contents of a message at the same time [Slide 4]. This helps in quick scanning of the messages in your account.
• The column on the left has links to the default folders in the AOL email account as well as the folders you create to organize messages as per your requirements. "Contacts" and the "Calendar" are also just a click away.
  This left panel always remains at this location and it's width can be increased too - move the mouse cursor over the thin line to the right of this pane till it turns to a double arrow icon and then drag it to the right - [Slide 5]. The search function - an very important and time saving utility - is located at the top of the left pane.
• The AOL webmail interface also offers themes to add a little spice to the page. Though the layout of the email account won't change drastically, as with Gmail themes or Hotmail themes, you do get a new background image (top left). Click the "Themes" link and then choose a background image to have it applied immediately - [Slide 6].
• The keen-eyed would have also noticed the a vertical bar to the extreme right with many small icons. This is the Plugins bar. You can customize this and choose which plugins to be displayed. Click the green 'plus' icon to open the plugins gallery; the red 'minus' icons at the bottom lets you remove the items you don't want - [Slide 7].

These were just some of the features of the AOL webmail. Why don't you play around and get to know them a little more and don't worry, the computer is not going to jump up and bite you! Enjoy the email account.