Before you can either send or receive e-mail, you have to set up an e-mail account.  There are two ways to do this.

If you have Internet access at home, your Internet Service Provider (the company that you pay for Internet access) can set up an e-mail account for you.  With this kind of account, all you'll have to do is click on a browser button to access your e-mail.

If you don't have Internet access at home, you'll have to set up an e-mail account at a web site.  There are many web sites that host e-mail accounts.  There will be links to them at the end of this lesson.

active - In use.
blog - A sort of public journal.  "Blog" is short for "web log."
browser - A computer program that helps people use the Internet.
check box - A small box that allows you to select multiple items from a list.
click - To quickly press and release the left mouse button.
cursor - The little arrow that moves around the computer screen when the mouse is moved.
dialog box - A small box that pops up on screen to give you information.  You must respond to a dialog box by clicking on a button.
drag - To move an onscreen object by putting the cursor over it, holding the mouse button down, and moving the cursor.
drop-down menu - A type of menu in which you must click on a small down arrow to display your options.
e-mail - Letters sent between computers via the Internet.  "E-mail" is short for "electronic mail."
frames - Frames divide a web page into two or more sections that can be scrolled separately.
Google - A popular search engine.  Its URL is www.google.com.
graphics - Pictures.
HTTP - Hypertext Transfer Protocol; the way computers communicate on the World Wide Web.
highlighted text - Text with a different background color. This sentence is highlighted.
insertion point - A little blinking line that shows you where the next letter you type will appear.
Internet Explorer - A browser.
Internet Service Provider - The company that provides Internet access.  Often abbreviated "ISP."
link - A connection to another web page.  Sometimes called a "hyperlink."
location toolbar - The browser toolbar that contains a text box.
menu - A list of items in which you select the one you want by clicking on it.
navigation toolbar - The browser toolbar that contains the "Back" and "Forward" buttons.
Mozilla Firefox - A browser.  Firefox is an updated version of Netscape Navigator.
Safari - A browser.
password - A secret word that lets you access your private information.
phishing - Attempting to steal private information by sending out realistic-looking but fake e-mails.
radio buttons - Small circles that allow you to choose only one item from a list.
scroll - To move a web page up and down on the computer screen.
scroll bar - A bar that appears at the edge of the computer screen when a web page is too large to fit on the screen.
search engine - A special web site that searches for web pages related to a subject of your choice.
selection list - A type of menu.
slider - Part of a scroll bar; the box that moves up and down as a web page is scrolled. 
terms of use - A description of the behavior you should exhibit when using a web site.
text - Words.
text box - A white box that you can type things into.
toolbar - A group of tools to help you use the Internet.  Toolbars are part of a browser.
URL - The address of a web page.  Pronounced "earl," URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator.
user name - The name by which a web site recognizes you.
web page - A computer file that looks like a printed page when viewed with a browser.
web site - A group of related web pages.
World Wide Web - The part of the Internet that can be viewed with a browser.
Yahoo! - A popular search engine.  Its URL is www.yahoo.com.