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Fast and convenient, email has made keeping in touch so much easier. Nowadays most people have work email addresses, home accounts provided by an ISP, plus at least one free webmail account, so it can be easy to let your email get out of control. Here we let you in on all the email secrets and tips you'll need to manage your messages effectively. We state which email program each tip works with and we've covered five popular options: Outlook, Outlook Express (OE), Thunderbird, Hotmail and Google Mail.

Everywhere in the world, except in the UK and a small number of other countries, Google Mail is known as Gmail. Some of the tips here use programs or references to Gmail; they will work fine in Google Mail. You can get a Google Mail account only by invitation. You need to find someone with an account and get them to send you an invite. When Google Mail first started, users were allocated only three or four invites, but these days new Google Mail accounts have 50 invites to send out. This means it is quite likely you'll know someone who can send you an invite. If you don't, there are a number of sites that give them away on the internet. Try www.bytetest.com.

1 - Set up an email group

Works with Outlook Express, Thunderbird

With a group or mailing list, all you need to do is enter the group's name in the To field of your email message, and it will be sent to all the

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email addresses listed in that group. In OE, click on Addresses, File, New, New Group. Enter a name for the group then click Select Members. Click on a name and press Select. When you've done this, click OK.

To use the group, either type the group name into the To field or click on Addresses and select it from the list. In Thunderbird, click on the Address Book then on New List. Give the group a name, description and nickname. You have to type each email address. When you've finished, click OK.

2 - Create individual accounts on a PC

If there's only one computer in your house and everyone uses it, you can keep emails separate and private by setting up individual email identities. There are two processes for this: one for you, one for the other users. You'll also need some technical details, but if you don't still have these from when you first set up your email account, your ISP can provide them. Select File, Identities, Add New Identity. Type a name and tick the Require a Password box. For you, select File, Identities, Manage Identities. Click Main Identity and then Properties. To change users, go to File, Switch Identity.

3 - Send large attachments Works with Any web browser

Large, bulky attachments may exceed the recipient's mailbox allowance. It's easier to upload large files to the internet and send a link to the recipient. Mail Big File (www.mailbigfile.com) will do this for you. Alternatively, use file transfer protocol (FTP). Your ISP may give you an FTP client for uploading your webpages. Otherwise, use Internet Explorer or download a free FTP client from the internet or the toolkit on our cover DVD. Upload the file to your website then email the link to the recipient. Details such as the address for the FTP server can be supplied by your ISP.

Small changes can make a big difference to your productivity. Our tips will save you time

4 - Change your name

Works with Hotmail