Using auto-responders, outlook for e-business

Q1: Hi PCFix. What are auto-responders, and do I really need them for my business? Johnson A.

A1: Johnson, auto-responders are technologies (scripts actually) that are programmed into email boxes which allows a destination address to au­tomatically reply to any incoming message. This could be very useful for businesses, especially in the dissemination of information. You could request for individuals to send blank emails to a particular address whose auto-responder has been setup to include the information the sender requires.

Auto-responders are not setup by default when you sign up for a free email address; however, you could set it up quickly by heading over to the mail settings. If you purchase customized email address, you could have greater flexibility in the setup of the auto-responder. Several commercial auto-responder services also abound on the inter­net, some of which build an email list for you.

Q2: Hi PCFix, is there an alternative to Microsoft Outlook? I just bought a new laptop and I discovered that it is missing from the Office folder in Startup, pro­grammes. Also, the Microsoft Office 2010 includes just Word and Excel Starter. Abolore O.

A2: Hi Abolore, various alternatives abound for Microsoft Outlook, the most popular ones are – Mozilla Thunderbird and Zimbra Desktop Cli­ent. They are available for the Microsoft Windows, Apple MAC and Linux Operating Systems. Note that computers do not ship with Microsoft Outlook by default, unless you purchase the Microsoft Of­fice software (sold separately), install it and setup your various email accounts (excluding free Yahoo Mail). The Microsoft Office 2010 Starter is a free stripped-down version of the full software suite which various Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) bundle with their computers to gain edge over competitors. This contains a limited-function versions of Microsoft Word and Excel for basic use only. In order to unlock the full features and get the other software in the suite – PowerPoint, Access, Publisher, Outlook and more, you will have to purchase a license from Microsoft.

The above-stated alternatives are open-source and free to use for as long as you deem fit. They also work seamlessly with all your emails (regard­less of your provider) and work across devices (mobile and desktop).

Q3: Hi PCFix, I opened my Yahoo mail over ten years ago; now, I would like to change my user name without having to open another account. The current address is no longer tenable in the corporate environ­ment, even though it was apt back in the days. Is it pos­sible? Bola A.

A3: Hi Bola, Yahoo (or other free email ser­vice providers for that matter) does not provide the facility for subscribers to change their email addresses once the accounts have been created. Partly due to the fact that the usernames are being taken up by the minute.

Email addresses like - bookohlar@gmail.com, adethemaster@hotmail.com, enny4dem@yahoo.com, ife4luv@yahoo.com, feelingtheboi@yahoo.com. All these do not convey seriousness, and employers will not take you seriously. Granted, your pre­ferred address might have been used by someone else, and since you are not the only one with your name, there is a slim chance of it being available. Solution, use your initials coupled with your name, try different combinations until it works. Stay away from slangs, slurs and misspelled words (luv, dem, u, lif, eva, 4, 2, etc)