Introduction

For some, logistical issues begin right at the start: getting hardware set up and establishing an Internet connection. Additionally, logistics refers to all the resources and support required to "get connected" and have a connection that is available, easy to use and manageable. Unresolved logistical problems are often a hindrance to active participation online.

Your Internet connection may be at work, at home or both. You will need to decide what works best for you.

Some examples of logistical problems encountered and how they have been addressed are given below.

Examples

Scenario #1: The school has only one email account and it is shared by many staff

Solution: Sharing an email account may sound fine in theory but it is much less than ideal. If you wish to be an active participating member of an online community you will not want to risk having your email messages deleted accidentally or your private email being accessible to others. Some possible solutions to this problem are:

• find out from the IT personnel in the school whether the school has access to other email accounts and if so request that one be available for your personal use

• use one of the free web based email services available on the Internet such as Hotmail. Be aware that this option has some downsides such as being slow
  (check the Electronic Mail Overview page for resources?)

• get connected personally from home.

Scenario #2: I have no Internet access but I do have a computer on my desk

Solution: To get connected you will need

1. a modem and

2. access to an Internet Service Provider

3. software for email and for web access (both of these are free and are usually supplied by your ISP)

Note:If you are part of an educational institution then you should investigate what plans the institution has for Internet connectivity and work in with that.

Scenario #3: managing your email - when you first start using email and particularly when you get involved with online communities that use email lists, you may find the amount of email overwhelming at times.

Solution: Don't panic! There are lots of strategies that can help with this seemingly overwhelming problem

• Realise that there will be times when you simply won't be able to read ALL of the mail for a given list. That is OK! What is important is that you have a quick glance thus building up enough of an idea of what has happened to be able to refer back to the archives when you have the need to read particular topics in detail. There will be other times when you will set aside time to actively participate and follow a certain thread because it is important to you.

• Modern email prorgams allow you to filter your email. This can help by filing your mail as it comes in. You must remember to check the filter report or you maight miss something important.

• Some people find that it works well to set aside a fixed time on a daily basis to deal with email. This may be best done a tthe start or end of the day when interuptions are less likely to occur.

Resources

Electronic Mail Overview

Explore the above page fully as it links to online tutorials and links for signing up for free Web-based Email.