E-mail will send you {:-). (A.D.ministration).

IF YOU ARE LIKE ME, AND most AD's are, you did not grow up with computers and you could now be struggling with another of the prides and joys of technological advancements called E-mail.

But I guarantee that once you master the details of electronic mail, it will become absolutely indispensable in your pursuit of life, liberty, and professional efficiency. If you are not using E-mail, get with it. It can really help you.

Practical tips that can help get you started:

1. Leave your E-mail program on all day. Just minimize your Inbox to your Windows Toolbar when working on another document. But as soon as you finish your letter or article, you'll be in a position to check any new messages that have arrived. This will enable you to answer or handle new messages efficiently.

2. Though E-mail is reputed to be a quick medium of communication, make sure to use your Spell Check function under Tools in your Toolbar. Remember, you are an educator and the image you project is extremely important. Too many people disregard spelling when using E-mail for a reply."

3. Although E-mail is intended for shorter messages, you should address your communication to an explicit receiver. Using the person's name makes for a more impressive opening than simply blurting out the message, and it does not take up that much extra time.

4. E-mail may be a "quick" medium, but you don't have to abandon courtesy and grammar. Again remember: As educators, we are constantly judged by our communication skills, and that includes E-mail.

Your Spell Check may also include a grammar check. It will take only seconds to check a message and eliminate mistakes.

5. Learn to use the Reply button. It offers a simple way of answering an incoming message with the original message remaining on the bottom of your reply for reference.

6. If you don't get a reply in a reasonable time, you can forward the message again. This document will also provide a record of the date and time of the original message, which is great for reference and documentation, especially for individuals who have a history of delinquent or late communication.

7. Leave messages in your Sent folder until you receive your respondent's reply, enabling you to keep track of your communication. Since, however, your server establishes a limit on how much you can store, you will not be able to keep an unlimited amount of messages in your folders.

8. After reading the messages, I like to keep them in my Inbox until I delete them. This helps me remember what has been completed and what still needs attention.

9. E-mail facilitates the transmission of messages to your coaching staff. After hitting the "Forward" button on your menu bar, you simply enter the coach's E-mail address.

To send multiple copies, you must enter the addresses of the additional coaches in the CC field, with each address separated by a colon. For example: [e-mail]; By adding a little FYI comment at the top of the original message, you will definitely beat starting from scratch or rewriting individual messages to your various coaches.

10. If you anticipate communicating with a group of coaches--all coaches in the fall season, for example--set up a Distribution List. Once this is created, you can instantly send a message to everyone on this list at the same time. This is a fantastic time-saver.

11. Make it a habit to copy important messages onto a disk for future reference. It may also be advisable to print a hardcopy or two for your files. Such copies automatically contain the date and time that the message was sent or received. For the short term, you can also save important messages in the Documents folder on your computer.

12. While some E-mail programs will let the sender know when the respondent has read the messages, it is common courtesy to acknowledge the receipt of a message. It can be as simple as, "Thanks, Dave."

Linda Meyer, a technical trainer for organizational services with the Dept. Of Professional Development for Baltimore (MD) County Schools, has produced a publication (Netiquette) that details the appropriate and courteous behavior for E-mail users. Selected entries:

Do not capitalize your messages. We call that "shouting" at your readers. Such messages are also harder to read and do not look professional.

Include a return mail address and/or phone number. This is a time-saver for your readers. You can create a Signature to your message that will include the following information:

* Use a good, informative description in the Subject field and keep it short.

* Confine your paragraphs to three or four lines and always double-space between paragraphs.

* Inform your readers what you expect them to do with your E-mail. For example, "Please respond," or "No reply is necessary."

* Respond to the sender of a E-mail message within the same day if possible.

With respect to confidentiality and ethics, Ms. Meyers suggests that:

* Be careful what you write, because your message could be stored and later used against you.

* Send nothing via E-mail that you wouldn't want posted on a bulletin board or read by your supervisor.

* Never forward anything that is copyrighted.

* You are responsible for anything sent from your E-mail account.

* Now is the time to step into the real world and start using E-mail. It is an essential tool for time management and it will enable you to become much more efficient and productive.