ESTABLISHING EMAIL FILTERS
In Netscape (Messenger) version 4.x, the email filtering configuration menus can be reached as follows. Open Netscape, then open Messenger. In that window, click on EDIT, then click on "Message Filters". In the window that opens, click on "New"; this brings you to where you can set conditions for qualifying incoming messages. You'll note that you can qualify (filter) on subject, message body, sender, etc. And you can either discard filtered messages, or store them in a separate folder. You'll also note that you can set as many filters as you feel necessary; for example, you might have a filter for 'mortgage' or 'refinance' messages, and another filter for 'cable descramblers'.

In Outlook Express version 5.x, click on "Tools", then click on "Message Rules", then "Mail". In the window that opens, you will see all the different conditions that you can use to qualify (filter) incoming messages. As is the case with Netscape, you can have multiple filters.

In Outlook, click the folder you want to apply a filter to (e.g, INBOX). On the VIEW menu, click FILTER. Select the filter options you want. To filter using additional criteria such as a category or importance level, click the "More Choices" tab, and then select the options you want. To filter using additional or custom fields, click the "Advanced" tab, and then select the options you want.

In general, with any of these email programs, you will have best success if you establish filters for specific words or phrases that are likely to occur in messages you will want to discard. For example, if you want to discard messages about mortgage refinancing, you might set a filter based on the words 'mortgage', 'refinance' and 'low rates', as these words are likely to appear in the subject line and body of the message. With a little practice, and some tweaking of your rules, you should find these filters to be extremely effective.

If you use a different or older email program, you may want to consider upgrading to Netscape 4.x or Outlook Express 5.x so that you can use the filtering capability.