I would like to create rules for my out-going e-mail. I want to move a copy of every e-mail I send that requires a reply into a separate folder, which I could name 'Waiting for reply'. Can I do this? Fred, Wan Chai DQ: It is understandable that you want to sort your e-mails the way you see fit. But unless you know what you are doing, writing your own script for such a rule will be challenging. (The main problem is that you have to do the change on a live system; if you could copy everything over to a new system, then you could play with scripting. Otherwise, you should probably leave it alone.) You could try sending yourself a message with a date in it. Mac OS X allows you to click on the date - or the name of a day - from which it will take you to the Calendar application. You could then create an alarm, including an e-mail to 'remind' you about an anticipated reply. Outlook allows for a similar solution. Perhaps the best solution is to find software to set the rules for you, whether you are using Microsoft Outlook on a Windows-based personal computer or Apple's Mail on a Mac. For Windows PC solutions, it is worth checking out this site, www.exefind.com/outgoing-email . For Mac, visit http://www.indev .ca/MailActOn.html. A robust solution for both business and home users can be found at www.orla.org/01.home . I recently upset a friend because of an e-mail about a good deal that I forwarded. He thought it contained a virus or other malicious software. I'm a Mac user and all I did was click on the link. I thought you had to actually download something to be in danger from a virus. Is this true? Name and address supplied DQ: Here is the simple answer: never go to a site that has been suggested to you by someone you don't know. Even if you know the sender, you may want to check first. If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. If you get a message that has anything to do with money - either someone soliciting it or offering it - and you do not know the sender, kill it. Do not forward it to a friend if you want that person to remain a friend. It is certainly true that the Mac operating system is attacked less frequently than Windows but do not take that to mean you are safe - especially if the message asks you to go to a website. Also remember that just because you have a Mac, it does not mean you cannot forward a computer virus to someone. These days, you do not need to download and run something to get infected. If you have a good firewall, up-to-date anti-virus software and take precautions, you should be safe. What you have just described, however, is not safe. Your friend had every right to be upset with you.
