Outlook Express can automatically download e-mail and newsgroup messages, so you don't waste connection time reading and composing messages online. This functionality is especially valuable to traveling professionals who may be stuck on airplanes or in airports for hours without a direct Internet connection.

Here's how it works...

The first time you start Outlook Express Mail, it automatically connects to your mail server, logs onto your e-mail account, and downloads any new messages into your Inbox, or any folder you specify with the Inbox Assistant.

Once that's accomplished, you're free to log off the Internet and read your messages at your leisure. In future sessions, Outlook Express will wait until you click the Send and Receive button before connecting to the server.

Want to reply to what you've read, or create a new message altogether? Just click the New Message, Reply to Author, or Reply to All button on the toolbar. Outlook Express Mail opens a new message window so you can compose while you're still offline.

If you get interrupted, just close the message, save the changes, and Outlook Express Mail will save it in the Draft folder.

What about Newsgroups?