Email
Email has become a popular means of communications. It provides a means of communicating with others that may not be available via phone. Also data, attachments and pictures can be delivered and displayed via email and you have a record of what is said.
It would be well to establish a gmail account for email even if you already have another email account. You will need it as we explore other uses of the computer. Gmail is Google's term for their email.
To establish a gmail account go to www.google.com and click on "gmail" and then "Create an Account." Fill out the form including the "Word Verification" that can be a little tricky. Click "I accept. Create my Account." Now you are good to go. I used my first name middle initial and last name as my gmail address. Leave out spaces between your names.
You are now ready to send and receive messages. If you are not signed in go to www.google.com and click on gmail and sign-in using your user name and password, click on Compose Mail on the left hand side. Ask someone else their email address and type it in the "To" box. Enter a short subject and type in a message and finally click on "Send." Email sent to you will be in your "In Box."
For now practice sending and receiving emails with a friend.
Notice that there are options for attachments, changing the fonts and size of the fonts,
Facebook
Facebook is one of the social networks hosted on the Internet. First establish an account on the website and poke around it some. Be careful in what you display since the information can be viewed by all elements of society. You really don't want the world to know you will be away on vacation between certain dates or all the details about yourself and family. You can place restrictions on those that can view the contents to some extent.
Facebook like other applications has a help section. An online tutorial is also available at GCFLearnFree.org under the Internet Basics tab. Facebook is constantly evolving; therefore, it is best for you to take the time to explore its features on your own.
