How to read all sorts of email attachments

Question: I use Microsoft Works with Windows Vista, but I'munable to open some documents sent to me via Yahoo email, which, atleast in one case, have been in .gif format.

Is there something I can do to put these attachments in areadable format? Would buying Microsoft Word solve the problem? -F.H., St. Paul, Minn.

Answer: Microsoft Word can't read .gif files, which containimages or animations rather than text.

In Windows Vista, .gif files can be viewed in Internet Explorer,which you have.

The easiest way to do that is to download the .gif attachment toyour PC's Desktop (main screen), then open it from that locationwith IE by going to File, Open, Browse and on the left chooseDesktop. Then double-click the icon of the picture.

Alternatively, you could download the free IrfanView program (seetinyurl.com/4um8vn6), which is recommended by technology websiteCNet and reads dozens of image and video file formats, including.gif.

Word might be able to help if you receive other types of text-based files that your software can't read. But before you buy Word,compare the list of file types that it can read (see tinyurl.com/476jz5y) with the file types you're receiving as email attachments.

Depending on what attachments you receive, you might be able toget by with the free Microsoft Word Viewer that reads, prints andcopies several types of files. (See tinyurl.com/3x9thjy.)

Question: While I was staying at my Florida condo, I could use Wi-Fi on my laptop. But I couldn't send emails via Outlook Express andhad to use Facebook instead.

I received an error message that said to "reset my ISP SMTP." MyMinnesota Internet service provider is Mncable.net in Thief RiverFalls, and in Florida, it's Comcast.

What do I need to change on my laptop settings so I can sendemails through another ISP? - S.J., Roseau, Minn.

Answer: SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) refers to thesettings on the cable company computer server that handles youroutgoing email.

Those settings vary from one cable company, or ISP, to another,so you need to adjust software settings on Outlook Express.

For the settings Comcast uses, see tinyurl.com/ybw845f. To returnto the settings used by MnCable.net, see tinyurl.com/69436xx.

If you'd rather not change your Outlook Express settings, youcould switch to a free Web email account on Google, Yahoo orHotmail. Like Facebook, those services can be accessed anywherewithout altering software settings.

Alexander covers technology for the Minneapolis Star Tribune.Readers can write to him at Tech Q&A, 425 Portland Ave. S.,Minneapolis, Minn. 55488-0002; email: steve.j.alexander@gmail.com.Include a full name, city and phone number.