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Don't keep hitting that Delete key!
First, make
sure your messages are sorted by Topic, not date. Then scan through the topics. Read only
the most interesting ones. Only read the responses if you're still really interseted.
Avoid any messages with headers that look like they'll be opinion pieces or flames,
unless the topic is really dear to your heart. File any messages that require some thought
or extensive response or reading. Place them in a folder designated for that purpose.
You can set up other folders as needed for specific priorities. You can also create a special category for messages you wish to respond to, whether from a discussion list or other source. You can create a category for messages that have resources
you'd like to visit or information for future reference, completed correspondence,
and so forth. Be sure your program is set to save messages sent, to help you track
your correspondence and commitments.
By prioritizing before getting caught up in the action, you can make
sure the most important work is done, and the rest, will, well, let's just say
that you won't be regretting not having gotten to it when you're writing your
memoirs. Besides, I wish I had a Tums for every person who I've seen embarrass
themselves by going off half-cocked when they should have slept on it before shooting off
a response.
Okay, NOW You Can Hit the Delete Key
When you get to the bottom, just "Select All" from the Edit menu (control-A in Windows), and
Delete the entire contents of the Inbox. This saves the trouble of deleting each message one by one. If
you have room for it, you can set your program to put all that stuff in a Delete file in case you have to go looking for something. Sometimes that file comes in handy.
Now think of all the fun things you can do instead submitting messages
trying to convince people not to waste your time with misguided and trivial posts.
It's Been Nice, But I Have to Screen Now
Don't know how to make your email program send messages to a folder automatically? Try "Tools | Message Rules."
By the way, when
is the last time you backed up your hard drive? You know it could go any
time. Between back-ups, when you have done a lot of work on a file, put a copy of it on a disk just in case.
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