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Solutions: For mass e-mail, use that BCC field

Q. I know this is a very basic question, but it has me stumped. I receive e-mail addressed to "undisclosed recipient." I've also seen security recommendations to address to "BCC" rather than "To" or "CC." I haven't been able to see this option. I'm using Windows XP and Outlook Express.

By John Torro, Times Correspondent
Published December 31, 2007

Q. I know this is a very basic question, but it has me stumped. I receive e-mail addressed to "undisclosed recipient." I've also seen security recommendations to address to "BCC" rather than "To" or "CC." I haven't been able to see this option. I'm using Windows XP and Outlook Express.

A. When you create a new e-mail message in Outlook Express, on the menu bar click View, View All Headers. You should see the BCC field right below the To: and CC: fields this is the same on Vista's Windows Mail and Outlook Express. This option will stay in effect for subsequent e-mail. I'm also often asked how to send mail to multiple e-mail addresses without having the recipients be able to view the entire list (my pet peeve - a major infraction of e-mail etiquette). This is where you use the BCC field. Use your own e-mail address as the To: address and then enter the others in the BCC field. The recipients will see only your address and their own.

Q. I need to replace my laptop. I thought about getting a Mac, but replacing all of my Windows programs with those designed for Apple (Dreamweaver, Flash, Fireworks, SSPP, Photoshop) would be prohibitively expensive. Dell gives the buyer the choice of installing Windows XP or Vista. I wouldn't consider Vista until after the new service pack is released, but I'm not sure I'd get it even then. I understand that there is an SP3 coming out for Windows XP. What would you advise?

A. Whatever you do, don't get a Mac. With that bit of insanity out of the way, let's move on. Vista has received a lot of bad press. But one thing I've observed in my many years of reading the media's technical news and reviews: If they can't say something bad, they don't say anything - particularly when it concerns Microsoft. You need to do your own investigating. Yes, Vista has some issues, mostly minor ones. The soon-to-be released SP1 should take care of most of them. Many vendors were late getting device drivers and program updates out for Vista and that played a large part in getting it off on the wrong foot. But it is still recommended to download and run the Vista Upgrade Advisor (www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx) to make sure that the applications and peripherals most important to you will be compatible. Staying with Windows XP would be the safe choice. But no matter how many funny commercials Apple airs trying to scare you, Vista has some advantages and it is not going away. I've been running it without issue since it was released and I would not downgrade to a previous operating system unless it was my only choice to accommodate my most critical applications. You need to determine what's most important for you.

Q. I have Windows XP and I'm using McAfee Internet Security Suite 2007. I have heard pros and cons regarding using more than one virus protector such as Ad-Aware. What is your opinion?

A. You should not concurrently run more than one antivirus program. However, AdAware is an antispyware program (as opposed to antivirus). And while my recommendation is to run just one antisypware program at a time, the only harm to your system is the added overhead.

Send questions to personaltech@sptimes.com or Personal Tech, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731. Questions are answered only in this column.

[Last modified December 28, 2007, 20:24:51]