There are times when computers confuse me, despite many years of working with them. When I write about high-definition television I can get so far over my head that I end up asking two experts for advice for every paragraph I write.

The high-tech world is a confusing and rapidly changing place. But there are some topics where I feel easy when I offer advice. E-mail is on that list. I've earned a living as a writer for 35 years or so, pounding out everything from television commercials to news stories about robberies at pizza parlors.

I was using e-mail long before the Internet became available to home users. And, in my expert opinion, a lot of you could use some help when it comes to using e-mail.

Let me count the sins I see.

> Not enough information: I recently received an e-mail telling me that a person's e-mail address had been changed and offering the new one. That's fine. But I have no idea who that person is. In this case, it would have been smart for that person to tell me who he is --- maybe a work contact, perhaps someone I do business with, or maybe an old friend. Include enough context in each e-mail so that even senile folks such as myself will know what you're talking about.

> Too much information: Once you've clearly identified yourself, get to the point. If you have a question, ask it. If you have a story to tell, tell it quickly. Don't take side roads. Most people appreciate e-mail that gets the job done in two or three paragraphs.

> If you want something, ask nicely: I'm shocked by e-mails that take on a threatening or angry tone when the whole purpose is to persuade me to do something. I keep wondering whether the same person would be as brusque asking a favor in person. It's easy to be direct and still polite. Even if you're a jerk, act is if you are not.

> About that subject line: Now that spammers use enticing subject lines in an effort to convince us to open their e-mails, I delete a lot of mail without looking at it based on the subject line. Avoid using words such as: photo or hi, or phrases such as "here's the information you requested." Instead, be specific enough so that your recipient will know it's really you. And keep in mind that some anti-spam programs filter out words common in spam such as sexual terms, or mentions of prescription drugs or low interest rates.

> Don't pass it on: You wouldn't, I hope, pass around a personal letter you've received so that others could read it. But too many people routinely forward personal e-mails without permission. If you want to forward an e-mail you've received, ask permission.

> Watch your words: I remember a time, many years ago, when an aging friend asked for help with his computer. I wrote still another friend asking him to help my buddy. I mentioned, when I wrote that "he's getting a little old and sometimes seems confused."

Maybe you can guess what happened. When my buddy wrote the elderly person offering to help, he simply put his comments on the top of my e-mail that mentioned the problems with confusion. The elderly guy was a lot nicer about it than I would be. He simply wrote me and said, "Don't worry, I'm so confused that, by tomorrow, I won't remember you ever said that."

> Sleep on it: I almost always save important e-mails as a draft copy rather than sending them right away. Often on second reading I've found misspellings and confusing language. But that's not the main reason I read an e-mail twice before sending. An angry, impulsive response will sound childish the second time you read an e-mail. So, especially when the subject involves your career or your friends, let the e-mail sit quietly for a bit before sending it.

I'll bet you have e-mail disasters of your own. I'd be glad to hear your stories. My e-mail address should be with this column. But, just in case, it's tecbud@ajc.com. If you tell me a great story, I may mention it in the column. What a deal: Here is your chance to look foolish in front of millions of people.

---tecbud@ajc.com