Set up an email account with Gmail *This guide was last updated 18 April 2011. Please note that the real system and process may differ from this guide. 1. Get started Use your keyboard to type http://www.google.co.uk into the address bar and press the enter key. Now you’ll see the ‘Google’ home page which gives you access to Google email as well as Google internet search and access to other Google services. You need to click on ‘Googlemail’ at the top of the screen, between ‘Shopping’ and ‘more’. ‘Googlemail’ is also known as ‘Gmail’, and you’ll see the ‘Welcome to Gmail’ page. This gives a few details of their service and allows those who already have a Gmail account to sign in and get their messages. When you are setting up, you need to click on ‘Create an account’. 2. Create an account The ‘Create a Google account’ page opens. This will be the account you use to access Gmail email later. There are several boxes to fill in on this screen, but just take your time and do them one at a time. To enter text, first point your cursor at the box you want to complete. The cursor looks like this: Click your left mouse button once and then use the keyboard to type in your details. If you make a mistake press the backspace key. It looks like this: 3. Name To enter your name, point the cursor at the correct box, click your left mouse button once and use the keyboard to type your name. 4. Login name Next you’ll need to decide on an account name. This will be the name you use to access Gmail email when you come back, so you will want to choose something you can remember. It is also going to be your email address, which will be seen by people you send messages to - so think carefully about what you want this to be. Most people start by trying their own name, so type this into the box, without spaces, and click the box that says ‘check availability’ to see if you can use it, or if someone else with the same name has got there first! In this example Graham has not been lucky. His name has already gone. But Google has suggested some options based on the name he asked for. You can select one of these or try a different option. Think about using full stops or numbers to make something that means something to you and is recognisable to others. In our example Graham adds his middle initials, and a full stop before his family name. 3. Passwords Now we come to the password section. Your password needs to be something you will remember but others can’t guess. You will need to use your password every time you log into your email account. You can make your password harder for others to guess by using numbers, symbols or a mix of CAPITAL and small letters. So while someone may know Graham has a pet named Beatrice, if he makes his password be@Tr1ce that would be more difficult for someone to guess. As you can see Google rates this password as very strong. Take a moment to think of a password and how you can make it more secure while still memorable, then type it into both boxes on screen. 4. Additional questions There are now 2 boxes on screen that we need to consider. They are labelled ‘Stay signed in’ and ‘Enable Web History’, If you leave ‘Stay signed in’ ticked Google will try to remember you on the computer you’re using now. If you are on a computer you share with others, for example in a library, it is therefore very important that you make sure this box is not ticked. With ‘Enable Web History’ ticked, Google will keep track of what you link to and view so that they can provide you with more relevant information. If you don’t want Google tracking what you do on the internet, make sure the tick is removed from this box too. To untick a box, move your cursor to point at the box and click your left mouse button once. You now need to move down the screen for the last few questions, using the down arrow. These questions are here so that if you have any problems using Gmail in the future, Google can make sure it is you they are helping. First choose the question you want them to ask if you‘re having trouble with your account or trouble remembering your password. Select a question from the drop down list. To do this point your cursor at the box that looks like this : and click your left mouse button once. Then move your mouse to select your preferred question and click again. To enter your answer , move your cursor to point at the box below the question, and use the keyboard to type the answer. Make sure this is an answer you are sure of and check your spelling as it will need to match exactly if you need help from Google. If you already have another email address you can enter it here and if you have problems Google will send help instructions to that address. If you don’t have another email address don’t worry, just leave this field empty. 5. Location Because Google operate all over the world they ask for your location so that they operate in accordance with local laws. Select the correct option from the drop down list. To do this point your cursor in the boxes that look like this : and click your left mouse button once. Then move your cursor to highlight your country and click again. 6. Word verification Also in this section is a word verification. Google use this to prove you are a human rather than a computer. A word verification is also sometimes called a CAPTCHA code. Move your cursor over the box, click your left mouse button once and use your keyboard to type the letters that you see in the image in the box provided. If you can’t recognise the letters you can listen to them by clicking on the blue wheelchair symbol. 7. Mobile verification At this point Google may ask you to further verify that you are a human by asking for a mobile phone number that they can send a message to. (If you do not see the page below on your computer screen then skip straight to step 8 in this guide.) Move your cursor over the ‘Mobile phone number’ box, click your left mouse button once and then use the keyboard to type your phone number into the box. Google will send a text message to your mobile phone. The text message will contain a code which may be a mixture of numbers and letters. When you receive this code, just move your cursor over the box that says ‘Enter your code’, then click the left mouse button once and use the keyboard to type the code. Now move your cursor over the ‘Verify’ button and click the left mouse button once. 8. Terms of service Finally to get a Gmail email account you must accept the Google Terms of Service. It is a good idea to have a read of these so that you understand what you are agreeing to! There are also links to Google’s Program and Privacy policies if you want more information. Once you have read the terms and conditions you’re all ready to go. Move your cursor to point at the “I accept” button and click your left mouse button once. 9. Final steps Congratulations, you’ve just got a Gmail email account! You will be taken to a new screen like the one below which confirms that you have an account. Move your cursor to point at the button. You will now be taken to your Gmail account where you will have new messages to welcome you to Gmail.