e-Mail Notify for Windows -- e-Mail Notify is the first background mail client for Windows 95 (that I know of). Versions are also available for Windows 3.x (16-bit and Win 32s) and NT (3.5 and 3.51). Like other background mail clients, e-Mail Notify checks your host for mail at scheduled intervals. e-Mail Notify is unique from other background clients in that it also downloads and displays the headers for all messages you receive. It is also unique in that it works from within the windows tray bar on the task bar in Windows 95. Like all 32-bit winsock clients in Windows 95, you will need a 32-bit TCP/IP stack (Trumpet is only 16-bit and therefore will not work) in order for e-Mail Notify to work in Windows 95. The Windows 3.x versions are both mono-threaded. New features include the ability to launch an external mail client, the ability to monitor multiple mailboxes, options for Quick Viewing and Quick Deletion of mail, and dial-up network control (e-Mail Notify automatically dials your internet provider, retrieves your mail headers, and hangs up all by itself). Like Post Office, e-Mail Notify only checks for mail (it's not a reader); however, it can also easily launch the mail client of your choice when mail arrives. The advantage to using e-Mail Notify over a regular mail client for checking mail is that it takes up a minimum 2-3% of system resources, as opposed to a normal mailreader, which can suck up anywhere from 7-10% of your system's resources. For Windows users that always keep one eye on their resources, this is a great client to have. With its inexpensive shareware status, this is one background mail checker that's hard to beat. Pros: Background mail checker in a variety of versions that all use a minimum of system resources Cons: Doesn't read mail -- it will be easier for many users to just use their normal mail client New: Dial-up networking control, multiple mailbox monitoring, bug fixes Version Reviewed: 1.20 Date of Review: 7/22/96 Reviewer: Forrest Stroud