Q We run a Dance Studio that produces shows for a local theatre. We have a constant problem in being able to contact all pupils and parents in the build up to a show to tell them about rehearsal times, costumes and tickets. Is there any way to send out emails to groups of people without having to select each one individually?

I am a regular reader of Computeractive and I seem to remember an article some time back about a specialist website for organisations such as ours, where information can be posted and this can be unlocked with a password system to only the parties concerned.
Derek Harris

A Both Outlook Express and Thunderbird can create contact groups so that an email can be sent to several contacts without having to add each name individually.

In Outlook Express, click on the Tools menu and select Address Book. Click on the New button and then on New Group. Give the group a name and then click on Select Members. A new window appears with all of the contacts in the address book. Click on each contact you wish to include in the list and then on the arrow pointing right. It is possible to select several addresses at the same time by holding down the Ctrl button while clicking on contacts.

Thunderbird calls groups lists but the principle is much the same. Click on the Tools menu and then Address Book. Click on New List to create a mailing list.