Yup, that's the answer. AOL is your e-mail program.

E-mail programs run a wide variety of options. As stated, AOL is it's own email program. Outlook Express is another, but honestly if you're sticking with AOL you're probably better off with AOL anyway. There are several other programs out there, plus a wide variety of webmail servers (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc.)... These have the advantage of being accessible from computers that don't have AOL loaded on them.

The 'big blue E" is Microsoft Internet Explorer - a Web Browser. Note that AOL ALSO functions as a browser... it's how you're getting to Mudcat. Internet Explorer (or IE for short) Does not have the bells and whistles that AOL has, but this can get it to run a bit faster. If you're ever interested in using it, once you've connected with AOL, minimize the AOL windows, double click on the "E", and go from there.

Hope this helps, or at least makes sense.

M