Software used with an open Internet connection as supplied by an ISP usually needs to have some configuration informaion. When you connect to an Online Service such as AOL, configuration beyond user name and password is minimal. The email address is made up of the Username or UserID, and the domain name of the system. We can forward all email to an account to any email address desired.
Many websites now offer free email.
Most of these web-based emails will be accessed at the website of the email provider. Email software is a program which sends and receives email. Microsoft has an email client called Outlook Express associated with its Internet Explorer, version 4. Netscape has an email client built into itself. Eudora is a common email client.