In our September issue of Baywalk.com, we discussed MailStart.com's service allowing access to your e-mail through the WorldWide Web. Unfortunately, MailStart only uses the standard e-mail protocols, which does not provide access to proprietary e-mail systems such as the service on America Online (AOL).

AOL Mail 2.0 is a service for America Online members. Now you can send and receive your AOL e-mail directly from the Web without using the America Online software. If you're at work, on the road or away from your regular computer, all you need is an Internet connection and a Web browser to read and send your America Online e-mail.

There is no additional charge -- AOL Mail 2.0 is offered as part of your America Online membership. To use AOL Mail 2.0, follow these steps, and remember that AOL Mail is for America Online members only:

1. Go to http://aolmail.aol.com
2. Members should review the AOL Mail registration agreement.
3. Make sure you have a compatible Web browser. AOL Mail 2.0 is optimized for Netscape Navigator 3.02 and higher and Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 and higher. It supports most popular operating systems, including Windows 3.1, Windows 95/98, Windows NT, and Mac OS.

To protect your account, America Online will automatically log you out of AOL Mail 2.0 if you don't view or send a message at least once every 30 minutes. Please keep this time limit in mind when writing messages.