You can compose your email offline by just typing it up and saving it in a text file. If you have Windows, you can use Notepad. If you're using DOS, you can use the MS-DOS Editor (you type "edit" at the command prompt to get into it). If you're using a Macintosh, there should be some sort of editor on it that lets you save a file in plain text format. Don't use anything like WordPerfect or MS Word, which saves the file in a special format. After you type your email up, log onto CCN. Type "gfiles" (without the quotes) to get to your file storage area. Then hit "u" for upload. Select one of the two transfer protocols (you may have to consult your manual for the communications program that you are using to see which one is supported.) Zmodem is better, if your program supports both of them. After you select one of them, CCN will tell you to start your transfer. Each program has a different way of doing this, so you may need to look at your manual again. Some programs have a transfer menu, where you can select Upload from it. Other programs use the PageUp key to start the transfer, while some others use Control + PageUp. Once you get the file transfered, type gmail to get into the mail program. Start a new message (press c) and then type in the info at the top (To, Subject, etc.) Go down to the body and press Control + R. (control and r together). Type in the name of the file which your message is saved in and hit enter. Now you can hit Control + X to send the message.