The FutureWare EMail Alerter (ePAL) application provides a visual and audio notification of when email is available for retrieval from a remote email server using the standard POP3 protocol, without having to have the regular email client program running. This adds a level of security by previewing the pending emails and selectively deleting them, and allows for more efficient computer resource management. It is primarily intended for installations that are always connected to a network that has access to a remote email server using TCP/IP, such as DSL, Cable Modems, and local intranets. EPAL is a 32-bit program for Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP that runs as a Tray application, with its icon of a yellow in-box always displayed in the Tray area (generally next to the Task Bars's time display in the screen's lower right-hand corner). The ePAL program uses a yellow in-box icon as a primary symbol, with additional symbols to indicate operation status. Positioning the mouse over its icon will display ePAL's status and message count as a hint line. If a sound type is selected, then it will be activated whenever ePAL detects new emails to be retrieved.