Ok, This Email thing has got me loopy

Here's what I got and I am LOST as to how to set it up.

I have a server. On that server I have win2003 and MS SQL. 2000. I am serving my sql version of my forum to the internet from that server with a static IP over a T-1 connection. (I have a local network and everything is behind a suitable router and firewall.) I have installed the pop3 and smtp email stuff that came packaged with win23k (cdosys?)

I also have a domain name. towtalk.net. It is being hosted by the same people that host my towing website (skytowing.com) I simply built a redirect page to my forum server which really resides at http://206.168.97.226/towtalk/forum/default.asp

The website host is fatcow.com a company I have been with since 2001

The whole email thing has me in a tizzy. I know it has got to be simple but I just can't seem to figure it out. Do I need to make my machine the host of towtalk.net? (setting it up as it's own dns?) or is there a way I can make use of my hosts ( fatcow's) setup to send and receive emails from the forum?

My brain hurts and I can't really seem to find documentation (that I can understand) to help me get this done.

Thanks.

I am busy learning the whole DNS thing as you suggested. I'm not one for patching a symptom, would rather fix the problem.

This is my first server. Now I know why IT guys get paid so well.