Email service providers
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TV ClubHouse: Archive: All Things Technical for BB 2003 (computer stuff): Email service providers

Beruthiel

Monday, September 01, 2003 - 05:42 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hi, I know this isn't strictly a 'technical' question, but I thought I'd ask here since everyone is always so helpful.

I'll just explain a little... when I first started to browse, I had no idea that I should be careful of giving my email address, and ended up being a spammer's delight.
Last year when my server changed hands and told us we all had to use a new address, I knew better, so I've been very careful of where I give out my new address, and now I don't get spam at all. My son also has a spam blocker set up too, so I'm in a good situation.

But, there are times when I'd like to be more free, and so my question is, do companies like AOL, Hotmail and Yahoo, for example, provide a good email service? I'm wondering which are best, and whether or not it would be a good idea to sign up for one of these places so that I can have an email addy that I wouldn't mind being known.
Thanks in advance for ANY comments at all, pro or con, since I'm totally ignorant about this topic!

Justareader

Monday, September 01, 2003 - 08:25 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hey Beruthiel!! I have lots of email accounts: one is my aol email that I have had for more than 7 years and don't use for anything but get a lot of spam (i keep it for sentimental reasons and incase i must return to dialup) -horrors-, the one i use from my DSL provider and is my personal email that I have use for personal things and give to those reputable business I know won't be selling it to others and it is still pretty spam free (i do unsubscribe to the occasional stray) and finally I have my spam central email the one i leave at sights that require one for the info I want: it is a netscape.net account. I also keep a hotmail account through msn.com. I only correspond with a few friends with this. I find yahoo mail a pain to get to because of all the ads...
so I would suggest trying a few and see what format you like the best. all above provide free email accounts...

Draheid

Monday, September 01, 2003 - 08:26 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Beruthiel: I have many e-mail addys at Yahoo, Hotmail, & Excite for various reasons. They all work pretty well with the included spam & junk-mail filters they offer.

One really helpful tip I learned was that the longer your e-mail name, the more difficult it is to spam. I've also seen people who post an e-mail for someone else, in order to keep it from being 'harvested' by anyone will change it a little with instructions on how to use it. For example I might say my e-mail is draheidknickers@hotmail.com (remove knickers to send e-mail) and a 'human' would understand but a computer wouldn't have much luck with it.

Hope this helps.

Edit to add: You can also use non-alpha characters in your address to make it even more difficult, such as I might use draH.eiD@hotmail.com as an example.

Beruthiel

Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 12:14 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks for your helpful info, Justareader and Draheid!
I'll go and have a look around now that I have an inkling of the possibilities.
I"m sure you know that a constant diet of spam can be a very real pain in the rear, especially when it is totally unsuitable for a woman of advancing years - I'm sure you can figure out the type I'm referring to, LOL! I didn't want to let that happen again when I got my new address, but I also don't want to be incognito everywhere I go, so I appreciate your help.
Hugs to you both!
Ruth :-D

Beruthiel

Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 04:13 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hi,
Well, I took the plunge and signed up for Hotmail, since we use Explorer and have MSN as our homnepage! I added it to my profile, so I'm not incommunicado any more!

Cliotheleo

Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 02:55 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Just want to add that I've also used Yahoo for quite a while and been very happy with it, esp. in regard to filtering out junk mail. Of course I always fill up allocated space and get that annoying "you're mailbox is almost full" message but what do you want for nothing? :)

Ketil

Sunday, September 14, 2003 - 01:01 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I just found out about a "disposable" email service.

http://www.mailinator.com

Basically, if you are on one of those sites that insists on you forking over an email address, you can make one up on the spot. Mailinator creates the address for a few hours so you can check mail there. It then trashes that address until someone else uses it.

This is not meant to be a secure method of communication. There is no password so anyone can view the email. However, it is an easy, convenient way to give an address when you have to.

Read the FAQ for more info.
http://www.mailinator.com/mailinator/Faq.do