Free Web Mail

in_flu_ence · #1 (**permalink**) 28-08-2004, 02:51 AM

Although it is not my own rating about any web mail, i believe this article in cnet might be useful for those who are finding the best solution.

Full Article: Click Here

CNet Reviews:
GMail:Click Here
MSN Hotmail: Click Here
Lycos Mail: Click Here
Netscape Mail: Click Here
Yahoo! Mail: Click Here

These few are the web mail services by the most established companies in the cyberworld. Which is better? Only you can tell.

futurz · #2 (**permalink**) 01-07-2005, 08:47 PM

I have found (maybe just me) that GMail and MSN are the most popular choice among internet users (youngsters).

Personally using both having 2GB+ for Gmail and 250Mb for MSN. Both are very user-friendly. I find that Gmail can filter junks much better than MSN (however, not sure if there is any useful mail being filtered till I don't see it in the junk box).

Interfaces are very easy to use with MSN offering interface in other languages.

:wink:

W.Harbaugh · #3 (**permalink**) 14-05-2006, 11:08 PM

Gmail is byfar the best...It's clean, easy to use, friendly, etc....everyone should use it :-)

Ramage · #4 (**permalink**) 16-05-2006, 08:19 AM

Gmail is great free WebMail, how could it lose to Yahoo Mail? :P
Lycos and Netscape Web Mail? Never heard of them, sound quite nice though.

ninikins · #5 (**permalink**) 16-05-2006, 10:47 PM

I really, REALLY dislike yahoo mail. I just don't get on with it. I use hotmail and gmail and I'm perfectlyhappy with those. Thanks for the link.

brian · #6 (**permalink**) 17-05-2006, 11:52 AM

The trouble I personally have with Gmail, as the impression given is that it was only set up to collect user data. I don't like the privacy concerns that raises.

ninikins · #7 (**permalink**) 21-05-2006, 11:19 PM

What are the privacy problems Brian? I feel kind of stupid but I never heard of any trouble, would like to hear about that

brian · #8 (**permalink**) 22-05-2006, 08:03 PM

Well, basically, you're providing Google with free access to do with what they want with all the personal information in your emails. And I can assure you, Google are data-minging Gmail to track user behaviour.

That in itself is one issue - that's a hazard with any free email service - but it's the fact that Google has so many other products, and can process that information and share it amongst their different product areas - all without you having any rights to stop them using that information as they wish.

2c.

Ramage · #9 (**permalink**) 22-05-2006, 09:19 PM

I don't believe that Google would do such a thing

Is this info included in their ToS or something?

triumph · #10 (**permalink**) 23-05-2006, 12:24 AM

Personally I like using my own mail hosting. I used to have a host who had the best webmail interface. I used webmail exclusively for years. Now my new provider has horde and squirrel and I hate both of them, so all of my mail is managed with Imap and Thunderbird.

I have accounts with all of them, but I like the flexibility of my own accounts focused with real domain names. A lot of them I have set up with auto-forwarding as a catch-all so I can make up names on the fly for sites.

So if I register with a site, I can make a unique address for them, so I can catch spammers and e-mail resellers, etc.

Ramage · #11 (**permalink**) 23-05-2006, 08:20 AM

Yes I agree, you own personal web-addressed e-mail is much more unique and special. You also get to have very important names like 'admin' or 'webmaster'

monaghan · #12 (**permalink**) 23-05-2006, 09:40 AM

I only use things like Gmail or hotmail for known things that are likely to get spam, so I guess this distorts Google's view of me

The unique email per site is useful, I remember when we moved house about 5 years ago, I started getting spam on the address I registered at the estate agent with, so could immediately challenge them over why they'd abused my address

brian · #13 (**permalink**) 26-05-2006, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramage

I don't believe that Google would do such a thing

Is this info included in their ToS or something?

You really don't? I somehow find that really scary if any Google user doesn't think Google isn't tracking everything they do.

Here's a couple of the more extreme commentaries on privacy issues with Gmail and Google:

http://www.google-watch.org/gmail.html
http://www.google-watch.org/krane.html

ninikins · #14 (**permalink**) 05-06-2006, 10:55 PM

wow. Thanks for those links, brian. I guess I was a bit naive about that kind of thing.

brian · #15 (**permalink**) 06-06-2006, 11:59 AM

Like I said, they are somewhat extreme positions - but I have very real privacy concerns about Google especially, but also the other ISPs, on how they treat user data. At present it seems anything goes.

triumph · #16 (**permalink**) 15-06-2006, 10:51 PM

I am trying to think what I even use my gmail account. I am not even really sure. I have so many domains now, I have unlimited e-mail addresses, and with catch-alls on each domain, I can make up new e-mail addresses on the fly, so I can often determine who sent me spam or gave out my e-mail.

I only wish I had a better web-based client. I actually offered a web-based mail to customers back in 1995, when almost nobody was doing it. I have always loved web-based mail clients.

Nightracer · #17 (**permalink**) 16-06-2006, 05:58 AM

I only have a Gmail address as it was required for something, I can't remember what. But yeah, I dont use it at all.
I did not know about the privacy issues before now but that scares me!

Does Hotmail have the same issues?

-thoma- · #18 (**permalink**) 09-09-2006, 03:24 PM

Gmail is my favorite by fair because it is so quick and easy, and the name is fairly easy to remember because it is very well-known. They also offer so much space which I love. I haven't deleted one message on there besides spam.

daria564 · #19 (**permalink**) 18-09-2006, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninikins

wow. Thanks for those links, brian. I guess I was a bit naive about that kind of thing.

me too. wow, that's really creepy.

Hoosierhunter · #20 (**permalink**) 23-09-2006, 11:13 PM

As far as Gmail and Yahoo, I have an account for each, but I don't use them for mail. Yahoo was needed for access to groups. Gmail was needed for access to some website tools. I can't remember what, but I needed a google account for it. I think that Yahoo numbers can also be inflated due to auctions and other services, not just people depending on them for mail.