January Poll: What online e-mail service do you primarily use?

[Computer Hope Admin]

For the month of January and new year we thought it would be interesting to see what online e-mail service you use. Feel free to comment about why you use the online service you do, problems you've had with it, why you like it, etc.

After voting if you haven't already read The Oatmeal: What your email address says about your computer skills, it's worth a read. 

All past monthly polls and results can also be found on the Computer Hope poll page.

p.s. Sorry a little late in posting this because of all yearly site updates. 

[soybean]

I use an email account provided by my ISP as my primary account.  I've used an ISP-based email account ever since my first Internet access with CompuServe (no longer exists).  Can't remember exactly how long ago that was; I guess it could be about 20 years.  Later came the first DSL service with Sprint, which the local telephone company at the time.  I still live in the same area but telecommunications here has changed hands several times.  Before Sprint was United Telephone (no DSL back then).  Sprint's era ended when a company named Embarq took over this area.  And, Embarq was later superseded by CenturyLink (CenturyLink.net), my current telephone service and DSL provider.

CenturyLink continued to support the former Embarq email addresses so I'm still using an address ending in @embarqmail.com.  I've always used these ISP-based email accounts with POP email client but have also used webmail access to them at times.

I do have a Yahoo! Mail account, a gmail account, and a Live Hotmail account but the ISP account remains my primary account.  Why these other accounts?  Well, mainly just to be familiar with them in case someone asks questions about them.

[rthompson80819]

I too, use my ISPs email as my primary account although I'm not completely happy with it, but I'm too lazy to change.  But I also have a gmail account set up if I decide to change ISPs.

Over the years I've used ccmail, Lotus notes, Outlook and Outlook express.  For the most part they are all the same, but slightly different.

[mroilfield]

After voting if you haven't already read The Oatmeal: What your email address says about your computer skills, it's worth a read. 

Well there goes me changing my email address now. 

[lordvader781]

After voting if you haven't already read The Oatmeal: What your email address says about your computer skills, it's worth a read. 

That's a funny read. I guess I am in the clear. I use Gmail and do know more than a thing or two about computers. I cannot say the same for other members of my family who use hotmail.

[BC_Programmer]

I use hotmail. I could give myself another @bc-programming.com address but that would be entirely vain. Besides, I'd need to keep my hotmail account anyway for notifications from my webhost.

[overthehill]

Well I read the "Oatmeal" and it's probably just as well that there was nothing there in regards to my email account provider. Some here and many in other circles do not regard "Incredimail" very highly. But, it's been my choice. If one has something that works well and something that they are happy with, what the hay? I had my (many) issues with this "outfit" at the outset and the support (from my experience) is little to non-existent. Why I hung on in the beginning is unexplainable, but hung on I did. When things got better with the little help that I did receive , I actually paid 20 bucks (as I recall) for the paid version. Incredimail is (I think), mainly noted for the extra add-ons, all the glitter and many features that many don't need or even want. I don't use many of these features either but there are a few that are very nice. For example I have my notifier set so when I receive an email from CH, (and I'm online)I know where the email is coming from and is shows that I have a new message right in the middle of my screen. Kind of a nice feature when you're either looking for help or receiving a reply. At least you know that it's not your neighbor with another stupid joke.There may be other accounts that have a feature such as what I just described but that's not something that I'm familiar with. There's also a few more features that are quite neat. Also the look, main page setup, and the skins are very much to my liking. Also, this version ,XE, has been trouble free for a very long time.

I also have Windows Live Mail as an email account, won't use it unless or until I have to. I did use Outlook Express for many years but once I found Incredimail, I changed over. As strange as it may seem many of my email contacts are also using Incredimail (maybe I talked them into it??). Don't remember. Anyway for me, it's Incredimail XE. But, not Incredimail2, can't stand it. I won't go into all the reasons(but, I do have some). So now you know my choice for an email account. But I must admit, this is the same old fella who's favorite meal is sauerkraut,smoked pork hocks and hot peppers. I also prefers IE as my browser over everything else. Anyway, like I've also seen here on CH many times, that's just me. overthehill

[BC_Programmer]

Well I read the "Oatmeal" and it's probably just as well that there was nothing there in regards to my email account provider. Some here and many in other circles do not regard "Incredimail" very highly.

Incredimail is an E-mail Client; I don't think they actually give you an E-mail address. The poll here is more for what is at the end of your address; @hotmail.com, or @bc-programming.com or @aol.com and whatnot- not ones choice of E-mail client. I think that was another poll at some point)

For example I have my notifier set so when I receive an email from CH, (and I'm online)I know where the email is coming from and is shows that I have a new message right in the middle of my screen. Kind of a nice feature when you're either looking for help or receiving a reply.

I can't even think of a E-mail client that doesn't have that feature, actually.

[overthehill]

Thanks for the expanation B_C.  Now that you've explained that, we won't talk about my client. overthehill

[harry 48]

i use yahoo for my mail


Quote
For example I have my notifier set so when I receive an email from CH, (and I'm online)I know where the email is coming from and is shows that I have a new message right in the middle of my screen. Kind of a nice feature when you're either looking for help or receiving a reply.


quote
I can't even think of a E-mail client that doesn't have that feature, actually.

this does not happen with yahoo , at least not on my pc 
 
 

[patio]

i use yahoo for my mail


Quote
For example I have my notifier set so when I receive an email from CH, (and I'm online)I know where the email is coming from and is shows that I have a new message right in the middle of my screen. Kind of a nice feature when you're either looking for help or receiving a reply.


quote
I can't even think of a E-mail client that doesn't have that feature, actually.

this does not happen with yahoo , at least not on my pc 

Because Yahoo is not an e-mail client...it's an online web based portal.

BC is correct here...

[harry 48]

Because Yahoo is not an e-mail client...it's an online web based portal.

BC is correct here...

ok i did not know that , so would  i not have an email client as such

[overthehill]

Because Yahoo is not an e-mail client...it's an online web based portal.

BC is correct here...

I'm not doubting you guys for a second. But it's a little confusing. My ISP provides an email service, (it not com., but an extension nevertheless, such as org.,net., etc. ) is that a client? overthehill

[Salmon Trout]

I'm not doubting you guys for a second. But it's a little confusing. My ISP provides an email service, (it not com., but an extension nevertheless, such as org.,net., etc. ) is that a client? overthehill

An email client is a program or if you prefer a software application which you run on your local computer. Examples: Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express, Eudora, Mozilla Thunderbird.

[overthehill]

An email client is a program or if you prefer a software application which you run on your local computer. Examples: Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express, Eudora, Mozilla Thunderbird.

Sorry, but with all due respect, I just can't get it through my head. What makes (for example) Eudora or Outlook Express, any more of an email client than Incredimail, which is also a program or software application which I run on my local computer? overthehill

[Salmon Trout]

What makes (for example) Eudora or Outlook Express, any more of an email client than Incredimail ... ?

Nothing. Those examples are desktop email client software applications. So is the software application called Incredimail. What is it that you are confused about?*

Wikipedia: IncrediMail Ltd. (NASDAQ: MAIL) is an Israeli company that develops and markets e-mail client programs and other personal desktop software for the consumer and home user markets.

*[Edit] I think I see the reason for your confusion. You wrote:

My ISP provides an email service, (it not com., but an extension nevertheless, such as org.,net., etc. ) is that a client? overthehill

Your ISP runs an email server somewhere, connected to the internet . They give you a user name, password and an email address and you get the functions that you expect - send & receive emails. That is the "service". Now to use your ISP's email server you need a "client" program on your computer.  It sounds like maybe your ISP supplied the Incredimail software for you to use but in fact you will almost certainly find that you may use any email client software application you like.

[harry 48]

so what your saying is that my isp installed Outlook Express as my email client , which i choose not to use.

i use yahoo.co.uk , but as patio said it's not an email client it's an online web based portal , what ever that is 

[michaewlewis]

I use Yahoo! Mail..... I guess that explains a lot. If I could just figure out how to upgrade to gmail, I would be a whole lot smarter!

[soybean]

so what your saying is that my isp installed Outlook Express as my email client , which i choose not to use.

No, he wasn't saying that.  All Windows (XP and prior versions) systems have Outlook Express.  It's a Microsoft product.  Salmon Trout said you could use Outlook Express instead of using Incredimail.   

i use yahoo.co.uk , but as patio said it's not an email client it's an online web based portal , what ever that is 

"online web based portal" means you access it via your web browser, not a separate email program, or email client (Incredimail, Outlook Express, etc.).

[harry 48]

No, he wasn't saying that.  All Windows (XP and prior versions) systems have Outlook Express.  It's a Microsoft product.  Salmon Trout said you could use Outlook Express instead of using Incredimail.   
"online web based portal" means you access it via your web browser, not a separate email program, or email client (Incredimail, Outlook Express, etc.).

thanks soybean for that

[Salmon Trout]

I never mentioned Outlook Express.

[soybean]

I never mentioned Outlook Express.

Oops, my bad.  Anyway, the point is Outlook Express is an example of an email client, as opposed to webmail.   

[Salmon Trout]

Oops, my bad.  Anyway, the point is Outlook Express is an example of an email client, as opposed to webmail.

I just don't want anybody thinking I would recommend Outlook Express to anybody... 

[soybean]

I just don's want anybody thinking I would recommend Outlook Express to anybody... 

Whatever floats your boat.  But, I've used it for years and have no reservations about recommending it.   

[Allan]

Guys - if you're going to continue that conversation perhaps you can start a new thread? Thanks.

[southernboy]

yahoo

[Tectonic]

I am using hotmail, an account I have since the 90ies. Never changed.
I do have email with gmail and yahoo too, but I dont use them so much.

[blackrainbow]

i have a hot mail gmail yahoo and i use motzila's thunderbird's email client

[sagebrush]

Gmail is my main online, Yahoo is a minor. Have my Outlook email program all sent to gmail so when on the road I can receive every email sent to the house and answer.

[soybean]

Have my Outlook email program all sent to gmail ...

How did you do that?

[soybean]

i have a hot mail gmail yahoo and i use motzila's thunderbird's email client

Which account(s) do you use Thunderbird for?  The free Yahoo account is not a POP-enabled email service, so I presume you're not using Thunderbird for it.