I've been working with computers (both micros and minis) since 1978. I build my own PC's when cash i...
I've been working with computers (both micros and minis) since 1978. I build my own PC's when cash is available and help friends understand their's.
Although I currently don't own a motorbike I enjoy biking and touring on them.
One of my favourit...
Member since:18.02.2001
Reviews:45
Members who trust:6
Web based email or POP (Post Office Protocol) email? Which do you need? Practically all ISP's these days offer a POP mail account so you can download your mail onto your machine and peruse as desired. You log on to your network, run Outlook Express or your prefered mail client and bingo, your mail is there to read. So why do people use Web Mail?
One reason is anonimty. A Web Mail account isn't directly traceable back to you. It can be done, but only with the mail provider's help. Every mail item you send with a POP account will have your return address hidden in it.
Another reason is conservation. Some people don't like mail messages on their hard drive and prefer to view them online and delete them as appropriate.
The choice is really a personal one but now there may be a new reason to opt to have a web based email account. A large number of email accounts such as Microsoft's Hotmail will allow you to pick up mail from your POP account and transfer it to their servers so you can view it online. Why is this a bonus? Imagine going on holiday for two weeks and you wish to keep abreast of your mail. You can hardly phone home to your ISP without incuring a large phone bill, but you can go to the nearest CyberCafe, log in to your Web Mail, and view your POP mail from there.
So Web Mail does have it's uses. You've just got to hope that there's a CyberCafe at your holiday destination or you know a local with internet access.
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In my previous comment, POP2 should be POP3. Sorry.
steve.toplis 15.04.2001 12:20
Your right BennyRialto, but so do NewsGroups and POP3 mail accounts.
There's no escaping the mass mailers these days. The concept of Web Mail though is well thought out. It's still ideal for people who have no access to a POP2 account or those that are away from their main machine.
Good point though. Steve.
BennyRialto 15.04.2001 11:45
One other thing I'd add - Spam. My hotmail account is forever clogged up with piles of crap sent from mysterious addresses which invariably turn out to be about porn sites, and I have absolutely no interest. It's just a daily frustration I could do without!
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