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| TOTALLY NEW TO WEB-BASED E-MAIL, and don't know where to start? |
It would probably be best to start with Yahoo.com (we've been personally using
them for years), because...
- They have the most advanced features as a free web e-mail provider, while also providing a simple and easy-to-use interface
- They have been a reliable web service since Jan 18, 1995
| NOTES ABOUT THE BELOW TABLE: |
- Except for the "Newbies," these e-mail providers were chosen based on popularity and/or reliability.
- E-Mail Providers are sorted by 'Domain Created On ...' date (from the first to the last).
- This table only indicates which features are included with the free service.
- Click the links for more information - you can easily
hyperlink back to where you started. The symbol means the link opens in a new
window.
- < aren't linked - they are only used to compress a lot of text.
| Domain Created On... | Languages Translation Sites |
Mail Forward | Storage Space | Filters: Anti-Spam / Custom | Virus Scanner | Retrieve via wireless device | POP3 Retrieval | Signature / Auto-Reply | Address Book | Spell Check | |
 More... |
Jan 18, 1995 | Y | 4 MB | Y / Y | Y | Y | Y | Y / Y | Y | Y | |
 More... |
Apr 13, 1995 | English | Y | 6 MB | Y / N | ? | Y |
Y | Y / Y | Y | Y |
 More... |
Sep 19, 1995 | English | Y | 3 MB | Y / Y | N | N |
Y | Y / Y | Y | Y |
 More... |
Mar 27, 1996 |  ,  ,  ,  |
N | 2 MB | Y / Y | Y | Y | N | Y / ? | Y | Y |
 More... |
Mar 24, 1997 | English | N | 10 MB | N / Y | N | ? | Y | Y / Y | Y | N |
| "Newbies" | |||||||||||
 More... |
May 14, 1998 | English | Y | 3 MB | N / Y | N | ? | Y | Y / Y | Y | N |
THE FOLLOWING ARE NOTES FOR THE ABOVE TABLE...
| INTERNET ARTICLES |
When the e-mail providers' help section didn't answer the question, the following websites did...
Information obtained according to About.com's...
- Review of Yahoo: http://email.about.com/cs/freeemailreviews/gr/yahoo_mail.htm
- Review of Lycos: http://email.about.com/cs/freeemailreviews/gr/lycos_mail.htm
- Review of Hotmail: http://email.about.com/cs/freeemailreviews/gr/msn_hotmail.htm
--
Back to POP3 Retrieval - Review of Mail: http://email.about.com/library/ec/pr/aapr_mail_com.htm
Information obtained according
to: http://www.dailyedeals.com/connect/email.htm
(view with caution, as some info. seems to be outdated)
| CHOSEN BASED ON POPULARITY AND/OR RELIABILITY |
- Popularity - based on internet articles, and our personal friends
- Reliability - have been online for some time, and should be a reliable e-mail address
- Back to Notes
| "NEWBIES" |
- Chosen because they appeared to be fresh and innovative...you decide
- Back to table
| TRANSLATION SITES |
Worldlingo's Dictionary and/or Website Translation (yes, it's free)
for languages...
| ^ click above link \/ doesn't go to website | |
Deutsch, English, Español, Français,
Italiano, Nederlands, Português (BR),  ,  , , , , |
|
| Source of Pics = Worldlingo.com
-- or, go here for more Credits |
|
| Back to table | |
Travlang's
Dictionary Translation (yes, it's free) for languages...
| ^ click above link \/ doesn't go to website | |
| + MORE (expressions for
travelers - LOTS of languages) |
|
| Afrikaans, C^esky, Dansk, Deutsch, Español, Esperanto, Français, Frysk, Italiano, Latina, Magyar, Nederlands, Norsk, Polski, Português (BR), Suomi, Svenska, Türkçe | |
| Back to table | |
| DEFINITIONS TO (possibly unfamiliar) TERMS |
DOMAIN CREATED ON...: |
The date the company (e-mail provider) registered their .com (domain name) via a registrar company, like Network Solutions. The dates listed in this field are from Network Solutions' Whois database.
|
MAIL FORWARD: |
You'll want this feature if you plan to "pass on" (forward) a message you received from one person to another person you know. Back to table |
STORAGE SPACE: |
The total file size you can keep in your mailbox (see below example). If you go beyond the storage space, e-mail providers will usually first give you a warning, and then prevent you from sending / receiving messages until you reduce the file size.
|
FILTERS: Anti-Spam (a.k.a. Junk Mail) / Custom |
Anti-Spam = The e-mail provider automatically filters out what it believes to be junk-mail (spam), and puts it into a special folder (usually called 'Bulk') for you to choose whether or not you want to keep it.
Custom = Allows you to set up your own filters.
|
VIRUS SCANNER: |
This usually means that you are given the option of having the e-mail provider scan attachment(s) from other people for viruses before you download it onto your computer. Back to table |
RETRIEVE VIA WIRELESS DEVICE: |
You'll want this feature if you want to check your e-mail through your mobile, PDA, or whatever other wireless devices you have.
|
POP3 RETRIEVAL: |
POP3 = Post Office Protocol. Meaning, you can retrieve your other (non-web-based) e-mail into these e-mail providers, but only (according to
About.com) allows you to use your Mail Reader (like Outlook, Pegasus, Eudora, etc...)
to retrieve messages.
|
SIGNATURE / AUTO-REPLY (a.k.a. Vacation Response): |
Signature = Lycos describes it best with..."you can customize your emails
with your own personal sign off, and we'll automatically attach it to the bottom of your
emails -- end with your address, a favorite quote, or the URL of your personal home
page"Auto-Reply (a.k.a. Vacation Response) = Does exactly what it says it does. If you won't have access to your e-mail (for whatever reason), use this feature to automatically reply to people who write to you. Back to table |
Whether or not the feature is available could not be answered. (More than likely, if the answer is not easily accessible, it usually means no.) Back to table |
| MORE INFO | Back to Internet Articles - Back to table |
| Notes | From E-Mail Providers' Website | Review(s) | |
| YAHOO |
Have personally used for years | Learn more at Yahoo.com |
About.com
Review |
| LYCOS |
Lycos.com
Help |
About.com
Review |
|
| EXCITE |
Storage Space = 3 MB or 1,000 messages (whichever comes first) | Excite.com Help |
|
| HOTMAIL |
Retrieve via wireless device? Yes, via their "MSN Mobile" service. Their help section on this topic doesn't say if it's free. |
Hotmail.com Help |
About.com
Review |
| MAIL |
Can pick from the following (your username@...) ^ you must sign with Mail.com to pick one - this pull-down menu is just for show
|
Mail.com
Help |
About.com
Review |
| OPERAMAIL |
Have personally used. How long they will stay free is uncertain. | Why
Operamail.com |
