[SOLVED] Recommend an email service?

[doctordruidphd]

I have been using Yahoo for my email for many years, but it is going down the tubes. Just try and contact customer support...

What I need is a reliable pop/smtp mail service, I don't need all of the drooly "experience", just email that works. But I also want a service that is respectful of privacy, which things like facebook and google are not.

Any recommendations?

[GreyGeek]

Here is a list of what someone claims are the "top 19"
http://email.about.com/od/freeemailr...free_email.htm

I tried the GMX service but they are just a Google wannabe.

I doubt that there exists an email service that would respect your privacy, especially if their servers or nodes are in the US, China, UK, etc...

What email service does your local ISP offer?

[whatthefunk]

I switched from Yahoo to Fastmail about a year ago. Good service, although the free service mailbox is quite small. For a small yearly fee, you can get extra space and features. I dont know about their customer service as Ive never had any problems so far.

[vw72]

I'd second GreyGeek - what does your current ISP provide?

[SteveRiley]

Opera acquired Fastmail.fm in 2010. With the on-going speculation that Facebook might acquire Opera, Fastmail.fm appears to be off the list.

Using your ISP's email has a couple disadvantages. If you change your ISP, you also change your email address. And since one of the stated requirements is greater privacy, many ISP services should be discounted, as they frequently comply with official demands for interception.

[doctordruidphd]

Thanks for the replies.

I was thinking gmail, but I don't like the idea of their "contextual advertising." I guess I will try a free account and see if that garbage comes through on POPed messages.

Of course privacy wouldn't be a big issue if people would use encryption (i.e. Enigmail) bu that's like telling people to keep food and water on hand for emergencies...

As far as the local ISP is concerned, I don't know if they have anything, and even if they do, it means a loss of email service and change of address when/if I move, so that's not really what I want. I may just keep Yahoo, with the understanding that sooner or later it's going to break. I use their pay-for "plus" service, and I really expect something better than a "contact us" page that doesn't work, and no other way to contact them. Saves money on support staff, I guess.

[HalationEffect]

I've been using Bluebottle for my email for several years now, and I'm very pleased with their service. The standard account costs $9.95 per year, or for $24.95 you get extra bells & whistles.

https://mail.bluebottle.com/index.php

[GreyGeek]

....

Using your ISP's email has a couple disadvantages. If you change your ISP, you also change your email address. And since one of the stated requirements is greater privacy, many ISP services should be discounted, as they frequently comply with official demands for interception.

Good point, Steve. That is the main reason why I use my gmail account as my principal account, but I forgot to mention it. Another "senior moment". Gmail also has excellent spam and virus removal tools. I have it pass all the mail to my ISP email account and I link KMail only to my ISP account. Works nicely.

[Rod J]

+1 for Gmail.

I've been using Gmail for years now with minimal problems. Hardly ever see a spam mail as their filtering is excellent as GreyGeek said. I have Gmail fetching mail from my old Hotmail account too. I use Gmail with imap which works best for me. I rarely use Gmail in my browser and access my mail via Thunderbird so I've rarely seen any "contextual advertising".

[doctordruidphd]

I rarely use Gmail in my browser and access my mail via Thunderbird so I've rarely seen any "contextual advertising".

That's what I needed to know. Thanks.

[GreyGeek]

Hi, Rod J!!! Welcome aboard!