Post by: Paddy on January 25, 2008, 09:33:52 AM
Just one more reason I'd never rely entirely on web mail!!
Post by: kimmer on January 25, 2008, 12:03:27 PM
Post by: Gregg on January 25, 2008, 12:06:49 PM
Post by: Highmac on January 25, 2008, 01:56:43 PM
Post by: Xairbusdriver on January 25, 2008, 03:45:19 PM
Post by: kimmer on January 25, 2008, 05:11:35 PM
QUOTE(Gregg @ Jan 25 2008, 10:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I've heard that it's possible to configure Mail so that it downloads your messages from a web based address to your hard drive. Is that so?
Yes -- if the web based mail folks allow it.
You can do this with Gmail (I do, in fact), not sure about yahoo mail.
Post by: Xairbusdriver on January 25, 2008, 05:33:29 PM
QUOTE
Yes -- if the web based mail folks allow it.
What?! I'm not allowed to download MY mail?! Why would anyone even want that kind of "service?" 
Post by: kimmer on January 25, 2008, 06:34:27 PM
QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Jan 25 2008, 03:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE
Yes -- if the web based mail folks allow it.
What?! I'm not allowed to download MY mail?! Why would anyone even want that kind of "service?" Well, if it's "free", it's their choice if they want to open up their servers to POP mail downloads -- which add to their bandwidth.
If it's a paid for email, then I wouldn't use it if I couldn't download it, but that's my choice.
I have 2 friends who pay for email, and can't download and they are very happy with the service.
Different strokes for different folks.
Post by: MamaMoose on January 25, 2008, 06:38:54 PM
However, there is a big "BUT". Say I have a slew (25 50) of important e-mails that come in overnight or during the day (that often happens to me). If my account is deleted by the ISP, then those e-mails are lost. In addition, once the account is gone all future e-mails to you will be bounced back to sender. That could be a disaster.
MamaMoose
Post by: Xairbusdriver on January 25, 2008, 07:51:02 PM
QUOTE
If my account is deleted by the ISP, then those e-mails are lost.
Of course. But you (and I) would still have all of our previous emails because we download them to our computer. I can only imagine that someone who never can or does download their email is using the 'service' purely for enjoyment/entertainment. I can't fathom any business not having physical possession of the companies/employees messages. Nor would I want to lose, because of some snafu at the ISP even the messages from my Grandkids. Furthermore, I often register at some sites that send a 'starter' password via email. And then there are the ones you may get when you forget one. Either way, I wouldn't trust any ISP to store that kind of info about me, I want that off their servers ASAP. As long as it's out there, it's searchable, accessible and insecure as far as I'm concerned. And "insecure" doesn't have to mean that a hacker can get, either. The whole point of this thread is that a major ISP trashed a lot of peoples messages, just hope most had downloaded the majority of them before hand. Of course, if an ISPs servers are hacked, any and all data could be available, but there's no use in tempting fate by leaving all my stuff on the table. The only reason I could justify a non-downloadable email account would be if they also provided me with unlimited aliases or mailboxes, throwaway accounts, in other words.
Leaving messages on some server is only marginally better than putting your personal info on something like Facebook (or even at TS!), IMHO. You have no idea who and when some other party might find or use your info. Just doesn't seem wise to me. Of course, I'm paranoid, like that! 
Post by: Paddy on January 25, 2008, 08:15:46 PM
One option offered by Mail is keeping the mail on the server for a period of time - one day, one week or one month after you've downloaded it. This can be handy when traveling etc. - or if your HD decides to pack it in on a busy email day between backups!! I've got my mail set to remain on Rogers' server for a week after it's downloaded. Very handy, as it turned out.
Post by: Mayo on January 25, 2008, 09:43:48 PM
I have Eudora set to download mail every five minutes, so my exposure is limited. Mail that accumulates overnight or when I am away is vulnerable; I suppose if one is very concerned about losing messages a Mac could be easily scheduled to start-up just long enough to fetch mail.
There are people who use e-mail but don't have a permanent address. Some people like a young, hard-working friend of mine cannot afford an Internet connection even though he has a hand-me-down PC. He deals with his e-mail at Internet cafes or the public library. He doesn't rely on e-mail like I do; it is much easier to get in touch with him via his cell phone. I suppose that is one difference between being 23 and 53 in 2008...
Post by: sandbox on January 26, 2008, 12:01:10 AM
I used to run a mail server that only handled email. Like Mayo it downloaded every 10 minutes 24/7 but as my tasked changed my needs for the server were diminished.
Such an elaborate configuration may not be needed for personal email, but on commercial accounts the system has served me well.