Best, basic free webmail service?

[UKSBD]

What do people recommend nowadays as a Free webmail service I can just set up for computer illiterate people?

Gmail has just too much baggage now.

Hotmail makes you jump through loops and sign up with Windows Live

Yahoo looks about the same

Is there just an absolute basic webmail service anymore, or is Hotmail still the best?

I could just set up multiple emails on one of my sites and give seperate wemnail access, is that a good option?

 

[cmcp]

I'd have thought the spam protection with the bigger providers would balance out the baggage / sign up processes

 

[UKSBD]

I'd have thought the spam protection with the bigger providers would balance out the baggage / sign up processes

Yeah, I'm inclined to agree with you.

I'm trying to set it up so 3 or 4 people in my village can just send me stuff by email every now and then though.

Chances are they probably already have email addresses but just don't know how to use them

I thought it would be simpler to set up webmail rather than faff with their email settings, I can just see what would happen though.

I'll get a call a week later saying instant messenger has appeared or something keeps asking to update

 

[Talay]

I've used Gmail almost exclusively since inception and whilst I like it 95% of the time, I feel as though the crap which comes with it is starting to overpower it, which I think is what you are saying.

I suspect the alternative is a paid for service, but from whom ?

 

[adamcooke]

The "Best, basic free webmail service" is Gmail and miles ahead of Hotmail or Yahoo IMO.

 

[kevin.doran]

Have you tried GMX?

 

[UKSBD]

I've used Gmail almost exclusively since inception and whilst I like it 95% of the time, I feel as though the crap which comes with it is starting to overpower it, which I think is what you are saying.

I suspect the alternative is a paid for service, but from whom ?

Yeah,
I'm talking about people who haven't a clue.
If it means setting up gmail for them it means setting up a google account and then all that comes with it.

If I set up gmail I know I would get questions about all the messages they receive (ads to you and me)

The only reason for setting this email up for them is so they can send me stuff, I'm thinking set them an email address on my own domain and setting them up seperate webmail may be the best route.

 

[123Simples]

The only reason for setting this email up for them is so they can send me stuff, I'm thinking set them an email address on my own domain and setting them up seperate webmail may be the best route.

Which might be okay but wouldn't a better option be (rather than use your own domain) setup a domain for exclusive email use for your customers? They could then have a generic email address each still and use webmail, but not directly through the domain you use yourself for your own business

 

[UKSBD]

Which might be okay but wouldn't a better option be (rather than use your own domain) setup a domain for exclusive email use for your customers? They could then have a generic email address each still and use webmail, but not directly through the domain you use yourself for your own business

Thanks,
yes, that is what I meant really, just use one of my spare ones.

I have horde, squirrelmail or roundcube.
Which would you say is best (best as in, idiot proof and simplistic, rather than features)

 

[cmcp]

Remember another benefit of using a third party, the liability is on them. If it's your hosted system they'll expect you to show them how to use it and provide support, not to mention when email (allegedly) goes missing who they gonna call? you!

 

[123Simples]

I would probably suggest Roundcube from those 3 choices. But cmcp is also correct in who is going to shoulder the responsibility - it depends on how many emails they will send you, and also will they be using to then send other people emails?

Do you have your own server or are you using someone elses server? Because they all have varying terms and conditions on email usage

 

[FirstClassVirtualOffice]

Roundcube, but when they wise up they will want something much better like gmail. A lot of people claim to be technophobes... then you find out they've got accounts with ebay, facebook, etc. so they're not all as clueless as they lead you to believe!

 

[amich]

Have you tried GMX?

I would second this. I use GMX and have had no problems in two years of use. Registration is from memory fairly easy; web interface is OK but it also offers POP access; they don't send too much spam; you can have up to 10 email addresses per account.

Definitely worth a look IMO.

 

[MASSEY]

I do hate the baggage with free emails, but they do catch all the numpty spammers, or most of them. I mainly use emails that come free with hosting now, but the spam is terrible.

 

[UKSBD]

I would probably suggest Roundcube from those 3 choices. But cmcp is also correct in who is going to shoulder the responsibility - it depends on how many emails they will send you, and also will they be using to then send other people emails?

Do you have your own server or are you using someone elses server? Because they all have varying terms and conditions on email usage

Thanks, but this really is just one of those very basic things where it is for people just to send me stuff just once a month at the most.

To give a bit of background info,
I maintain the village website and it's basically so the person who does the local pcc minutes can send them to me, the person who does the bell ringing can send stuff to me twice a year, etc. etc.

Why they can't email this stuff to me now I have no idea, it's obviously typed out on a PC as it appears in flyers and on village noticeboard etc.

 

[ecenica]

The only reason for setting this email up for them is so they can send me stuff, I'm thinking set them an email address on my own domain and setting them up seperate webmail may be the best route.

Have you considered hosting your own ticket system as an alternative?

I know of Ecenica customers using the free OS ticket for similar uses;

http://osticket.com/

Rich

 

[johnwags]

I like the interface of Gmail, it is very simple and user friendly. but the concern of spam filters, Aol and Hotmail are the best webmails i think.

 

[Talay]

Set up domain, register with Google Apps and have [email protected] for around £10 a year ?

 

[coronaborcalis]

In my opinion the easiest way is buy domain and integrate with Google Apps. So you will have exclusive domain for your email and once your people need email you just create it on admin and give them their password and done but if your user more than 10 peoples you will be charged

 

[coronaborcalis]

--Double Post--

 

[fisicx]

If you have the village website why can't you use your squirrlemail (my fave) and set up some new accounts. It takes about 30 second using cpanel.

Or am I missing something?

 

[Jeff FV]

Another thought (although you've probably already had it), could you have a private section on your (village) website with a contact form that will accept attachments?

That way, all you have to do is bookmark that page for your correspondents, give them the password and show them how to use it and you needn't worry about any emails that they will get as its a one way process.

Just a thought

Jeff

 

[fisicx]

^^An excellent solution

 

[Chunkford]

You should be able to use google apps and restrict all the crap you don't want per user, but then jeff's idea is sooooo much better for your situation.

Check out this script. I've used it before and recommend it if it helps at all http://www.ajaxformpro.com/

 

[UKSBD]

If you have the village website why can't you use your squirrlemail (my fave) and set up some new accounts. It takes about 30 second using cpanel.

Or am I missing something?

That's basically what I said in the OP.

Just thought if there was an equally as good Free webmail option I could set that up for them so they could use it elsewhere and I'm not involved in anyway.

 

[UKSBD]

Another thought (although you've probably already had it), could you have a private section on your (village) website with a contact form that will accept attachments?

That way, all you have to do is bookmark that page for your correspondents, give them the password and show them how to use it and you needn't worry about any emails that they will get as its a one way process.

Just a thought

Jeff

Yes, I may occasionaly want to reply to them too though.
(if they ever check their webmail that is)

 

[Websitehandyman]

I have used fastmail.fm now for must be ten years and never paid a penny or had any issues. The are piad option but I think the basic is right up your street. The service is owned by the same company that produces the Opera browser.