Dump AOL and use Google mail, Yahoo mail, ... please advise

[Kolesar]

My brother is paying a lot for AOL. I want him to get a cheaper dialup service for around $10/month. I am advising him to switch to gmail or Yahoo mail: then he can keep his address if he changes services or needs to use his email from remote locations.

He actually uses his email for work, so this has to be "well considered". I have been using Yahoo email for ten years as my "extra" email account. Yahoo seems to be ok. I have never used Google email. Do people recommend Google email? Are there privacy concerns with "either" service? Are there any other free email services that one might recommend? thanks

[Why Syzygy]

1. gmail is miles ahead of yahoo mail or hotmail

It does an excellent job of sorting out spam and receives a tiny fraction of spam compared to yahoo.
It has advanced label and filter options. Lately I have resorted to using their plain html version rather than the advanced due to browser (Opera) stalling issues. Both versions are excellent. There is the advertising side bar, which you'll find with every web based mail. Gmail has free pop service, unlike yahoo, so he could use an offline mail client like Outlook Express or Thunderbird.

[Kolesar]

2. That's what I wanted to know!

So, tell him that he should use plain email and not "advanced" Google email. :) I thank you and Mom's family budget thanks you.

Is Thunderbird part of the Sun-Open Windows "freeware" package?

[Why Syzygy]

3. Thunderbird is Mozilla

http://www.mozillamessaging.com/en-US/thunderbird/

Outlook Express is part of Internet Explorer/Windows.

He should try the advanced option first, and if there are no browser issues, it's fine. I prefer the advanced version, but my limitation is strictly due to Opera. If he uses a different browser, he shouldn't have any problems with the advanced version.

Personal preference when using pop mail.. I like to "leave a copy of the message on the server" (advanced options in mail setup). That's what makes the web mail truly accessible from any location. Otherwise it is downloaded onto local machine and deleted from the web server.

ps. Any of these options are better than AOL!

[Kolesar]

4. I will advise him to use Google mail and introduce the pop-concepts later

Thanks again :hi:

[qanda]

5. I have gmail, yahoo and msn

I used to use gmail more than anything, but recently I've been using msn/hotmail more and more. It has really come a long way and you can use your hotmail id to log into skydrive, live mesh, my phone and messenger. I know when I have an email because they enable you to have text alerts send to your phone. The ability to search your email and contacts is excellent. I love it. For some reason gmail seems too cluttered anymore. All of the services are free so I would try out both and whichever one you decide to keep, just have the mail from the one you don't want forwarded to the one you like.