Question for tech savy types

Big Leegr

Big Leegr

Swirls?!?! NNOOOOOOO!!!!!
A friend of mine is getting a laptop and is planning on using it just at wifi zones, so he won't have a "real" e-mail account. What's the "best" online account to get? Gmail? HotMail? Yahoo? Other? :hmmm:
It should be easy to log into, easy to use (first time using a computer, from what I gather) and not have spam/reselling of addresses. :idea
 
Big Leegr said:
A friend of mine is getting a laptop and is planning on using it just at wifi zones, so he won't have a "real" e-mail account. What's the "best" online account to get? Gmail? HotMail? Yahoo? Other? :hmmm:
It should be easy to log into, easy to use (first time using a computer, from what I gather) and not have spam/reselling of addresses.
Click to expand...

no idea :idea you know technology mocks me too :lol2:
 
For online mail Yahoo is a good choice, however his service provider will give him the ability to make more than one address. I'm with att and can make up 6 email addresses.

I would also caution your buddy if he hasn't brought his LT, make sure he looks at the software package and what you are getting. In today's market some systems do not come with MS word and excel program and outlook for email management, those have to be purchased from MS direct and can add big time to the cost
 
Beemerboy said:
For online mail Yahoo is a good choice, however his service provider will give him the ability to make more than one address. I'm with att and can make up 6 email addresses.

I would also caution your buddy if he hasn't brought his LT, make sure he looks at the software package and what you are getting. In today's market some systems do not come with MS word and excel program and outlook for email management, those have to be purchased from MS direct and can add big time to the cost
Click to expand...

Or you could download MS Office compatible Open Office suite for free. ;)
 
Big Leegr said:
A friend of mine is getting a laptop and is planning on using it just at wifi zones, so he won't have a "real" e-mail account. What's the "best" online account to get? Gmail? HotMail? Yahoo? Other? :hmmm:
It should be easy to log into, easy to use (first time using a computer, from what I gather) and not have spam/reselling of addresses. :idea
Click to expand...
I've had my Hotmail for the longest period, and I use it most often. MS has made several tweaks and improvements over the years. I will get some junk mail but they do a pretty good job of directing that to my junk mail folder. A couple of years ago I added a Gmail account and use it for a small subset of businesses. I actually prefer the Hotmail UI to the GMAIL, it might be familiarity. My kids (no matter their ages, they'll always be our kids :)) both use Yahoo. I tried to sign up with Yahoo back when I was setting up Hotmail, but couldn't get the ID I wanted. I doubt your friend will have a problem with any of the three you have listed.

A note on internet provider's supplied e-mails, which doesn't sound like it will apply in your case, but...:) They are nice, I've got one and as mentioned they allow you to have several accounts (I think I'm allowed 8 with my current provider) and they might sound more professional than having a "free" account name in the extension...here it comes...that but...when you change providers, yep, they are gone and everyone that has you set up with that addy just lost contact. Just a thought, coming from experience.

JaredPointer said:
Or you could download MS Office compatible Open Office suite for free. ;)
Click to expand...
Do tell. How long have you used it? Any problems or even minor incompatibilities? Easy on resources or hoggish?
 
I used it some when I was in school. Just think of a generic version of the office programs, and there you go. I never had any problems with it.

Sorry so short - typing on the iPhone whilst I sit at the doctor's office....
 
Big Leegr said:
A friend of mine is getting a laptop and is planning on using it just at wifi zones, so he won't have a "real" e-mail account. What's the "best" online account to get? Gmail? HotMail? Yahoo? Other? :hmmm:
It should be easy to log into, easy to use (first time using a computer, from what I gather) and not have spam/reselling of addresses. :idea
Click to expand...

I use my ISP (Roadrunner) with Thunderbird for primary but have other email accounts I do not use. I do not like web access type email although it has the advantage to be accessible from any system connected to the internet.
 
Beemerboy said:
For online mail Yahoo is a good choice, however his service provider will give him the ability to make more than one address. I'm with att and can make up 6 email addresses.
Click to expand...

As I mentioned in the original post:
Big Leegr said:
A friend of mine is getting a laptop and is planning on using it just at wifi zones, so he won't have a "real" e-mail account.
Click to expand...
He won't be getting an ISP account as he won't be getting internet at home. It will be only through the internet hotspots/cafes/etc. (for now, at least)

As to the programs, he's looking at just teleconferencing with family and e-mailing. He'd be able to make a go of it with word pad to write letters if needed. (Although he hasn't bought a printer yet, so I doubt that's too much of a concern for him thus far.)


Thanks for the replies so far! :howdy
 
My son-in-law does the same thing. He works in construction and is always on the road at hotels and such. He bought a laptop just to use for wi-fi spots. He uses Yahoo mail.

HTH
 
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