Tip #3675 - Is Webmail Worth It? Printer Friendly Version | E-Mail This Tip
Q:
I've been using Outlook Express for quite awhile now, but lately, I've
been thinking about switching to a Web based e-mail program. Is it really
worth it? Is Webmail better? Please tell me all you know!
A:
Great question! I'm sure that over the years, there have been several
of you who have wondered this very same thing. It's always a guessing
game when you're thinking about switching to another service and it's
definitely no different for e-mail clients. When comparing Web based e-mail
and desktop e-mail, there's obviously a lot of pros and cons, but the
ultimate decision is yours. So, I'll just go over some of those advantages
and disadvantages and you can decide from there!
First off, I want
to make sure everyone understands what I'm talking about when I say Web
based e-mail (also known as Webmail) and desktop e-mail. Basically, a
desktop e-mail program is one that you can use right from your computer.
They usually come pre-installed on every single computer that is sold
and you just have to activate your account to start using it. A couple
examples of desktop e-mail clients are Outlook Express and Thunderbird.
On the other hand,
Web based e-mail programs are the ones like Yahoo!, Hotmail, Gmail, etc.
With them, you handle all of your e-mail right from your Web browser.
You choose one that you'd like to use, you sign up for it and then when
you want to check your e-mail, you just go to their Web site, sign in
and all of your e-mail will come up.
Now, another question
that comes along with Webmail is its security. Webmail is just as secure
as desktop mail. They also include everything that you'd expect to get
from a desktop e-mail client, like an address book, customized folders,
spell check and spam filtering. Okay, now that all of that is out of the
way, let's take a look at those pros and cons, shall we?!
Pros of Webmail
- There's no software
included with Webmail. You don't have to install anything or keep up
with it throughout your e-mail use. Like I said before, everything runs
right through your Web browser, so you're also eliminating certain types
of spyware and viruses.
- Webmail saves you
some space on your hard drive. All your e-mail folders are stored online
through your browser, so you don't have to worry about getting too many
e-mails that will eat up all your extra space.
- You don't have
to worry about backing up any of your e-mails. All of your e-mails are
kept on a remote server, so they're always available when you need them.
- Webmail is completely
independent from ISPs. Therefore, Webmail can free you from certain
ISPs. If you've been wanting to change your ISP for awhile, but you
don't want to lose your e-mail address and go through the hassle of
changing it, you can start to use a Web based e-mail program. So, whenever
you want to change your ISP, you can do so without having to change
your e-mail address as well.
- You can access
your Webmail account from any computer. As long as the computer has
an Internet connection, you can check your e-mail anywhere in the world.
You don't have to be on your home computer to see if you have any new
messages. With a Webmail account, you can check it at the library, at
a friend's house, at a coffee shop, at work and so on.
Cons of Webmail
- You do have to
be online to use a Webmail program. This could cause some problems if
you have a slower Internet connection, because you have to stay online
until you're completely done viewing, replying to, etc. your e-mails.
With desktop e-mail, you can download your e-mails and then look at
them offline if you need to.
- With Webmail, you
won't be able to find extra features, such as stationery, templates,
a dictionary, thesaurus, etc. You can't do much text formatting either.
- Webmail is free,
but you basically get what you pay for when it comes to e-mail storage
space and availability. Also, if your Webmail client goes out of business,
you're pretty much out of luck.
There's the quick
rundown for you. Now, if you think the pros outweigh the cons and you
still want to switch to a Web based e-mail client, you can easily do so
at any time. Three of the most popular Webmail programs are Yahoo!, Hotmail
and Gmail. Each of these have a decent amount of storage space and they're
all 100 percent free. If you visit any of their Web sites, you'll see
a place where you can sign up to start receiving your e-mail there. It's
very easy to get started.
So, I'm not sure which
way you're all leaning on this topic, but hopefully, you now have enough
information that will help you make your final decision. Many people use
Webmail each and every day and they love it. Maybe it's time you give
it a try too!
~ Erin
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