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Episode 19: Email Client Configuration (and some resulting Headaches)
Episode Air Date: June 26, 2009
Episode Summary
On the air today we covered a listener question about email configuration, setup and errors. In our web segment, we're talking about the basics of configuring your email client, so you can send and receive email without errors. No headaches, no problems!
The Basics: Web Mail vs. Local Email Client
The question many people ask these days is "Why should I use a local email client, when I have web-based email?" There is no easy answer for this, because both scenarios have their own sets of pro's and con's.
Want to get FREE web-based email? Check the links below—you'll have a new email account in less than 15 minutes.
Why use Web Mail?
If you're checking your email from multiple computers, web mail is king. Simply put, web mail offers a centralized email solution—as long as you can get to a computer, have internet access and remember your username and password, you can check your web mail from anywhere.
The negatives? If you don't have an internet connection, you can't get to your mail—old or new. Web mail can be slow and the interface "clunky", depending on the service that you use. Lastly, since your mail is on someone else's server, you are dependent on that person/company to make sure there is no loss of data (the risk for this is low, but it is something to be aware of).
Most Internet service providers offer a web mail platform for checking your mail. Almost all email service providers use web mail as their standard platform.
Some of these are free, some cost a bit of coin, but here's our list of Top Email Clients
- Microsoft Office Outlook
For business professionals, this is THE industry standard and possibly THE most powerful email client. Requires purchase of Microsoft Office.
- Microsoft Outlook Express
Free lightweight version of MS Outlook that ships with older versions of Windows
- Windows Mail
The new lightweight mail client from Microsoft that ships standard with Windows Vista
- Thunderbird
The most powerful, lightweight and FREE local mail client, offered up by Mozilla (works on ALL platforms: PC, Mac, Linux)
TechDish Hot Tip
Drowning in Email?
Get Xobni, the Outlook plugin that finds people & email in your inbox. Learn More.
Why use a Local Email Client?
Laptop and home users, listen up! A local email client, when properly configured, is an extremely powerful tool. Since your mail is all stored on your computer's hard drive, you can browse your email without an internet connection. Dial-up users: the only time you need to connect is when you want to send and receive email.
Local mail clients allow for the highest level of mail management: drag and drop email into different folders, quickly add contacts, set up filters and use enhanced spam filtering software. There is no waiting for pages to load/reload—which, for us power users, saves a significant amount of time!
How do I Configure My Mail Client?
Before you can start sending and receiving email, you need to set up your local email client to be able to connect to your mail server. Each mail/internet service provider has slightly different settings, and most provide easy-to-understand tutorials that walk you through the setup process. Usually you can find these on the provider website, under "support" or "help". People living in the immediate locale can find links to tutorials from area ISPs below.
Web Mail users: there is no configuration to get your mail account functioning—it's already been done for you! We'll talk about enhancements and settings for web mail clients in a future episode of TechDish.
Email Client Configuration Tutorials from Area ISPs
Frontier Customers
Visit Frontier Tech Support for information on setting up your email client. Doing a keyword search (eg. Outlook, Thunderbird, etc) will give you results to available tutorials.Knology Customers
Visit the Knology Email Support FAQ for information on setting up your email client.Mediacom Customers
Unfortunately, MC does not like to give out public help documents. So, check your installation cd for help, or try calling their support hotline at (888) 847-6228.CenturyTel Customers
Visit the CenturyTel Knowledgebase for information on setting up your email client.HickoryTech Customers
Visit Customer Service > Email Programs for information on setting up your email client.Southwest Wireless Net Customers
Visit the Support Area for information on setting up your email client.
Did we miss anyone? If your internet service provider isn't listed here, please Contact Us and we'll get it added to the list!
Today's TechDish was an answer to a wonderful question from Maralee at Dyke's Auto Parts in Worthington. If you would like to submit your own question to TechDish, please click the link at the top of the page!