TRIO Virtual Center: Web Resources

Getting Free Web-based Email

There are now a host of Web-based free email services that offer a wide variety of features. Provided below are instructions for registering for a few services that have proved reliable. For more detailed information, reviews, links to a huge number of email providers and a glossary of email terms, consult the Free Email Providers Guide.

General Hints: When applying for anything free on the Internet, be aware that the information you provide is recorded, tracked, and may be given to other organizations. Don't give out more personal information than absolutely necessary. One fairly common occurrence is that you may begin to receive unsolicited email. To prevent this from happening to your primary work or personal account, we recommend that you create an additional account with one of the free email services first, and then use this account when registering for other free Internet services.

Gmail
Gmail from Google is "a new kind of webmail, built on the idea that email can be more intuitive, efficient, and useful. And maybe even fun. After all, Gmail has: Less Spam, Mobile Access, and Lots of Space!" To set up your own account, follow these simple instructions.

Connect to http://www.gmail.com/.
Select "Sign Up for Gmail"
Select a unique username and password.
Remember to record your username and password.
Fill in the rest of the information.
Accept the terms of the agreement by clicking "I Agree. Create My Account"
Your Email will be username@gmail.com.
To check your email, go to http://www.gmail.com/.

MSN Hotmail

MSN Hotmail is a very popular free email provider. Connect to a MSN Hotmail server and access your email from anywhere in the world. This is especially convenient when traveling. All you need is a Web browser (like Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator) and an Internet connection. The user interface is available in eleven different languages and allows you to send and receive attachments and set up email filters. To set up your own account, follow these simple instructions.

Connect to http://www.hotmail.com.
Select a unique username and password.
Remember to record your username and password.
Fill in the rest of the information. (If you leave it blank you will get an error message.)
Accept the terms of the agreement by clicking "I Agree."
Click on the link to the free account option. Uncheck all of the special offers and listing options for maximum privacy and click "Continue."
Your Email will be username@hotmail.com or username@msn.com.
To check your email, go to http://www.hotmail.com .

Yahoo! Mail

A popular and reliable provider with powerful features like instant messaging and relatively unobtrusive advertising.

Connect to http://mail.yahoo.com. Click on "Sign Up Now."
Select "Sign Up for Yahoo! Mail."
Select a unique username and password.
Remember to record your username and password.
Fill in the rest of the information and click "Submit This Form."
If your username is already chosen, or there are any other problems, you will be given a chance to correct them.
As soon as your application is complete, you will be automatically logged in.
Your email address will be: username@yahoo.com.
To check your email, go to http://mail.yahoo.com/.

Excite Mail

Another reliable service that offers several powerful features.

Go to http://www.excite.com. Click on the "Join now" link.
Enter in your user information.
Select a unique username and password.
Remember to record your username and password.
Uncheck all of the special offers and listing options for maximum privacy and click the "Click Here" button to submit the registration form.
You will automatically be logged in to excite.com. Click on the "Email" link. Click "Accept and Continue" to accept the terms. Your email address will be: username@excite.com.
To check your email, go to http://www.excite.com. Click on the "Email" link and sign in.

Other Free Email Services

Free Email Providers Guide
http://fepg.net/
For a listing of free email services complete with a good introduction to the different types of free email services. Outlines the features of, and provides links to, a huge number of providers. They also provide a glossary of email terms.