http://www.osnews.com/story/17864/Microsoft_Upgrades_Hotmail Exploring the Future of Computing en-us Copyright 2001-2009, David Adams adam+nospam@osnews.com Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:01:46 GMT http://www.osnews.com/images/osnews.gif http://www.osnews.com http://osnews.com/thread?238012 http://osnews.com/thread?238012 Its a good thing they did, Hotmail has been lacking some of the features currently offered by other services (Gmail pops in my mind).

I've moved from Hotmail a long time ago, mainly because of the restrictive inbox capacity, clutered user interface, lack of proper POP3 support and... its slowliness.

I think a big number of its currently large userbase is due mostly to MSN Messenger, you would be amazed on how many people think you actually need a Hotmail account to be able to use Microsoft's Messenger.

Glad to see things improving for Hotmail users though.

PS: Anyone know a good reliable (free) service offering free IMAP support? That would be superb.Edited 2007-05-07 17:55 Mon, 07 May 2007 17:54:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Governa) Comments http://osnews.com/thread?238019 http://osnews.com/thread?238019 [quote]PS: Anyone know a good reliable (free) service offering free IMAP support? That would be superb.[/quote]

yes, my isp does... Mon, 07 May 2007 18:08:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (PipoDeClown) Comments http://osnews.com/thread?238021 http://osnews.com/thread?238021 The login process is still slow and hops through far too many different URLs and servers for its own good. The main URL is still insane once logged in. There's no tagging, lacklustre rules filtering, and no free pop support. Who are Microsoft competing with? 2003? Mon, 07 May 2007 18:09:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Kroc) Comments http://osnews.com/thread?238024 http://osnews.com/thread?238024 The user interface is still cluttered. The spam filter is absolutely horrible. Very little has changed really. There is no reason whatsoever to stick with hotmail. Mon, 07 May 2007 18:18:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (zaphod) Comments http://osnews.com/thread?238025 http://osnews.com/thread?238025 +ve
1. Its integration with Windows live mail desktop edition. This just makes it so much more convenient to handle hotmail as compare to other web-based mails.
2. Rich web-interface like drag/drop and right-click.
3. Preview Pane.
4. The ability to create folders.

-ve
1. Web interface slow compared to GMail.
2. Web interface has bad colors compared to crisp GMail colors.Edited 2007-05-07 18:21 Mon, 07 May 2007 18:19:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (CrazyDude0) Comments http://osnews.com/thread?238031 http://osnews.com/thread?238031 I noted your comment on MS still not having free POP support. This is a biggie for people I work with. I figured I double check and see if the POP issue was still at large.

I went over to Hotmail.com using Firefox. I didn't see any details on the service so I figured I'd do a search. From the search bar on the site I entered "POP Support." The search results ended up being covered by the hotmail sign up/sign in page.

I figured it was a browser issue (so much for supporting non-MS browsers) so I loaded hotmail.com into IE 7 and did the same thing and got the same results. My search results literally behind the sign in page. I can even scroll up and down on the portion I can see by selecting some text and dragging up/down.

I dont' know. Maybe all my browsers are psycho. I even tried it on a Mac using Safari. Same problem.

Oh well. Maybe next time Microsoft. I don't think I need to waste anymore time on thier webmail at the moment. Mon, 07 May 2007 18:41:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (vimh) Comments http://osnews.com/thread?238035 http://osnews.com/thread?238035 As for all the ado about POP support, I haven't used POP email since I switched to Gmail... Mon, 07 May 2007 18:50:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Almafeta) Comments http://osnews.com/thread?238037 http://osnews.com/thread?238037 I prefer gmail, but right clicking on hotmail rocks. Mon, 07 May 2007 18:53:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (PotajiTo) Comments http://osnews.com/thread?238038 http://osnews.com/thread?238038 You should. I use it for backing up on a weekly basis. I still use the web UI for ALL gmailing, but I use both Mail.app at home and Thunderbird at work to keep backup copies of my entire Gmail-box. Mon, 07 May 2007 18:54:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Adam S) Comments http://osnews.com/thread?238046 http://osnews.com/thread?238046 I use Gmail, but atleast Hotmail is now available in my Lang. I even volunteered and translated gmail, but they would not release it. I might switch now... Mon, 07 May 2007 19:15:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (dindin) Comments http://osnews.com/thread?238047 http://osnews.com/thread?238047 You're telling me. I used to translate for Google through its volunteer programs, but then, they had a nasty habit of declaring a translation 'done' when half or more of it was still untranslated from English... Mon, 07 May 2007 19:18:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Almafeta) Comments http://osnews.com/thread?238049 http://osnews.com/thread?238049 I am a "day-one" Hotmail-user. I get TRASHED with spam - does the filter ever learn?

What is the real propblem with Hotmail is this: Since it is notoriously being used for fake and spam accounts, it is even being rejected in many places to start with !

For example, I checked Starsecur's page the other day for updates on my full disc encryption and you can't even register to buy software with them using a Hotmail account! Already quite a few years ago, you couldn't register with the Hardocp forums for the same reason and I keep seeing Hotmail users being rejected for, well, being Hotmail users. What a shite. How can anyone do serious emailing with it? If I receive a Hotmail-mail, first thing is I suspect a scam. I keep my account though to collect my Dictionary.com vocabulary-of-the-day-emails After 3 years of collecting, the account is at 3% so it should be ok for the remaining 30 years I am left with. How cool is that, I will reach my "limit" together with my Hotmail account. Mon, 07 May 2007 19:20:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Googol) Comments http://osnews.com/thread?238051 http://osnews.com/thread?238051 I tried the Live beta and gave up after one session. The login took too long, it never remembered my password (still doesn't) and the interface was just hideous and unusable. I reverted to the original hotmail and now usr Gmail instead. I've no real use for Hotmail anymore.

Someone above asked who Hotmail is competing against - 2003? I'd say, more like 1999. Mon, 07 May 2007 19:21:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (stodge) Comments http://osnews.com/thread?238053 http://osnews.com/thread?238053 I second that. Mon, 07 May 2007 19:23:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (dylansmrjones) Comments http://osnews.com/thread?238054 http://osnews.com/thread?238054 Check out the screenshot on TFA...

- "I want a penguin..."
- "But who doesn't?"

LMAO. Now we finally know for sure what everybody suspected all along: They wish they had a penguin. Mon, 07 May 2007 19:25:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (n0xx) Comments http://osnews.com/thread?238058 http://osnews.com/thread?238058 ... there is a message similar to this one I just received today:

Hey There: My name is Sara i came accross your email address in your online profile
thought i would drop you a line i am new to all this..i tried meeting people in person at the
bars and such but i can never find any decent people.
I am 25/F/USA 5ft 10/brown hair and blue eyes
Email me back if you wanna chat

This type of email always gets pushed to 'spam' in gmail. Why can't Hotmail get it right?! I thought that most types of spam have been 'solved'! (especially this type). Mon, 07 May 2007 19:35:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (openwookie) Comments http://osnews.com/thread?238067 http://osnews.com/thread?238067 It has POP support, I use it everyday. I use Outlook for POP, but it only work with one account. I have 2 (two) Hotmail account and only can use one or the other, not both. Mon, 07 May 2007 19:57:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Accident) Comments http://osnews.com/thread?238086 http://osnews.com/thread?238086 Have you tried Yahoo Beta. I have a yahoo and gmail account but prefer Yahoo. Right click, click and drag, etc. Just like using a real application and the UI is maybe better than your typical Windows / Mac OS. Okay maybe not better but some touches are nicer. Mon, 07 May 2007 21:11:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (andrewg) Comments http://osnews.com/thread?238091 http://osnews.com/thread?238091 clicking clicking... try this:

http://lifehacker.com/software/gmail/lifehacker-code-better-gmail-f...

it's really worth a try Mon, 07 May 2007 21:24:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (l3v1) Comments http://osnews.com/thread?238093 http://osnews.com/thread?238093 Boycott Microsoft products/services ! Gmail and Yahoo both have better services. Mon, 07 May 2007 21:28:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (shiva) Comments http://osnews.com/thread?238227 http://osnews.com/thread?238227 I hate to say this, but AOL offers free email accounts with excellent IMAP support. You can get @aol.com or @aim.com if you want, but AOL also allows you to register your own domain for free. So basically, you get a yourname@yourdomain.com, 2GB, decent webmail, and free IMAP. Tue, 08 May 2007 03:38:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Rogee) Comments http://osnews.com/thread?238252 http://osnews.com/thread?238252 Unfortunately, i can't use Yahoo's new stuff with Konqueror unless I change my Browser ID, which sucks.

I only use yahoo once in a while though, so the old interface is good enough. Tue, 08 May 2007 05:43:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (aesiamun) Comments http://osnews.com/thread?238618 http://osnews.com/thread?238618 """
After 3 years of collecting, the account is at 3% so it should be ok for the remaining 30 years I am left with. How cool is that, I will reach my "limit" together with my Hotmail account.
"""

Who says you can't take it with you? So long, and thanks for all the spam! ;-) Wed, 09 May 2007 02:15:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (sbergman27) Comments