Guardfather's top free software and services picks.
- Windows
- Security
- Essentials
- Coding
- Media Production
- Ubuntu
- Essentials
- Security
- Coding
- Media Production
- Web Services
- E-mail (Webmail)
- Online Storage
- Social Networking
You've probably used webmail. Chances are it's the only type of email you've used at home. Email is a system for sending and receiving messages. An email client is a program which allows a person to easily retrieve, read, write, and send email. When you use a website like Gmail, Yahoo Mail, or Hotmail for your email needs, you're using webmail. Webmail is a web page interface to an email account. Instead of running a program on your computer which is dedicated to email, you use your web browser to access a web page which interacts with a web server to provide the functions of an email client. Some webmail services allow you to use an email client such as Thunderbird or Outlook as well. But that's usually a feature you have to pay for.
Google's Gmail has somewhat unique interface, as it employs ‘threaded conversations’, rather than simply listing each message separately. That can be changed in settings. A virus scanner is employed for attachments, and there are anti-spam measures available. If you have an Android phone, you've got a Gmail account attached to it. A Gmail account also grants access to other Google services, such as Youtube, Picasa, Google Talk, and Google Voice. Unfortunately, Google requires either SMS or telephone call confirmation to activate a new account.
Yahoo Mail is another decent webmail service which also provides access to other Yahoo features. The default interface is a bit too ‘Web 2.0’ heavy, in my opinion. But classic view can be selected as well. A virus scanner is employed for attachments, and there are anti-spam measures available.
