AF email service

We're looking into offer AF members an email service.

Would you guys be interested in having solely webmail, pop, and/or IMAP?


POP or IMAP: Which Should I Use?

Both give you the flexibility of using any of the popular email programs such as Outlook, Entourage, Netscape and many others. IMAP is a newer, more advanced protocol and has some major advantages over POP, for many types of users. You can choose which is right for you.


With IMAP...

Messages and Folders Stay Synched

Access all of your messages and folders no matter where you are or what computer or browser you are using. No more having to manually sync up your laptop before you go on the road.

Messages Stay Safe

Computer crashed? Since IMAP keeps track of your messages on our servers, the next time you log in all your messages will be re-synched automatically.

Lightning Fast Over Slow Connections

Don't wait for messages to show up one by one. IMAP is optimized to display a list of your messages right away.

Space Saver

Retrieve a message only when want to read it. IMAP is great for cell phones, PDAs and other devices where storage is a premium.

Work With Your Messages Off-Line

Like POP, IMAP lets you work with your downloaded messages off-line and will send any new messages as soon as you reconnect. Unlike POP, IMAP will also re-sync any of the changes you made to a message while off-line, including creating and moving messages.


When to choose IMAP...


You check your email with different computers or devices
IMAP lets you keep all of your messages, file attachments and folders in sync, and remembers the condition that you last left them in (read, replied, forwarded, and so on).

You use Web Mail in addition to an email program such as Outlook
IMAP lets you keep all of your messages, file attachments and folders synchronized between Web Mail and your email program.

You use SpamShield Pro
IMAP works with SpamShield Pro so you can filter out junk email before you download the entire message.

You want the peace of mind of having your email backed up
IMAP messages, file attachments and folders archived online are automatically backed up.

You use a slow connection to the Internet
IMAP lets you selectively download messages and file attachments.

You use a computer or device with limited storage space
IMAP lets you store messages and file attachments online and lets you selectively download only the ones that you need.

You use POP and leave messages on the server
IMAP is designed for this scenario; thus, you avoid the pitfalls of leaving messages on the server with POP.



When to choose POP...


You check your email exclusively with one computer

You perform your own email backups

You must use an email program that does not work with IMAP

You used POP before and are satisfied with its limitations

Not to sound too computer illiterate, but what are the differences? I know my ISP has webmail, and am use to that. I originally started w/ AOL a few years back but don't know what theirs is classified as. I've heard of pop (I've also seen it written as POP3 ,is that the same? And I think I've heard of IMAP but am not familiar with it.

I also have a Yahoo email address. What email system do they use?

I believe that Yahoo is webmail only.

With POP/IMAP, you can also use an email client such as Mozilla Thunderbird or MS Outlook Express.

I'd prefer to be able to use POP/Outlook, and an AF email would kick much ass.

Okay I get it now. My computer is running REAL slow tonight. Only 28.8kbps (usually 31.2) When I first read the first message by igor, I was only able to view the first two sentences- hence my post questioning the differences. Now when I went back to see if anybody responded, I am able to view the whole post. I don't know if it's this site tonight or my computer, but everything is super slow. When I posted a response in another forum it took nearly a minute for it to appear when usually it takes a few seconds. Thanks for the info though.

Okay I get it now. My computer is running REAL slow tonight. Only 28.8kbps (usually 31.2)

HA! mine is slower. 11kbps on average everyday. I'd like an IMAP e-mail service....but where is your source of revenue? Advertisers? you must have at least dumped thousands on AF, now you want to offer us a service? Are you going to charge us for it? Because it sounds almost too good to be true

We are currently considering bundling the email service along with a "no-ads" AF membership, which will cost a small amount per month (subscription).

I like Yahoo!'s service, which i'm assuming is "webmail" so i selected webmail on the poll.

I also assume that this email service will likely not be free (or at least at first). How much will you be charging for it? Because I am seriously interested in an @automotiveforums.com email address.

i also wanna know how much? it would be sweet though. I look forward to it.

IMAP sounds like the way to go, but I would be interested in any service provided by AF.

Here is the package that we're working on right now:

Introductory Special Products:

2 x 12" AF decal
2 x AF license plate frame
1 x AF bottle-opener key chain

Services:
- No ads on AF
- Larger avatar - 125x125 pixels (regular members are 100x100)
- Special color stars under user title
- @ AF email account (a few different domains to choose from possibly)
- Ability to create your own blog (journal / website)


As far as the cost, we just don't know yet as many things on the list above are in the 'research status' as of now, with some costs of operation unknown to us.

While we're at it though, I would love to hear what you guys think would be an appropriate monthly subscription price.

The introductory package sounds badass.

As for the monthly subscription, I'd pay somewhere between $9.99-$15.99. Twenty bucks a month is a bit steep, but I may consider paying that.

As for the journal idea, if it cuts costs, I wouldn't really find much use for it. There are lots of blog/journal websites already out there, and I think an AF would not find much use.

Those are just my opinions

Don't give a shit what protocol it uses - the @automotiveforums.com need a fucking good spam filter before it goes public! Yeesh. 100+ messages per day

Don't give a shit what protocol it uses - the @automotiveforums.com need a fucking good spam filter before it goes public! Yeesh. 100+ messages per day

Shouldn't have made it available publicly on the web :grinno:

Don't give a shit what protocol it uses - the @automotiveforums.com need a fucking good spam filter before it goes public! Yeesh. 100+ messages per day

I get no spam with mine :loser:

:p

yea Spam is everywhere no matter what. Im really careful now on where i put my info at.

<<<<< Always broke, looks like i dont get AF mai :sad:

HA! mine is slower. 11kbps on average everyday.
Oh yeah? LOL When I was with AOL a couple of years back, it would constantly sign on at 7000bps. That was slow. Now with my new ISP I usually sign on at 31.2 kbps and to me that seems "accelerated". We don't have cable out here, (rural area, houses too far apart to be feasible for cable co.) so no Roadrunner. I can't get DSL because I'm one of the farthest houses from my phone co. switching station, and my only other option is satelite. But from what I read and heard, it is expensive and generally not worth it. Boy, it sucks not being able to download music, and it took an hour to download the newest version of AVG at 10GB.

yea Spam is everywhere no matter what. Im really careful now on where i put my info at.
That's why it is a good idea to have at least 2 email addresses. I use my Isp's for personal stuff and give it to close friends and associates, and I set up a free yahoo email account that I use when I'm on the internet and have to give an email address. It really has made a difference as I practically get no junk emails at my ISP's address, but my Yahoo is up to over 360 since Jan.1, ( I'm not deleting any to see how far it will go before something happens.LOL Good thing Yahoo puts spam in a separate folder.) There are a lot of free email sites out there to utilize, so it doesn't have to cost you anything extra.

I can't get DSL because I'm one of the farthest houses from my phone co. switching station, and my only other option is satelite. But from what I read and heard, it is expensive and generally not worth it.

Satelite is expensive and you must use the telephone line to upload.

I have DSL, but it is expensive here. I don't know if I'll get AF email service, at least not yet. My Internet bill is already too high... :rolleyes:

One doubt: what happens if someone who has an AF mail is banned?

The intro package sounds good. but 10 bucks a month is more then most people pay for internet, I would love the no adds and intro package but 120$ a year is alot. So pricing is someting to look at but the idea is great.

The intro package sounds good. but 10 bucks a month is more then most people pay for internet, I would love the no adds and intro package but 120$ a year is alot. So pricing is someting to look at but the idea is great.

How about this:

$9.95 / month
OR
$49.95 / 6 months
OR
$89.95 / year

How about this:

$9.95 / month
OR
$49.95 / 6 months
OR
$89.95 / year

I like those prices they are quite reasonable. But I have one more question, say someone started by paying for one month to test it and then upgraded to the 6 months or year, would the months that they payed for individualy transfer over as credit (as in they paid montly for a month then bought a yearly subscription) or would it be on top of that?

Shouldn't have made it available publicly on the web :grinno:
:( :werd:

Took it off ages ago, but once you're on their lists...

is it possible to have a setup that we could read at work? So far every mail client i have seen is blocked at work. If you could find a way for us unlucky members to get personal mail i would gladly pay... Once i get a paypal accoun of course.

Webmail and IMAP only - I don't like configuring Outlook user profiles.

Webmail and IMAP only - I don't like configuring Outlook user profiles.


In order to utilize IMAP you would have to configure a program such as Outlook...... it's very similar to POP but it keeps the copies of the emails on the server and also allows selective download of emails.

does this mean sooner or later every is gona have to pay for a/f? i would pay but no credit card, but for some members that are kids that dont have jobs it would suck, well keep us posted
1

To tell you the truth, I could care less about the other stuff. Would it be possible to just get the AF email for a [MUCH] cheaper price than that bundle?

Satelite is expensive and you must use the telephone line to upload

Wrong. There are up/downstream satellite internet systems that are almost as fast as cable and/or dsl. The service runs about $70/month.

Are there any upgrades planned with the money raised from this, or where is the money going to end up?

is it possible to have a setup that we could read at work? So far every mail client i have seen is blocked at work. If you could find a way for us unlucky members to get personal mail i would gladly pay... Once i get a paypal accoun of course.

AF webmail should function fine at your work unless they have banned automotiveforums.com.

does this mean sooner or later every is gona have to pay for a/f? i would pay but no credit card, but for some members that are kids that dont have jobs it would suck, well keep us posted
1

Not at all.

To tell you the truth, I could care less about the other stuff. Would it be possible to just get the AF email for a [MUCH] cheaper price than that bundle?

We will look into this.

Are there any upgrades planned with the money raised from this, or where is the money going to end up?

Thought you wouldn't ask!
The money is planned to be used for the following:
Servers and hardware (we currently have 3, but will be needing more soon as the site is growing), software licenses, programmers for new features on AF, more writers on AutomotiveArticles.com, organization of AF meets, and much more.

I would love to help support AF through a 'small' donation and advertisment via a clear decal (with white grey or black lettering) inside my rear window. In terms of the membership benifits this is what I would use and what I think would be the most desirable and practical for the masses.

decal Essential
license plate frame Maybe an extra few bucks for this one
Larger avatar Would be lovely
Special color stars under user title Maybe a few different colored stars or other counters to choose from
AF email account I'd even give up yahoo and earthlink to have Thourun@AF.com

Personaly I don't mind advertising at all (although some of the add experiments here have been a bit much) and I believe it is much easier to run a site off of a few ads than a yearly subscription/donation.

Edit: I love AutomotiveArticles.com and would like to see more writen there! Organization of AF meets would be great since the regional section isn't used much despite how great it could be... Ohh well I'll keep checking in there every day even though no one loves it except me. :rolleyes:

I would love to help support AF through a 'small' donation and advertisment via a clear decal (with white grey or black lettering) inside my rear window. In terms of the membership benifits this is what I would use and what I think would be the most desirable and practical for the masses.

decal Essential
license plate frame Maybe an extra few bucks for this one
Larger avatar Would be lovely
Special color stars under user title Maybe a few different colored stars or other counters to choose from
AF email account I'd even give up yahoo and earthlink to have Thourun@AF.com

Personaly I don't mind advertising at all (although some of the add experiments here have been a bit much) and I believe it is much easier to run a site off of a few ads than a yearly subscription/donation.

Edit: I love AutomotiveArticles.com and would like to see more writen there! Organization of AF meets would be great since the regional section isn't used much despite how great it could be... Ohh well I'll keep checking in there every day even though no one loves it except me. :rolleyes:

I agree with most of what he said. Like I said, I would definitely pay for an @automotiveforums.com email address, and would happily advertise with an AF decal on my car. I'd also separately buy an AF license plate frame. The other stuff is also very desirable, but they jack up the price of the package far too much. I really don't mind the banners and advertisements at all, so I'm not too inclined to pay just to take them off. And I could care less about the special colored stars and whatnot; with or without them, i'm still a proud member of AF. Maybe i'll get them eventually, who knows.

Maybe alongside the package deals, you can sell the stuff separately also? Or maybe we could create our own packages, with checkboxes to choose what you do and don't want, then tally the price after.

I almost forgot that I have an AF email......... AF email never forgot about me though, it greeted me with the love of 2500 new messages :p

Well, being an old member, I'm proud of my stars and besides...is it that big of deal to AFer's. Apparently not. I don't really mind the banners, they don't seem to be that big of deal. The package is sweet and I've been waiting a long time for @automotiveforums.com or @AF.com. Everything about the package is peacfe, I represent AF as much as I can as it is and AutomotiveArticles has gotten me hooked to the internet more so writers would be sweet but on...I'll PM...

Prices overall are good, at leats those 3 you listed but...oh, is choosing a combination as opposed to just webmail, will that cost more? I'll pay something for the @AF.com and if I have to give up the package I'm peace so it'll be cheaper but I WANT AN AF EMAIL ACCOUNT!!! Why not an AF store???

Also, if we have webmail, what's the storage space we're paying for? On hotmail, I was really startin' to get pissed off due to the amount of space, 2MB but then it upgraded and i was happy 'cause I could delete my new yahoo account 'cause Hotmail finally had 250MB. I guess IMAP would cover that, but all I can access is webmail...unless I switch to Mozilkla which I might but there's my :2cents: