I confess that I was irked to learn that, a few months after I got a computer, if I didn't have Internet access via a local network, national provider, or Free-Net, I couldn't use email. I'd long been an avid postal letter-writer for social and professional purposes. And I was upset that email could be costly, according to my linkup, even unavailable or undependable. As a writer, it wasn't a luxury, it was necessity to have a fairly reliable email address.
Unfortunately, I struggled through a month of frustration due to a problem with a local computer shop Net service -- it was unstable, yet gave me affordable access via a link to a national provider. I had just gotten my mail program up and running, began sending queries to electronic publishers, when the service abruptly ended.
I lost contact temporarily with several important editors, as well as social email friends. Therefore, I realized it was imperative to have two email addresses, an alternate address in case of such unforeseen interruptions.
Once I was on-line again (with a stable local network) I began immediately seeking email alternatives -- and luckily came across Juno -- which is free to the customer if you are in a region where local dialup numbers are accessible; it does not require an Internet connection, only a computer and modem. It is paid for by commercial advertisers, and the ads are displayed on one's mail program. However, there is no obligation to purchase anything, nor do ads appear on the sender's mail messages. The only requirement is to fill out a consumer survey, keep an updated member profile as to changing commercial preferences.
Living in a region that means a long distance phone call to connect to the nearest central computer, I discovered Juno was a viable alternative choice -- and their free software is currently being distributed, becoming widely available, bundled with some new computer packages.
If you have a local ISP, then you might be interested in the free email programs available via the WWW -- but you must use these online, dialing up through an ISP connection to the net. Here are several you can try:
Email has become a definite communication tool, just as the phone and postal service have. Yet, it is faster and more convenient because you control the receive/respond timing. Additionally, there are ways to access Internet services via email. A good source of information on how you can do this is in "Doctor Bob's Guide to Offline Internet Access", freely downloaded from various sites. In it he explains in easy-to-understand language how to " access almost any Internet resource using e-mail, including FTP, Gopher, Archie, Veronica, Finger, Usenet, Whois, Netfind, WAIS, and the World-Wide Web."
The opportunity to expand knowledge, though immensely worthwhile, isn't the only great thing about email: there's all kinds of social email clubs. Some of these are for those seeking romantic partners, but an excellent club for finding and making social friends is the Email Club: emailclub@pobox.com. A nicely organized and monthly email directory is sent to the members, and there's a website HERE
Email will be an integral part of our lives in the future, a powerful communication tool, a window on the world for those of us who love to reach out and share, learn.
