Web-based e-mail question

abibee

This may be an utter newb question, but I don't care. I've always used web-based e-mail services, as I've never seen the point in using something like Thunderbird to read e-mails off my computer. Is there a benefit to doing the latter?
I don't need to read anything offline, and just about everyone is permanently connected anyway.

Uxb

So what happens when/if:
1. your email provider looses the data in some disaster (Plusnet did in around 2006) and all your emails are lost forever.
2. Your account is hacked and the hacker deletes the lot and changes your password.
3. You loose your login details and have not set up or mistake the memorable words to re-activate account and then your access is lost for evermore (seen scenarios of this with Gmail and Hotmail on here)
4. Your amount of stored emails exceeds the limits on your mailbox size and you then cannot receive anymore until you have deleted some.

That is why careful people with important emails to safeguard against loss download their emails using a client program like Thunderbird or MSoutlook 200? and then backup the storage file to external disc.

kwikbreaks

Uxb wrote: »

That is why careful people with important emails to safeguard against loss download their emails using a client program like Thunderbird or MSoutlook 200? and then backup the storage file to external disc.

...
True. As all I have is a load of spam, newletters, and paypal receipts etc. I don't bother and take my chances.

tavernman

Uxb wrote: »

So what happens when/if:
1. your email provider looses the data in some disaster (Plusnet did in around 2006) and all your emails are lost forever.
2. Your account is hacked and the hacker deletes the lot and changes your password.
3. You loose your login details and have not set up or mistake the memorable words to re-activate account and then your access is lost for evermore (seen scenarios of this with Gmail and Hotmail on here)
4. Your amount of stored emails exceeds the limits on your mailbox size and you then cannot receive anymore until you have deleted some.

That is why careful people with important emails to safeguard against loss download their emails using a client program like Thunderbird or MSoutlook 200? and then backup the storage file to external disc.

2.a And deletes your contacts (having sold them to every Viagra/!!!!!!/Weirdo spammer in the world) and then send them viruses and !!!!!! using some other hacked/compromised/unlucky fool's account pretending to be you.

esuhl

I can start Thunderbird and see a dozen different email accounts with various providers in one place. I don't need to log in every time I visit the site, or store loads of tracking cookies in my browser. I don't see adverts, and it's generally quicker and easier.

A long time ago, I had email addresses with the same provider, who had a really minimalist web interface. Back then, I generally found it easier to use webmail.

cookie365

If you have more than one email address an app like Thunderbird lets you see all your accounts in one go.

Dedicated email clients are usually quicker as you don't need to wait for a web page to redraw.

And if you have the email app open but minimised you get a notification when a message arrives.

Plus loads of others.

kwikbreaks

cookie365 wrote: »

If you have more than one email address an app like Thunderbird lets you see all your accounts in one go.

You can do that with Gmail too so long as you can control the email forwarding.

There are scores of reasons for using Thunderbird and the like but if you have multiple machines and access your email from many different locations it can be a lot easier, if less secure, to simply forward everything to gmail. I sold my soul to google many years ago and they already have my DNA profile on file.

Fightsback

Thunderbird also has additional spam and scam filters, I personally loathe webmail and always use an email client with Thunderbird being one of the best.

Mr_Toad

Uxb wrote: »

So what happens when/if:
1. your email provider looses the data in some disaster (Plusnet did in around 2006) and all your emails are lost forever.
2. Your account is hacked and the hacker deletes the lot and changes your password.
3. You loose your login details and have not set up or mistake the memorable words to re-activate account and then your access is lost for evermore (seen scenarios of this with Gmail and Hotmail on here)
4. Your amount of stored emails exceeds the limits on your mailbox size and you then cannot receive anymore until you have deleted some.

That is why careful people with important emails to safeguard against loss download their emails using a client program like Thunderbird or MSoutlook 200? and then backup the storage file to external disc.

Or you could just backup all your Gmail data, mail, contacts, calendar, photos, profile etc. and download it onto your PC.

Go to Settings > Accounts & Import > Other Account Settings > Download data and select what you want from there.

When the backup is complete Gmail will email you a link where you can download the zip file it has created.

Cycrow

Uxb wrote: »

So what happens when/if:
1. your email provider looses the data in some disaster (Plusnet did in around 2006) and all your emails are lost forever.
2. Your account is hacked and the hacker deletes the lot and changes your password.
3. You loose your login details and have not set up or mistake the memorable words to re-activate account and then your access is lost for evermore (seen scenarios of this with Gmail and Hotmail on here)
4. Your amount of stored emails exceeds the limits on your mailbox size and you then cannot receive anymore until you have deleted some.

That is why careful people with important emails to safeguard against loss download their emails using a client program like Thunderbird or MSoutlook 200? and then backup the storage file to external disc.

These points are only valid if you are using POP3. if you are using imap instead, the the mail remains on the server

InsideInsurance

To me the two main benefits have always been its quicker and you can view multiple accounts at once. The search facilities are also much better on my computer but my webmail software is fairly basic and no way equal to GMail etc.

As websites get more powerful the gap between the two are closing though and as I use IMAP protocols for my email I can view all of my accounts together on my home computer/ mobile etc but can also view each of the accounts individually using webmail if I am out and about and dont fancy typing out a long email using the phones keyboard.