Email, email, more email

Love it or hate it, email seems to be here to stay.

How do you get your email?

Last week’s column mentioned the coming demise of Outlook 2007. I asked readers last week how they get their email, and got some interesting responses. Here’s what you had to say.

Windows Live Mail was a frequent response. Windows Live Mail is no longer supported and is no longer available from Microsoft for download.

If you have it and you like it, that’s great. But eventually it will quit working and you won’t be able to download a fresh copy. Most of you who told me you have Windows Live Mail added that you are also still using Windows 7 and that you don’t like new things.

A few of you are using Mozilla Thunderbird, which is what I use for my [email protected] email. I’ve been using it for years and I’m just used to it. It’s customizable, so you can make it look a lot like good old Outlook Express or Windows Live Mail.

It can be tricky to set up, but once you work through all that, Thunderbird is a straightforward email program. You’ll find it here.

You’re also using various versions of Outlook, including Outlook 2007.

Many of you wrote that you use a web-based email service including Gmail, Outlook.com/Hotmail, Telus Webmail and Shaw Webmail.

Webmail is slowly but surely gaining popularity at the expense of desktop email clients. Web-based email is accessible from any device in any location with a working internet connection.

Desktop email clients that actually work

If you require a desktop client, or if you are simply more comfortable with one, it’s nice to have one that works.

Besides the ones mentioned already, there are a few standouts, both paid and free.

Mailbird aims to be the program that includes email, social media, calendars, contacts, and just about everything but the kitchen sink. There are free and paid versions. Check out Mailbird here.

eM Client is another popular email program which also includes calendars, tasks, and chat. You can use it to grab your ISP email (shaw.ca, telus.net, etc.) as well as Gmail, Outlook, iCloud, and if you use Exchange email, it will handle that, too. Take a look here. Again, there are free and paid versions.

Just one more thing

If you have Windows 10, there is a built-in email client called Mail. It lacks important features that power email users have, but if your needs are basic, this app may work for you. It will also collect your Outlook.com/Hotmail and Gmail if you like.

If you use Gmail and miss having an email client, an alternative to the built-in Mail app in Windows 10 is Kiwi, which I wrote about here. Again, there is a free version and a paid version with more features and capabilities.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to write. I’m always interested in what people are doing with their email and if whatever you’re doing works for you.

Feel free to comment. Email me at [email protected].

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.