Information about Webmail
Web-based email or webmail is a term referring to an e-mail service intended to be primarily accessed via a web browser, as opposed to through an application such as Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express, Mozilla's Thunderbird or Apple's Mail.
One of the earliest Webmail services was Hotmail. Now, the most popular Webmail providers are arguably Yahoo! Mail, Hotmail and Gmail.[1] Some other webmail services include AIM Mail, Mail.com, Lycos Mail; see also Wikipedia's Comparison of webmail providers.
A major advantage of web-based email over application-based email is that a user has the ability to access their inbox from any Internet-connected computer. However, the need for Internet access is also a setback, in that one cannot access their old messages, or work on new ones, when they are not connected to the Internet.
In 1997, prior to its acquisition by Microsoft, Hotmail introduced its service, which became one of the first popular web-based email offerings. Following Hotmail's initial success, Yahoo! released their webmail service, which also grew to become widely popular.
Google's introduction of Gmail in 2004 sparked a period of rapid development in webmail, due to Gmail's new features such as JavaScript menus, text-based ads, and massive storage.[2] Other webmail providers responded by offering similar features, such as Yahoo!'s introduction of its new version of Yahoo! Mail.
Conversely, there are programs that can simulate a web browser to access webmail as if it were stored in a POP3 or IMAP account. They are susceptible, though, to changes in the user interface of the web service since there is no standard interface.
One of the earliest Webmail services was Hotmail. Now, the most popular Webmail providers are arguably Yahoo! Mail, Hotmail and Gmail.[1] Some other webmail services include AIM Mail, Mail.com, Lycos Mail; see also Wikipedia's Comparison of webmail providers.
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Gmail, a popular webmail service.
A major advantage of web-based email over application-based email is that a user has the ability to access their inbox from any Internet-connected computer. However, the need for Internet access is also a setback, in that one cannot access their old messages, or work on new ones, when they are not connected to the Internet.
In 1997, prior to its acquisition by Microsoft, Hotmail introduced its service, which became one of the first popular web-based email offerings. Following Hotmail's initial success, Yahoo! released their webmail service, which also grew to become widely popular.
Google's introduction of Gmail in 2004 sparked a period of rapid development in webmail, due to Gmail's new features such as JavaScript menus, text-based ads, and massive storage.[2] Other webmail providers responded by offering similar features, such as Yahoo!'s introduction of its new version of Yahoo! Mail.
Software packages
There are also software packages that allow an organization such as company to offer email through the web for their associates. Some solutions are open source software like SquirrelMail and others are closed source like the Outlook Web Access module for Microsoft Exchange, Socketmail and Atmail.Conversely, there are programs that can simulate a web browser to access webmail as if it were stored in a POP3 or IMAP account. They are susceptible, though, to changes in the user interface of the web service since there is no standard interface.