[chabig]

AOL says they have opened up the email system so that third-party clients can access AOL accounts via AOL's IMAP servers.

My wife still uses an AOL email address, though I'm trying to wean her from it. My first step was to set up Mail to access her AOL stuff. When I tried to follow their instructions, I was able to read her mail, but I couldn't Mail to send. I was unable to authenticate with AOL's servers for sending.

According to their instructions, this is how it should be:

server name: smtp.aol.com
port: 587
username: her AOL screenname
password: her AOL password

Has anyone else tried this and been successful?

Chris

[typoon]

Originally posted by chabig:
AOL says they have opened up the email system so that third-party clients can access AOL accounts via AOL's IMAP servers.

My wife still uses an AOL email address, though I'm trying to wean her from it. My first step was to set up Mail to access her AOL stuff. When I tried to follow their instructions, I was able to read her mail, but I couldn't Mail to send. I was unable to authenticate with AOL's servers for sending.

According to their instructions, this is how it should be:

server name: smtp.aol.com
port: 587
username: her AOL screenname
password: her AOL password

Has anyone else tried this and been successful?

Chris

If you currently use another Provider to connect to the internet you WILL need to use there outgoing mail servers. You can only use AOL's if you are connected through there service.

[chabig]

I've seen that before, but never understood it. Do you mean that Comcast blocks traffic to other smtp servers?

Chris

[mishap]

Originally posted by chabig:
I've seen that before, but never understood it. Do you mean that Comcast blocks traffic to other smtp servers?

Chris

more likely aol doesnt allow access to their SMTP unless you are connected to the AOL network.

[chabig]

More info, but not definitive. A quick search around the web indicates that Comcast blocks access to outside smtp servers. So I'll just try theirs and let you know how it goes. AOL is not blocking anything. The ability to use your own mail client is a new feature of theirs.

Chris

[typoon]

The reason other ISP's such as AOL or Verizon or others block outgoing mail if you are not connected to them is to prevent spammers from using there mail servers to send out SPAM. The shut off open relay.

[chabig]

I understand that. But I can send my .Mac email over comcast with no problem. Maybe there is a difference between pop3 email and IMAP email. Or it could be that Comcast is specifically blocking AOL.

Chris

[mishap]

Originally posted by chabig:
I understand that. But I can send my .Mac email over comcast with no problem. Maybe there is a difference between pop3 email and IMAP email. Or it could be that Comcast is specifically blocking AOL.

Chris

I send mail through my smtp.comcast.net as my outside IMAP account--works great.

[chabig]

I send mail through my outside IMAP account through smtp.comcast.net--works great.

Yep, it looks like that's the solution. It's working great now.

Chris