Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

TheMosco · Jul 17, 2002, 11:36 PM

<a href="http://help.apple.com/mac/1/help/mail/pgs/mac43.htm" target="_blank">http://help.apple.com/mac/1/help/mail/pgs/mac43.htm</a>

doesn't this seem to suggest that mac.com email is still free if you have an email only account? I can't seem to find that account manigment button though.

"Converting your .Mac trial account to an email-only account

IMPORTANT: If you choose to convert your trial account to an email-only account, all your data files on Apple's servers (except for email messages) will be removed. Other .Mac services, such as iDisk, HomePage, Backup, and Virex, are not accessible to email-only accounts.

To convert your trial account to email-only, go to <a href="http://www.mac.com." target="_blank">www.mac.com.</a> Click Account in the .Mac menu bar, then click the Email Account Management button. Enter the member name and password of the trial account you'd like to convert, then click Convert.

Print your account information for future reference, then click Continue."

prutz11 · Jul 17, 2002, 11:43 PM

Humnnnn... sounds hopeful... wonder if maybe it means before the September cut off maybe?
Any thoughts?
-will

mchladek · Jul 17, 2002, 11:45 PM

Yeah, I posted that in the Lounge. I thought it meant free e-mail, too. However, I don't think that's what it's actually saying. I think what it is is once you upgrade to .Mac from your trial account you can switch that trial account over to an e-mail only account so you can keep that address and not have to store all of your e-mails. Or at least that's the impression I get from that site now <img border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" title="" src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" />

besson3c · Jul 17, 2002, 11:47 PM

This would instantly pacify a lot of users if this existed.

Anybody find this button? (Maybe Apple will add this later?)

besson3c · Jul 17, 2002, 11:51 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Yeah, I posted that in the Lounge. I thought it meant free e-mail, too. However, I don't think that's what it's actually saying. I think what it is is once you upgrade to .Mac from your trial account you can switch that trial account over to an e-mail only account so you can keep that address and not have to store all of your e-mails. Or at least that's the impression I get from that site now<hr /></blockquote>Interesting theory, but it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me....

Ken_F2 · Jul 17, 2002, 11:52 PM

Mosco,

Other people are saying that it's just a way to consolidate multiple accounts under one family account. You pay $100 per year, and then $10 for each additional email address. However, if you already have multiple separate iTools accounts now (i.e. one for each person in your family), you have to convert all but one address into $10 "email only" accounts that will fall under your $100 .Mac account. That way, you don't have to pay $100 per person.

With Apple charging $10 for each additional email address [for .Mac customers], there is no way that current email accounts will continue to be free. Just think about it. If .Mac customers have to pay $10/yr to get an additional email and nothing else, how can non-.Mac subscribers get an email for free? That would make no sense.

gorickey · Jul 17, 2002, 11:57 PM

People, nothing is free....enough said.

Like your "@mac.com" e-mail? Why not sign up for a "@spymac.com" e-mail address? Free Web-mail, Forwarding, POP Entourage Access, tons of space....etc. etc.?? Afterall, at least the names are similar.

(I am in now way affiliated with Spymac, in fact....I hope my above statement is true since I haven't used their webmail and only read about it when it first started)

mchladek · Jul 18, 2002, 12:08 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by besson3c:
 <blockquote>quote:<hr />Yeah, I posted that in the Lounge. I thought it meant free e-mail, too. However, I don't think that's what it's actually saying. I think what it is is once you upgrade to .Mac from your trial account you can switch that trial account over to an e-mail only account so you can keep that address and not have to store all of your e-mails. Or at least that's the impression I get from that site now<hr /></blockquote>Interesting theory, but it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.... <hr /></blockquote>I don't know the exact details, but that's just the impression I got from the .Mac discussion boards on Apple's site. Ken_F2 did a good job of explaining what I'm talking about. What I believe, maybe someone who's signed up for .Mac already can tell me, is that if you had an iTools account that account is now a trial .Mac account. When you sign up for the full-fledged .Mac you will get a new username different from your trial account (I think). So if you want to keep that trial e-mail address, as apposed to backing up all of your e-mails onto your HD from the trial account and then uploading them onto your new .Mac account, this site the original poster posted explains how to convert that trial account to an addition e-mail address on your new .Mac account. Understand? Sorry, I'm not good at explaining things <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

legacyb4 · Jul 18, 2002, 01:16 AM

Anyone seem to notice that in the website announcement about iChat, it says:

-
Instant Messaging with iChat
Apple's iChat integrates seamlessly with AOL Instant Messager. Your Mac.com Email address is your iChat (and AIM) screen name. With iChat, you'll enjoy a terrific graphic interface that includes photos, dialog balloons, and more.
-

However, does this mean that if you don't have a mac.com email address, you can't use iChat unless you cough up for subscription?

Kinda slick there, if you ask me. What's next? "Personalize your iTunes experience with your mac.com address and have the latest hits mailed to you..."?

Cheers.

ddukes · Jul 18, 2002, 01:20 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by legacyb4:
Anyone seem to notice that in the website announcement about iChat, it says:

-
Instant Messaging with iChat
Apple's iChat integrates seamlessly with AOL Instant Messager. Your Mac.com Email address is your iChat (and AIM) screen name. With iChat, you'll enjoy a terrific graphic interface that includes photos, dialog balloons, and more.
-

However, does this mean that if you don't have a mac.com email address, you can't use iChat unless you cough up for subscription?

Kinda slick there, if you ask me. What's next? "Personalize your iTunes experience with your mac.com address and have the latest hits mailed to you..."?

Cheers.<hr /></blockquote>No that doesn't mean you can't use iChat. If in fact we do have to pay for our mac.com e-mail addresses then you will be forced to use your AIM login for iChat if you have one and if you don't you would just have to create one.

Andrew 8808 · Jul 18, 2002, 01:24 AM

No, iChat works fine with your normal AOL/AIM screen name. Steve said this in the keynote, and it has worked this way since iChat first showed up. They must have left out a word

dwishbone · Jul 18, 2002, 09:55 AM

It does say convert a "trial" account to a "e-mail only" account.
that is all i use iTools (.Mac) for. I don't need any of the other mess. For the average or beginning user it is great, but not for the "in the know"
lets see...services...

Virus software: why the hell do mac users need this? i am happy with NAV and it works great on a local machine and over a network

Backup: i thought this was a joke...but I guess it is real. almost every computer comes with a cd burner now and apple themselves are pushing superdrives hard. what purpose is this for? it's a friggin buck for a cd

web hosting: given the fact i do run a small shareware company on iTools this was a viable option because it was free. well, i'll be damned if I am going to pay for what the current homepage service is. they block sites spiratically and everytime i release a new program i always get my site blocked for 24 hours due to bandwidth issues. if they have unlimited usage i could see where this would be useful

iDisk: well, this is sort of useful, but it is sad that my windows XP built in WebDAV can access my iDisk faster than the built in iTools connectivity. it is a cool thing, but way to slow. lets see how much better jaguar is at it

all i want is free email steve. give it to us? i hate to think of the alternatives. Mac.com was the best and it made all my PC using friends envious with their pathetic hotmail accounts.