re: msn, hotmail, and windows life with jfw confusion
- From: "Alan Clendinen" <alanclendinen@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:12:10 -0400
Jamie,
It is understandable that you are a bit confused by the similar-sounding
names which Microsoft has given to some of their e-mail products. The
similarities confuse a lot of people.
I'll try to explain the differences between the various Hotmail and Windows
Live Mail products, and let others address your questions about Windows Live
Messenger.
Windows Live Hotmail is the browser-based e-mail service which replaced the
original Hotmail. You open your browser and go to hotmail.com and enter your
user id and password.
If you don't have a Windows Live Hotmail account set up yet, you'll have to
click on the appropriate link to set up an account.
The main difficulty for blind users when signing up for the account, is the
CAPTCHA, which is a combination of numbers and letters in a graphic form,
which you have to enter into an edit field. These graphic images cannot be
read by JAWS. Microsoft provides a link to an audio file which will read the
CAPTCHA to you, but it is still a hassle, but many JAWS users have managed
to get past this hurdle.
I advise you to avoid checking any boxes during the sign-up process which
want you to post your Hotmail address in any Internet directory. Nor should
you check any boxes which would sign you up to receive web-based magazines.
This will help reduce the SPAM you will get in your e-mail account.
Since the original Hotmail is no longer around, there is really no point in
comparing it with the Windows Live Hotmail. There are, however, two display
settings for Windows Live Hotmail that you will want to choose from. The
full, graphic-rich version is the default. It has more bells and whistles,
such as message previews, but because of all the graphics, it is very slow,
especially if you are on a dial-up Internet connection.
If you want a faster, simpler, cleaner user interface, choose the classic
Hotmail display setting.
Now then, to further muddy your choices, Microsoft also offers Windows Live
Mail, which is an e-mail program you can download to your computer. This
e-mail program can be used instead of Outlook Express, and with it, you have
the option of accessing your Windows Live Hotmail account, instead of using
your browser. This makes reading and sending e-mail much easier. You can
read more about Windows Live Mail and download a free copy by going to the
following address:
http://get.live.com/wlmail/overview
Alan
Other related posts:
