Patience finally wearing thin ...

Brigitte · 15 Apr 2005, 10:30 PM

Almost cannot deal with this service any more.
Going Mailsnare soon ...

jordymacsmom · 15 Apr 2005, 10:51 PM

I will be switching when my subscription run out also. I'm not paying Runbox and then not be able to access my email.

carverrn · 15 Apr 2005, 11:03 PM

It is regretable but understandable.

It's probably been about 6 months of almost weekly problems ranging from minor to major. People who rely on their email for their business can deal with occassional problems but you reach a point when you have to say "enough is enough" and move on.

I've done a number of things to give myself backups when Runbox is down so I can almost always get my email. I still prefer the Runbox features and using the Runbox web interface so I'm hoping for the best. They were good before. They have good people. I think they'll get it worked out ... eventually.

Regards,
Rich

marc_otten · 15 Apr 2005, 11:05 PM

Strange...for me, everything is working flawless. I cannot figure out why some people always seem to have trouble with Runbox, while others (like me) almost never experience any downtime. I can imagine though that people are getting seriously p*ssed off. I know I would

Is this because user accounts are 'spread' over different servers?

rabbit · 15 Apr 2005, 11:31 PM

Good comments, carverrn. I agree with everything you said.
Can you tell me how I can set up a "back-up" for runbox mail ?
Thanks!

jbs · 15 Apr 2005, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rabbit
Good comments, carverrn. I agree with everything you said.
Can you tell me how I can set up a "back-up" for runbox mail ?
Thanks!

I'm interested to hear Rich's response, but I'll share what I do to try andget around outages. It's not currently a complete solution, but it's a start.

One option is to add a Runbox filter which forwards all your mail to another account, say GMail. I have a filter set up at value -99 to do that. As long as Runbox is receiving messages fine, it will forward them on to GMail and I can not only access them there in real time, but I also have an historical archive of all my mail (admittedly unsorted, but far more searchable than Runbox).

If you want to be COMPLETELY insulated against even a total Runbox system crash (i.e. where your filters are never seeing the messages in the first place) then I would think you need to use a non-Runbox address which forwards to BOTH your Runbox address and another (say GMail) address. I have this set up for SOME of my mail.

I don't give anyone my Runbox address, instead I use unique disposable addresses on my own mail domain for companies/vendors/websites/etc. When one gets spammed, I can shut off that one address and be rid of the spam.

In the mail setup for that domain, I have everything forward to both Runbox and to a GMail account.

For personal stuff, I use my college alumni lifetime email forwarding service, which unfortunately will only forward to one address. If Runbox is inaccessible, I can forward that instead to the domain I described above, which in turn will forward to both my Runbox and my GMail account, but as long as Runbox is working fine I just have it go straight there so as to not make MY domain a bottleneck either . . .

Rich?

--Jason

jtlapp · 15 Apr 2005, 11:46 PM

rabbit, here's how you keep a backup account:

(1) Open an account with a mail-forwarding service such as pobox.com.

(2) Open an account with a free email service such as gmail.com.

(3) Have the mail-forwarding service forward all emails to both runbox and your free email account.

(4) Have your From address on both runbox and the free email account specify your mail-forwarding address.

(5) Tell everyone to use your new mail-forwarding email address.

All my mail goes to my pobox.com account, which then forwards it to both gmail and runbox. For web access, I use gmail. For pop access, I use runbox, if it's available.

BTW, is anyone keeping track of Runbox's actual uptime? If someone had actual uptime to report, this might ignite a bit of a fire under their pants, as they wouldn't be able to simply advertise their target uptime anymore.

rabbit · 16 Apr 2005, 12:39 AM

Thanks for the info on the set-up, I understand it completely and I will get things set up. It is very clear, thanks again!
Just tried to send a message from runbox (I actually was able to log-in!). But, I gave up after waiting and waiting....no response to my attempt to send the message.
Isin't it something that there is no system update posted here recently ? Remember a few months ago how runbox PROMISED to communicate better with the customers ?

carverrn · 16 Apr 2005, 01:43 AM

Same thing here basically.

I use my own domains and the email forwarding features of the DNS hosting each domain to forward messages to several different email accounts (Runbox, Gmail, Yahoo).

Since I have several domains my preference is to use Runbox since it looks like I'm sending from those domains. The backups give lots of space so they can collect my mails just in case I need to get to them when Runbox is down. But neither Yahoo nor Gmail can give me an acceptable daily solution for managing email for multiple domains.

I honestly "love" Runbox's Folder Preferences because I filter mail to "domain specific" folders and when I compose/reply from within those folders Runbox makes sure I'm using the "From" and "Reply-To" addresses for messages related to that folder. Having just a dropdown list of personalities is "nice" but it doesn't help ensure that I've selected the right one before I send. I really think Runbox's approach is easier for people who manage emails from multiple domains. Which is one of the primary reasons I choose Runbox in the first place.

The only drawback is that I still have to login to the other accounts from time to time and delete old stuff. As their space increases the frequency I have to login gets smaller. For Gmail I could filter all emails to Gmail's Trash and let it auto-delete after 30 days. For Yahoo you wouldn't want to use the Trash folder because Yahoo says it can be deleted at "anytime".

Regards,
Rich

carverrn · 16 Apr 2005, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by marc_otten
Strange...for me, everything is working flawless. I cannot figure out why some people always seem to have trouble with Runbox, while others (like me) almost never experience any downtime. I can imagine though that people are getting seriously p*ssed off. I know I would

Is this because user accounts are 'spread' over different servers?

Marc, do you primarily use the web interface like me? I know people using IMAP have had a number of ongoing problems.

Accessing from the web interface seems to be the most stable approach for Runbox. Followed by POP3. With IMAP as the least stable.

There seems to have been a large number of problems related to specific servers or specific accounts that didn't get properly updated when they were moved to a new server. So some may have been experiencing more problems than others because of these issues.

Regards,
Rich

jordymacsmom · 16 Apr 2005, 04:10 AM

I understand all of the alternatives that have been given here for being able to get your emails, not that it excuses Runbox's excessive down-time or their inability to communicate with customers.

My main problem lies in the fact that I get a lot of my email through Yahoo Groups, and there are several problems that I would run into by forwarding my mail to a GMail account - which I do have.

The first is that even though I could read my Yahoo Groups email on a GMail account, I would not be able to respond or reply to any of them because Yahoo Groups will only allow you to receive or send email from ONE email address.

The second problem would be - even if I went into the Yahoo Groups control panel and switched all of me email to the GMail address - it takes FOREVER for Yahoo to recognize the change and start sending mail to the new address. So either way I go, I would be end of losing emails or not be able to repsond...

carverrn · 16 Apr 2005, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jordymacsmom
My main problem lies in the fact that I get a lot of my email through Yahoo Groups, and there are several problems that I would run into by forwarding my mail to a GMail account - which I do have.

The first is that even though I could read my Yahoo Groups email on a GMail account, I would not be able to respond or reply to any of them because Yahoo Groups will only allow you to receive or send email from ONE email address.

You can post to Yahoo! Groups from alternate addresses as long as you tell Yahoo! Groups what addresses you're going to use.

In Yahoo! Groups go to My Email Preferences. Find the email address you want to use an alternate posting address for and select the Edit option. Under Alternate Posting Addresses enter your alternate address.

Plus the post will be made using your registered address and not the alternate address it came from.

Regards,
Rich

16 Apr 2005, 08:05 AM

It's friday evening the last day of tax season! I now have time to myself.

Anywho, I tried me best to be patient with runbox, but must move on.

rabbit · 16 Apr 2005, 08:53 AM

Now all I get are time-outs when I try to connect to runbox.
Of course, if runbox is having problems we wouldn't know about it here because the runbox staff does not communicate
well with their customers, although they promised they would!
The reason I'm writing again today about problems is because I would hope anyone who is considering opening a runbox account would read the posts and then think twice about it!

**JeffK** · 16 Apr 2005, 09:28 AM

I don't use my Runbox account for anything serious (I have it so that I can help forum members - I will have to start one day

). FYI, However I receive the daily bandwidth report and don't have any trouble accessing Runbox either via the web interface or with my IMAP access set up in Thunderbird.

I can't help but think that while several users are repoorting problems, it may not be a systemic problem and Runbox support may be able to sort it out on a case by case basis.

Jeff

15 Apr 2005, 10:30 PM	#1
Brigitte Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1	Patience finally wearing thin ... Almost cannot deal with this service any more. Going Mailsnare soon ...

15 Apr 2005, 11:31 PM	#5
rabbit Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 98	good post Good comments, carverrn. I agree with everything you said. Can you tell me how I can set up a "back-up" for runbox mail ? Thanks!

16 Apr 2005, 08:05 AM	#13
Guest Posts: n/a	I done did give up on runbox It's friday evening the last day of tax season! I now have time to myself. Anywho, I tried me best to be patient with runbox, but must move on.

16 Apr 2005, 08:53 AM	#14
rabbit Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 98	Timeouts Now all I get are time-outs when I try to connect to runbox. Of course, if runbox is having problems we wouldn't know about it here because the runbox staff does not communicate well with their customers, although they promised they would! The reason I'm writing again today about problems is because I would hope anyone who is considering opening a runbox account would read the posts and then think twice about it!

15 Apr 2005, 10:51 PM	#2
jordymacsmom Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 16	I will be switching when my subscription run out also. I'm not paying Runbox and then not be able to access my email.

15 Apr 2005, 11:03 PM	#3
carverrn Intergalactic Postmaster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 5,606 Representative of: Runbox.com	It is regretable but understandable. It's probably been about 6 months of almost weekly problems ranging from minor to major. People who rely on their email for their business can deal with occassional problems but you reach a point when you have to say "enough is enough" and move on. I've done a number of things to give myself backups when Runbox is down so I can almost always get my email. I still prefer the Runbox features and using the Runbox web interface so I'm hoping for the best. They were good before. They have good people. I think they'll get it worked out ... eventually. Regards, Rich

15 Apr 2005, 11:05 PM	#4
marc_otten Master of the @ Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Breda, NL Posts: 1,070	Strange...for me, everything is working flawless. I cannot figure out why some people always seem to have trouble with Runbox, while others (like me) almost never experience any downtime. I can imagine though that people are getting seriously p*ssed off. I know I would Is this because user accounts are 'spread' over different servers?

15 Apr 2005, 11:46 PM	#7
jtlapp Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 36	rabbit, here's how you keep a backup account: (1) Open an account with a mail-forwarding service such as pobox.com. (2) Open an account with a free email service such as gmail.com. (3) Have the mail-forwarding service forward all emails to both runbox and your free email account. (4) Have your From address on both runbox and the free email account specify your mail-forwarding address. (5) Tell everyone to use your new mail-forwarding email address. All my mail goes to my pobox.com account, which then forwards it to both gmail and runbox. For web access, I use gmail. For pop access, I use runbox, if it's available. BTW, is anyone keeping track of Runbox's actual uptime? If someone had actual uptime to report, this might ignite a bit of a fire under their pants, as they wouldn't be able to simply advertise their target uptime anymore.

16 Apr 2005, 12:39 AM	#8
rabbit Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 98	Thanks for the info on the set-up, I understand it completely and I will get things set up. It is very clear, thanks again! Just tried to send a message from runbox (I actually was able to log-in!). But, I gave up after waiting and waiting....no response to my attempt to send the message. Isin't it something that there is no system update posted here recently ? Remember a few months ago how runbox PROMISED to communicate better with the customers ?

16 Apr 2005, 01:43 AM	#9
carverrn Intergalactic Postmaster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 5,606 Representative of: Runbox.com	Same thing here basically. I use my own domains and the email forwarding features of the DNS hosting each domain to forward messages to several different email accounts (Runbox, Gmail, Yahoo). Since I have several domains my preference is to use Runbox since it looks like I'm sending from those domains. The backups give lots of space so they can collect my mails just in case I need to get to them when Runbox is down. But neither Yahoo nor Gmail can give me an acceptable daily solution for managing email for multiple domains. I honestly "love" Runbox's Folder Preferences because I filter mail to "domain specific" folders and when I compose/reply from within those folders Runbox makes sure I'm using the "From" and "Reply-To" addresses for messages related to that folder. Having just a dropdown list of personalities is "nice" but it doesn't help ensure that I've selected the right one before I send. I really think Runbox's approach is easier for people who manage emails from multiple domains. Which is one of the primary reasons I choose Runbox in the first place. The only drawback is that I still have to login to the other accounts from time to time and delete old stuff. As their space increases the frequency I have to login gets smaller. For Gmail I could filter all emails to Gmail's Trash and let it auto-delete after 30 days. For Yahoo you wouldn't want to use the Trash folder because Yahoo says it can be deleted at "anytime". Regards, Rich

16 Apr 2005, 04:10 AM	#11
jordymacsmom Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 16	I understand all of the alternatives that have been given here for being able to get your emails, not that it excuses Runbox's excessive down-time or their inability to communicate with customers. My main problem lies in the fact that I get a lot of my email through Yahoo Groups, and there are several problems that I would run into by forwarding my mail to a GMail account - which I do have. The first is that even though I could read my Yahoo Groups email on a GMail account, I would not be able to respond or reply to any of them because Yahoo Groups will only allow you to receive or send email from ONE email address. The second problem would be - even if I went into the Yahoo Groups control panel and switched all of me email to the GMail address - it takes FOREVER for Yahoo to recognize the change and start sending mail to the new address. So either way I go, I would be end of losing emails or not be able to repsond...

16 Apr 2005, 09:28 AM	#15
JeffK Moderator Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Kingaroy, AU Posts: 3,177	I don't use my Runbox account for anything serious (I have it so that I can help forum members - I will have to start one day ). FYI, However I receive the daily bandwidth report and don't have any trouble accessing Runbox either via the web interface or with my IMAP access set up in Thunderbird. I can't help but think that while several users are repoorting problems, it may not be a systemic problem and Runbox support may be able to sort it out on a case by case basis. Jeff