Considering new email service. Net@ddress registration still possible?

Red_Machine · 7 Nov 2013, 06:51 AM

Hey guys,

I've been browsing this site for the last few days, as every once in a while I like to re-evaluate my current services (be they software or web-based stuff like email) to see what interesting stuff lurks out there.

I currently have email accounts with Google, Mail.com, AOL, Hotmail and Yahoo (had since 1998!), with Mail.com being for my primary correspondence and Google being for stuff like eBay, Steam, PayPal, etc (the others are for particular sites that send a lot of emails that I'd rather keep separate from my main inboxes). I've been reading that recently Mail.com has been terminating domains with little warning, and I would hate that to happen to my account, so I was considering some other options. I registered with a Computermail.net account (after seeing it on this site), but I would be interested to look into cheap paid-for services as well. I've read through this site and others that Net@ddress is a reliable service with no end in sight, but their site doesn't seem to have a facility for registering new accounts; I emailed their support and am awaiting their reply, but if anyone here could tell me if it was still possible to register with them it would be appreciated.

I primarily access via Windows-based client (currently SeaMonkey Mail), so I'm not really bothered about clunky/archaic webmail interfaces. If anything, they're amusing, as is the case with Computermail.net's 90s-esque pure HTML interface. I generally like to have accounts with separate providers in case one goes out of business, has a major outage, or has its security compromised. I generally favour veteran services, but would be willing to consider younger ones provided they have a good reputation and an interesting domain name. Ideally I'd want IMAP as I maintain folders on some of my accounts, but this isn't mandatory.

Many thanks for reading, and I'm sure I'll get some great suggestions!

emailmaniac · 8 Nov 2013, 07:53 PM

Hi Red_Machine,

About a month ago I also noticed that Net@ddress had suddenly removed any sign-up link from their home page. I emailed support and was told the link had been removed to prevent spammers from obtaining accounts to send their unsolicited emails. I wrote back saying this was inaccurate. When a user signs up for a Net@ddress account, all he or she receives is a "trial" version, which only gives access to the webmail interface in non-functional mode. No sending or receiving of email is possible until you fully pay for the account. I also asked why there wasn't at least a message on the home page telling potential customers to email Support if they seek an account. I got a reply saying my questions were being directed further up the command chain and that I would hear back shortly. I never did. To my mind, this spells trouble.

The removal of the "new sign-ups" link coincided almost precisely with Net@address going from a member of the "ePerimeter Security" group to belonging to the "Silver Sky" company. Something is brewing behind the scenes here.

Keep in mind also that the least expensive membership Net@ddress offered was $40/year, which included only 1 gig of storage. Not really a competitive product in today's marketplace.

Bottom line: my advice is to stay clear of this one.

All the best,
Dave

Red_Machine · 8 Nov 2013, 09:42 PM

Thanks for your reply, Dave.

From what I understand from researching, USA.net renamed itself SilverSky (at least the SilverSky website says "Perimiter eSecurity and USA.NET are now SilverSky").

I received a reply to my query, though it got sent to my Mail.com spam box, so I didn't notice it till now.

Quote:

Hi ,

Thank you for contacting SilverSky Messaging Support team. We have issued you a support ticket for the following request:
Problem/Request: - Signing up New account

Please send your choice of email address so we can check if that is still available. If it is, we will then start the account
and we'll send you a temporary password so you can access it for subscription purchase.

Here's the list of the Plans:
Net@ddress Standard
Take advantage of all of the great features of Net@ddress today! Choose from 3 affordable Net@ddress Standard plans.
1 Month with SSL and 1GB $5.95
1 Year with SSL and 1GB $39.99
2 Years with SSL and 1GB $69.99

Net@ddress Extra
Is 1GB not enough for all of your email? Do you need more security? Upgrade to Net@ddress Extra and a 2GB mailbox with SSL
encryption.
1 Year with SSL and 2GB $54.99
2 Years with SSL and 2GB $89.99

Net@ddress Premium
For users that need that extra storage, Net@ddress Premium gives you 4GB and SSL encryption for increased security.
1 Year with SSL and 4GB $64.99
2 Years with SSL and 4GB $97.49

Net@ddress Premium Plus
For users that need that extra storage, Net@ddress Premium Plus gives you 8GB and SSL encryption for increased security.
1 Year with SSL and 8GB $93.99
2 Years with SSL and 8GB $140.99

If in the future you need assistance, please don't hesitate to call and we'll definitely help you.

Sincerely,

MONICA XXXXXXXX
Consumer Messaging Specialist
SilverSky.com

(Surname removed to comply with forum rules)

I have almost 10,000 messages in my GMail, and I'm only using around 300MB. I've had that account for almost 7 years now, so I don't think that I'm ever going to need one of the more expensive plans. I'm more after the added security of a paid subscription and the less snoop-happy powers-that-be, which is why I don't want to open another Google or Yahoo account. Not like I have anything to hide, but I still don't like the idea of my data being mined/scanned.

Red_Machine · 8 Nov 2013, 10:51 PM

Sorry to double post, but I just got this confusing email from Monica:

Quote:

Hi,

As of the moment, we do not sign up customers with no Existing Account. We apologized for the inconvenience.

Have a nice day.

Sincerely,

MONICA

Seems a bit odd, considering that a few days ago, she was perfectly happy to set up an account for me.

EDIT: Her reply doesn't exactly fill me with confidence.

Quote:

Hi Chris,

We are truly sorry but a new update from our Postmaster just came in directing us to sign up only existing customers.

Sincerely,

MONICA

Seems like Net@ddress is an exclusive gated community for the time being. Anyone who already has an account there willing to set one up for me?

William9 · 9 Nov 2013, 12:09 AM

Her messages do not make sense. Signing up only existing customers

. Aren't they already signed up? I had a couple of USA.net/Net@ddress accounts years ago. They were actually provided free by American Express. We received a lot of spam on those accounts and closed them.

Red_Machine · 9 Nov 2013, 12:17 AM

I think she means that they are not accepting new customers, only maintaining and setting up new inboxes for existing customers.

7 Nov 2013, 06:51 AM	#1
Red_Machine Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Great Britain Posts: 24	Considering new email service. Net@ddress registration still possible? Hey guys, I've been browsing this site for the last few days, as every once in a while I like to re-evaluate my current services (be they software or web-based stuff like email) to see what interesting stuff lurks out there. I currently have email accounts with Google, Mail.com, AOL, Hotmail and Yahoo (had since 1998!), with Mail.com being for my primary correspondence and Google being for stuff like eBay, Steam, PayPal, etc (the others are for particular sites that send a lot of emails that I'd rather keep separate from my main inboxes). I've been reading that recently Mail.com has been terminating domains with little warning, and I would hate that to happen to my account, so I was considering some other options. I registered with a Computermail.net account (after seeing it on this site), but I would be interested to look into cheap paid-for services as well. I've read through this site and others that Net@ddress is a reliable service with no end in sight, but their site doesn't seem to have a facility for registering new accounts; I emailed their support and am awaiting their reply, but if anyone here could tell me if it was still possible to register with them it would be appreciated. I primarily access via Windows-based client (currently SeaMonkey Mail), so I'm not really bothered about clunky/archaic webmail interfaces. If anything, they're amusing, as is the case with Computermail.net's 90s-esque pure HTML interface. I generally like to have accounts with separate providers in case one goes out of business, has a major outage, or has its security compromised. I generally favour veteran services, but would be willing to consider younger ones provided they have a good reputation and an interesting domain name. Ideally I'd want IMAP as I maintain folders on some of my accounts, but this isn't mandatory. Many thanks for reading, and I'm sure I'll get some great suggestions! Last edited by Red_Machine : 8 Nov 2013 at 02:29 AM.

8 Nov 2013, 07:53 PM	#2
emailmaniac Essential Contributor Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Southern California, U.S.A. Posts: 212	Net@ddress Hi Red_Machine, About a month ago I also noticed that Net@ddress had suddenly removed any sign-up link from their home page. I emailed support and was told the link had been removed to prevent spammers from obtaining accounts to send their unsolicited emails. I wrote back saying this was inaccurate. When a user signs up for a Net@ddress account, all he or she receives is a "trial" version, which only gives access to the webmail interface in non-functional mode. No sending or receiving of email is possible until you fully pay for the account. I also asked why there wasn't at least a message on the home page telling potential customers to email Support if they seek an account. I got a reply saying my questions were being directed further up the command chain and that I would hear back shortly. I never did. To my mind, this spells trouble. The removal of the "new sign-ups" link coincided almost precisely with Net@address going from a member of the "ePerimeter Security" group to belonging to the "Silver Sky" company. Something is brewing behind the scenes here. Keep in mind also that the least expensive membership Net@ddress offered was $40/year, which included only 1 gig of storage. Not really a competitive product in today's marketplace. Bottom line: my advice is to stay clear of this one. All the best, Dave

9 Nov 2013, 12:09 AM	#5
William9 The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 2,281	Her messages do not make sense. Signing up only existing customers . Aren't they already signed up? I had a couple of USA.net/Net@ddress accounts years ago. They were actually provided free by American Express. We received a lot of spam on those accounts and closed them.

9 Nov 2013, 12:17 AM	#6
Red_Machine Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Great Britain Posts: 24	I think she means that they are not accepting new customers, only maintaining and setting up new inboxes for existing customers.