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Internet => Web Browsing & Email => Topic started by: kapt69 on February 23, 2010, 02:14:14 PM

Title: Keeping email address when changing ISP
Post by: kapt69 on February 23, 2010, 02:14:14 PM
HI
Have searched, but cannot find 'simple' answer so hope someone may advise. I have been considering changing ISP for some time, but am always put off by having to change email address and therefore presumably notify all the many people & organisations who have the old one.
It's not necessarily the people on my address book - it's all the organisations etc that have my address that I have forgotten about!! Some I agree I would be better off losing contact with - but not all.
Is there a way of keeping old address? (Am with orange - my address format: john@doe.fsnet.co.uk and also my wife mary@doe.fsnet.co.uk - details obviously changed) I have read Kitz email tutorial, but don't believe that answers this.
If there is no way - how do people manage to not lose contact with 'people' that they have forgotten to notify - is there an email equivalent of the POst Office mail forwarding?
Sorry if this is v. basic - but I have wanted to ask for some time & have at last plucked up the courage!! :-[
Title: Re: Keeping email address when changing ISP
Post by: HPsauce on February 23, 2010, 02:20:59 PM
It depends ENTIRELY on the policy of the ISP concerned.
Some cut you off immediately.
Some give you the option to pay a small monthly fee.
Some require you to log in and somehow "refresh" your account regularly.
Some just leave them there.

I believe Orange will suspend your account if you don't connect to it via Orange for a period (6 months?) but you can reinstate it through a non-trivial but not impossible process.

Best to get an ISP-independent email account, at least as a backup, well before migrating and make sure you tell people or at least keep a copy of your address book.
Title: Re: Keeping email address when changing ISP
Post by: kapt69 on February 23, 2010, 02:38:57 PM
HP
Thanks for reply.
I guess these independent addresses have charges - are there any that people would recommend as being fair value & reliable?
Title: Re: Keeping email address when changing ISP
Post by: tuftedduck on February 23, 2010, 02:40:41 PM
Or a web based mail account........Hotmail, Yahoo, Googlemail etc.
Title: Re: Keeping email address when changing ISP
Post by: HPsauce on February 23, 2010, 03:03:36 PM
I guess these independent addresses have charges
In general only if you want your own domain name.
The ones listed by TD are all free.
Title: Re: Keeping email address when changing ISP
Post by: kapt69 on February 23, 2010, 03:19:32 PM
TD/HP
Many thanks - knew I shouldn't have asked - decisions - choices  ! :no:
Will look into Googlemail (Gmail?) as this seems favoured by what I've read so far.
Title: Re: Keeping email address when changing ISP
Post by: UncleUB on February 23, 2010, 03:59:45 PM
TD/HP
Many thanks - knew I shouldn't have asked - decisions - choices  ! :no:
Will look into Googlemail (Gmail?) as this seems favoured by what I've read so far.

I have had a Google (Gmail) account for a couple of years now and I am very happy with it I get very lttle spam into my junk mail folder.
Title: Re: Keeping email address when changing ISP
Post by: kapt69 on February 23, 2010, 05:07:13 PM
UUB
That gives me more confidence - thanks.
I think I'll have to bite the bullet & change ISPs so if I'm going to lose my existing address may as well get one that I can keep 'forever' - or at least until I don't need one anymore! :oldman:
Quote
I get very lttle spam into my junk mail folder.
Just one more Q: - where will I get all that Viagra from now?
Title: Re: Keeping email address when changing ISP
Post by: BritBrat on February 24, 2010, 07:06:37 AM
You should be able to keep it if you can downgrade it to a dialup account.

I have Orange Email accounts but I am not with Orange and never have been.

You do have to dial in every month or so to keep them active.

Mine are so old they look something like this: FISTNAME@MYNAME.freeserve.co.uk

A others have said, get your own domain name and an Email account, keep the Orange one going for a year using dialup and change them all over to own domain during that time.


I believe Orange will suspend your account if you don't connect to it via Orange for a period (6 months?) but you can reinstate it through a non-trivial but not impossible process.

I don't think that is the case any more, once closed it is not able to reactivate it again.  It was possible for years and you never had to dial in once it stoped you just reactivated it but they change the T&C.

It is now administerd from a place in the news this week, Madeira.
Title: Re: Keeping email address when changing ISP
Post by: kapt69 on February 24, 2010, 12:49:04 PM
BB - thanks for info. Very interesting.
Would you mind telling me how you 'dial in'? I remember having to connect 'manually' when I was on dialup & using a modem. Having been on broadband and using a router now for a few years I'm not sure how you would actually do it. (or indeed how you get an account downgraded - don't suppose Orange will fall over themselves to be helpful if I'm leaving!)
If this is a possibility it does give some security in case I miss out a mail contact in the changeover.
Cheers
Title: Re: Keeping email address when changing ISP
Post by: sevenlayermuddle on February 25, 2010, 09:12:19 PM
Kapt,

You probably won't thank me for throwing other equations into the melting pot, but I'll do so anyway.

For future email addresses, I highly recommend registering a domain name, like kapt69.co.uk.  You'd then be able to forward mail for <anybody>@kapt69.co.uk ('anybody' being you@..., the_wife@..., the_goldfish@.... etc.) to whatever ISP you happen to be using.   You, your family, your pets then have a permanent email address as long as you pay for it (a few pounds a year). If you want to switch ISP in future, you just change the forwarding rules to match your new ISP , but keep the same mail address.

I've just checked and, amazingly 'kapt69.co.uk' is not already registered, so you could snap it up if you're quick.  But who knows, you may be able to think of something even better. :D

There's various sites who make it all easy for you.  Personally, I use www.freeparking.co.uk, take a look - it's easy to see if your preferred domain name would be available, and how much it would cost.  For example, .com names are a little more expensive that .co.uk, but not much more if you feel happier with a .com.

- 7LM
Title: Re: Keeping email address when changing ISP
Post by: kapt69 on February 26, 2010, 08:02:12 AM
7LM
Thank you for the suggestion - I had a wonderful image then of your household - the dog with his own email - brings a whole new slant on  'the dog & bone'!
I have been following previous suggestions and have set up a Googlemail address (for my wife - using her to test the system!), but I did wonder about the paid-for domain names.
I do tend to believe you 'get what you pay for'  -so - what benefits do you find in having a domain as opposed to the 'free' Google/Yahoo addresses?
Cheers
K
Title: Re: Keeping email address when changing ISP
Post by: HPsauce on February 26, 2010, 08:49:16 AM
Personally I've found domain names (I have several) useful for 4 things:
1. Easily provide email addresses for all the family when they want them (though now the kids have moved on elsewhere)
2. Long-term guaranteed continuity of contact details for personal communications
3. Less spam - just don't seem to be targeted as much (but I am careful)
4. Looks more professional, both on CV's and the like and especially if you run a small business or are a sole trader.
Title: Re: Keeping email address when changing ISP
Post by: BritBrat on February 26, 2010, 09:20:52 AM
BB - thanks for info. Very interesting.
Would you mind telling me how you 'dial in'? I remember having to connect 'manually' when I was on dialup & using a modem. Having been on broadband and using a router now for a few years I'm not sure how you would actually do it. (or indeed how you get an account downgraded - don't suppose Orange will fall over themselves to be helpful if I'm leaving!)
If this is a possibility it does give some security in case I miss out a mail contact in the changeover.
Cheers

Would you mind telling me how you 'dial in'?

I have a internal modem on computer that is normally disabled in system (To stop rouge diallers) I reactivate modem and go to START - ALL PROGRAMS - CONNECT TO - SHOW ALL CONNECTIONS and in there I have the dialup for my freeserve account.  I click it and let it connect even though I still have broadband running on same computer let it connect and a few minutes later disconnect, disable modem again until next time.

WHAT EVER YOU DO

Do not run the Orange install programme, set it up manually.

If you go to the Orange site and do an account retrieval you can download the .ins file (DO NOT SELECT RUN as they say to do) save it to desktop and open it with notepad and inside will be all the information you need to setup the dialup account.

The only thing I am not sure about is if you can also setup a dialup account with the same details as broadband account.

Just give the retrival a try and see what happens:
retrieve an active account (https://www.orange.co.uk/signup/reclaim/ar10.cfm?linkfrom=Time_ret_rest_account&link=lost_settings_retrieve_button)
Save the link to favourites as it is hard to find at times.

You may have to downgrade first, phone up and ask Orange.


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Title: Re: Keeping email address when changing ISP
Post by: sevenlayermuddle on February 26, 2010, 09:56:53 AM
One more thing occurred to me re private domains...  With a .com domain name the registrant's full contact name & address in full public view via the 'whois' servers.  With a .co.uk name, private (non-trading) registrant's can opt not to disclose their address.

And further to HP's suggested advantages (all of which I agree with)...
...I suggested forwarding mail to your ISP because that's probably the easiest thing to do.  But you don't have to, you can use any mail hosting service that's available to you.  freeparking, for example, allow you to use their own mail service (with webmail access) if you prefer, though I have to say that whenever I tried their webmail it's been so slow as to be completely unusable.

For the technically ambitious you could even implement your own mail server, which is a lot more secure (secure as in 'private') than entrusting it to the IT dept. of your ISP.   I've never done so as it would mean opening a port in the router's firewall, and the thought of the slightest chink in the router's armour fills me with dread.


Title: Re: Keeping email address when changing ISP
Post by: BritBrat on February 26, 2010, 10:01:26 AM
For the technically ambitious you could even implement your own mail server, which is a lot more secure (secure as in 'private') than entrusting it to the IT dept. of your ISP.   I've never done so as it would mean opening a port in the router's firewall, and the thought of the slightest chink in the router's armour fills me with dread.

I have been thinking of trying that, at the moment I am trialing WHS (windows home server) and wondered if I could install an Email service on that.
Title: Re: Keeping email address when changing ISP
Post by: sevenlayermuddle on February 26, 2010, 11:37:36 AM
I have been thinking of trying that, at the moment I am trialing WHS (windows home server) and wondered if I could install an Email service on that.

Can't help you there.  If I was going to do it, I'd use Linux, as I do for pretty much everything other than GUI applications, largely just because of a personal long-standing anti-Microsoft prejudice. Even so, I'd still not be able to advise, as I've never done it. :)

Anybody else?
Title: Re: Keeping email address when changing ISP
Post by: kapt69 on February 26, 2010, 12:38:00 PM
BB
Thank you very much for the step by step instros - you've obviously detected my ability level! :baby:
- no joke! I am (but by now probably shouldn't be) amazed at how complex everything I try to do seems to be.
I just use Outlook Express - open it & in come the emails. I have learned to go onto the Orange website & gain access that way as a result of some emails not 'downloading' for whatever reason. Which leads to:
7LM
Thanks to you again.
I am going to have to look into this & read up (more!) - I looked through some parts of the Freeparking site - I really am not sure about 'forwarding' etc.
I know you refer to
Quote
forwarding mail to your ISP because that's probably the easiest thing to do
I take this to mean: I pay for & set up a domain name eg. Jones.me.uk and then this gives me the facility to set up (say) 2 email addresses fred@jones.me.uk & mary@jones.me.uk (which I can keep for as long as I want provided I continue to pay). Let's say I switch ISP to Idnet from Orange - I would want access to my emails from home PC via Outlook Express & when away via laptopwifi or internet cafe etc. whch I have done so far by going to Orange website & logging in to my account. By forwarding to my ISP - does this mean emails go from sender to Domain (somewhere??) then are passed automatically to my account on ISP - then are 'called off' byOutlook Express when I start that?
I really feel that I am asking for too-simple explanations for a site like this. An easier way might be for someone to point me to a simple-to-understand guide to emails/domains etc,?? If such a place exists? Please don't misunderstand - I really appreciate efforts.
Title: Re: Keeping email address when changing ISP
Post by: sevenlayermuddle on February 26, 2010, 01:14:26 PM
email forwarding by freeparking.co.uk just goes on behind the scenes with no action on your part after its set up.

I seem to remember you can set up specific 'rules' for up to ten users.  So email for the_dog@.....co.uk would be forwarded to fido@<whatever>.demon.co.uk, the_goldfishfish@..... could be forwarded to goldie@..... etc.     Fido then sets up his demon email client so that the_dog@......co.uk  appears in the 'sender/reply to' fields of outgoing mail.   Same should work for for orange and other ISPs too,  of course, I've just used demon as an example.

You can also set up a 'default' rule for all other mail, so even if somebody miss-spells your name it still gets delivered.

Once you register a domain with freeparking, you're given access to a 'control panel' that allows you to configure how email is treated.  I seem to remember it's pretty easy but, annoyingly, their site seems to be running awfully slow for me today so I can't be more specific.

There's several other providers competing with freeparking, and they're not necessarily the best.  I stick with them on the basis of 'better the devil you know' and, in any case, my experience has always been good and the cost always affordable, if not quite the cheapest.

BTW,  I've thought of yet another advantage... you can choose a domain name that is easy for you to remember, and also more meaningful to friends & family, so it's easier for them to remember too.


Title: Re: Keeping email address when changing ISP
Post by: BritBrat on February 26, 2010, 01:43:42 PM
I have my domain set up like this at 1&1 *@maydomainname.co.uk

Then say I sign up to amazon I can use the Email amazon@maydomainname.co.uk then in outlook I can make a rule to put it into a Amazon folder.

Then Emails do not get lost amongst the spam and if that address starts being used by letsparty.com I know who gave them the address.

kapt69,

I learnt a long time ago not to be scared to try things on computers if you don't try you don't learn anything.

If you follow the instructions I gave and they work come back and I will show you how to set the dialup account up, it is all really easy.

That is if you have a modem on computer, if it is a desktop it may not have but most laptops do.
Title: Re: Keeping email address when changing ISP
Post by: risk_reversal on February 27, 2010, 11:11:14 AM
Quote
sevenlayermuddle said:
One more thing occurred to me re private domains...  With a .com domain name the registrant's full contact name & address are in full public view via the 'whois' servers.  With a .co.uk name, private (non-trading) registrant's can opt not to disclose their address.

Strictly speaking not completely accurate. I have several .com domain names which all have Private Registrations with end result that if you did a whois search the only details available would be those of the Proxy as per below.

http://www.domainsbyproxy.com/popup/whoisexample.aspx?app%5Fhdr=0&ci=5165

Similarly, I have a .net domain name and that also has a Private Registration.

Years ago when I registered my first domain name, the only company which I found that provided this service was GoDaddy. I have yet to run across another one.

Not all TLDs can be registered as private and I vaguely seem to recall that .co.uk was an exception.

Good Luck
Title: Re: Keeping email address when changing ISP
Post by: sevenlayermuddle on February 27, 2010, 12:01:37 PM
I have several .com domain names which all have Private Registrations with end result that if you did a whois search the only details available would be those of the Proxy as per below.

http://www.domainsbyproxy.com/popup/whoisexample.aspx?app%5Fhdr=0&ci=5165

That's interesting.  Does it add much to the cost?
Title: Re: Keeping email address when changing ISP
Post by: risk_reversal on February 27, 2010, 12:44:52 PM
Quote
sevenlayermuddle said:
That's interesting.  Does it add much to the cost?

About $8.50cts a year per domain name ie £5. The actual amount will be on the GoDaddy site.

Personally, I think that is a small [fair] price to pay to prevent your personal details from being plastered all over the web where any Tom, Dick, Harry, or Mr Wong can see them.

Good Luck
Title: Re: Keeping email address when changing ISP
Post by: sevenlayermuddle on February 27, 2010, 01:36:34 PM
TBH, I've never really worried about it, I've a few .coms and never had any problems that were attributable to domain registration.

The other thing that would worry me is that I'd be placing a lot of trust in 'domainsbyproxy'.  Suppose my domain name became of some value, how easy would it be for them to sell my domain to somebody else?  I assume that would be illegal, breach of contract etc.,  but people do sometimes break the law and it can be very difficult and expensive to get anything done about it. 

I see there's no shortage of recommendations, and reassurances about their business integrity and legitimacy, but that can change.  Not that many years ago for example, most people would probably have held google in high esteem, these days well..  I'm not so sure.

But I am definitely interested, and will look into it further next time I want  to register a .com.  Thanks for pointing it out.
Title: Re: Keeping email address when changing ISP
Post by: risk_reversal on February 27, 2010, 02:09:49 PM
Quote
sevenlayermuddle said:
The other thing that would worry me is that I'd be placing a lot of trust in 'domainsbyproxy'.

A point which I also considered at the time. My fears where allayed for the following reasons. Firstly, I discovered that Domains by Proxy was/is in fact owned by GoDaddy and secondly, friends of mine in the U.S reported that they had only ever heard good things being said of GoDaddy and that they were/are a reputable company.

Personally, I feel comfortable with this arrangement even with the knowledge that a couple of my domain names have a small (and not insignificant) dollar value attached to them. 

In any case food for thought.

Good Luck
Title: Re: Keeping email address when changing ISP
Post by: oldfogy on February 27, 2010, 02:51:05 PM
Not sure if I may of missed it, but you could also "mass email" by replying to all the emails you have received even though they may not be in your address book.

If using Outlook/Outlook Express, just open the folder and select "Reply to All" that way you only need to create one short message advising everyone of your new address.
Obviously anyone who does not need it will just disregard it but it is by far the easiest way.

If there are very many, then you may need to select say only 20 - 30 at any one time.
Title: Re: Keeping email address when changing ISP
Post by: kapt69 on February 28, 2010, 10:45:45 AM
Hi Folks
Just a note to say thanks for all the info.
I haven't given up - just taking time to absorb and look into it all.
K
Title: Re: Keeping email address when changing ISP
Post by: BritBrat on February 28, 2010, 01:58:16 PM
Have you tried making a dial up account using your broadband user name and password, it may not work but you have nothing to lose.

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Disable Modem or delete account after so it can't be used without your knowledge.

Email settings:
SMTP_Server=smtp.orangehome.co.uk
POP_Server=pop.orangehome.co.uk