I've upgraded to a new machine with Vista Premium and I'm disappointed to find that I can't set up Windows Mail to pick up my Hotmail. I've used Hotmail for years (and I don't really want to change to another account) and really liked being able to manage my different email accounts via a single program, Outlook Express. Is it really just about Microsoft flogging advertising space or are there benefits that I'm not yet aware of that mean I should stick it out? Gavin Rand
Microsoft does have a long-term strategy, and hopes the future belongs to WLMd (Windows Live Mail Desktop). Briefly, the first stage of popular email used desktop programs such as Eudora and Outlook, while the second stage brought web-based services such as Hotmail. The third stage could be hybrid programs that have both an online and a desktop (or phone) component. That way you get both the speed and power of a standalone program, including off-line working, with the convenience of a web-based system.
In Microsoft's case, the online component is Windows Live Hotmail, which is similar to Google's Gmail. The desktop component is WLMd, which has been available in a public beta version since last July. The Windows Mail program, which has replaced Outlook Express in Vista, is a subset of WLMd. Eventually I expect most Windows users will have WLMd installed.
Like most Microsoft Windows programs nowadays, WLMd is being developed with public feedback. You can get up to speed by reading the More Than Mail blog (http://morethanmail.spaces.live.com/) run by the program manager, Tanja Fournier. It's good stuff.
However, my current recommendation for those willing and able to change is to use Gmail with Thunderbird, the companion program to Firefox. Google doesn't charge for POP3 access (eg via Outlook Express) and lets you use your own domain name.
