I use the light version that they suggest for dial up users. Have switched to the more elaborate version a couple of times but havent really liked the user interface. I have a fast connection so I cant really tell if the fancier version really slows you down.

I have been a hotmail user with the same account since I think before microsoft aquired them back in the mid to later 90's.

I recently got the Windows Live Hotmail...and like it...usually. It is possible to switch back and forth between the 2 so you can use whicheever you prefer at the moment.

I think it is about 6 of one, and half a dozen of the other.

(the other) Sue

I have used hotmail as my primary email since 97, I started out as an msn dial up customer and got the hotmail and msn email addies, I use the hotmail daily. I am now with Verizon fios which also has msn so I still have all my msn addies. I also have the msn browser which I love to use to view my hotmail. I have not tried the hotmail live since I like the one I have so well.

My other fave is using gmail through mozilla thunderbird. Works super good and no ads at all plus all the good points of gmail and the ease of thunderbird and of course there are add ons for thunderbird just like for firefox.

If you already have a gmail account I would say try downloading and setting up thunderbird to get your gmail and use it. The directions to do that are on the gmail site under the settings tab, using Pop and Imap, thunderbird's new version is supposed to be set up following the imap directions. It is very simple. You can then have your full address book and it will fetch all your mail for you.

Here is a link that might be useful: thunderbird

I DL'd Windows Live Mail which used my Hotmail name and password when I clicked to DL.

I STILL can log into Hotmail too but Windows Live Mail has my Hotmail account, Gmail account and OE account right there to click to receive the mail from those accounts without having to log out and go to those accounts separately. Lovely!

Here is a link that might be useful: Windows Live

I think Hotmail is all I would want. I really don't need or want too many gimmicks to keep up with.

I have Thunderbird2 as my default mail and I'm very pleased with it.

Thanks, everybody.

Sue

sue thunderbird will fetch your mail from that yahoo account also which would allow you to not be bothered by how the yahoo looks.

I read both gmail and hotmail with thunderbird. You need both the webmail and webmail - hotmail extensions. I just like the thunderbird interface and also like having all my email accounts with the same interface.