Want to get off gmail? A possible Behind the Black option
On July 3rd I put out a feeler to see if there was sufficient interest among my readers for providing a private email service through Behind the Black. As I wrote then:
I am exploring the possibility of offering email services through my server for those who want to get off of gmail and google. However, before such a service can be offered, we need to know the amount of interest there might be. The demand will effect the cost, which means I can’t even give you an idea of what we might charge.
Regardless, if you are interested in having “your.name@behindtheblack.com” as your email address, please say so in the comments. There will be no obligations, by you or me or my server, but the response however will help us decide if we can do it.
And if we can do it, and many people sign on, we will then be taking the proper free enterprise approach for combating the corrupt business practices of giants like Google. Our federal government might still act to break Google up, but I think it would be far better if the free market did the job instead.
About a dozen people expressed interest at that time. In discussing this with my server, we both agreed that this is too small a number for us to begin this service. However, we are also both quite willing to do this, if the initial number of subscribers was higher.
I am therefore posting this feeler out again. If you expressed a desire to sign up as a comment in the previous post, then there is no need to comment again. However, if you did not comment previously, and think this service will be what you want, then post a comment here saying so.
It would also help me to get an idea what you would be willing to pay per month for this service. For this information I request everyone comment, including those who commented earlier.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The print edition can be purchased at Amazon. from any other book seller, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit.
The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
On July 3rd I put out a feeler to see if there was sufficient interest among my readers for providing a private email service through Behind the Black. As I wrote then:
I am exploring the possibility of offering email services through my server for those who want to get off of gmail and google. However, before such a service can be offered, we need to know the amount of interest there might be. The demand will effect the cost, which means I can’t even give you an idea of what we might charge.
Regardless, if you are interested in having “your.name@behindtheblack.com” as your email address, please say so in the comments. There will be no obligations, by you or me or my server, but the response however will help us decide if we can do it.
And if we can do it, and many people sign on, we will then be taking the proper free enterprise approach for combating the corrupt business practices of giants like Google. Our federal government might still act to break Google up, but I think it would be far better if the free market did the job instead.
About a dozen people expressed interest at that time. In discussing this with my server, we both agreed that this is too small a number for us to begin this service. However, we are also both quite willing to do this, if the initial number of subscribers was higher.
I am therefore posting this feeler out again. If you expressed a desire to sign up as a comment in the previous post, then there is no need to comment again. However, if you did not comment previously, and think this service will be what you want, then post a comment here saying so.
It would also help me to get an idea what you would be willing to pay per month for this service. For this information I request everyone comment, including those who commented earlier.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The print edition can be purchased at Amazon. from any other book seller, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
Defi9nitely AM interested
I am on the fence. I have had gmail for many years now and while google has turned evil, it is convenient and probably will still be there 5-10 years down the road. Not saying you won’t be, but as an individual life events that cause disruption are a higher risk.
I do pay $2 /mo for the extra storage which I am not sure you have available.
I previously expressed an interest in BTB mail. I’d pay ten bucks a month.
Jerry Greenwood
Oracle, AZ
I, too, am interested, and willing to commit a reasonable portion of my fixed income, for as many revolutions of the sun that I need email.
If I wake up tomorrow.
I currently pay ~$40/year or ~$3.50/month for e-mail.
No ads, no trackers, unlimited aliases that all go to the same inbox, and privacy oriented.
Happy with current provider, but I would consider a @behindtheblack.com address, because it sounds cool & to support the site.
I’m interested too.
I will support it!
Great idea
Saw this today, don’t know how many people you’ll get but I can post it a few places if you’d like. Definitely considering getting off gmail as I hate the upgrades that supposedly made it better. These are just petty things but it shouldn’t be a nuisance to read email!
Ruth: Sure, pass it around. Note however that I am only gathering information right now. No commitments, but the more interest we get them likely we will do it.
I am still begging people to give me an idea how much they would be willing to pay, per month, per year. It will also help us decide if we can make this happen.
I’m on board [with a small fee]
I started using gmail before Google went all, well, Google. I’d be interested in an alternate service, especially if the proceeds can help support the website.
As for pricing, I’d be fine with something in the range of $5/month.
I only have a gmail account for my google business as you need one to have a google account. I am weary of third party emails like the one you are thinking about setting up. About 10 years ago I switched all my email over to one of those and after about a year or two, they decided to end the service for reasons unknown. Then I had to change all my email addresses with every one I was in contact with and did business with. It was a pain. Now I just stick with Comcast as I don’t think they are going anywhere.
The availability of FREE email providers remains a strong deterrent to paying for things you can get for free:
https://www.technorms.com/14035/10-free-email-service-providers
Here is a list of the best PAID for email clients, and these remain strong competition to BTB.com. Also gives BTW an idea of what services to offer to be competitive:
https://www.formget.com/paid-email-service-providers/