Squadron Email Accounts

[mynetdude]

If I understood right, gmail offers pop but I think that is only with google apps so I am not sure however if gmail offers pop standalone then you don't need to use gmail as the main client

[Eclipse]

No - yo can POP gmail, but I don't need that, I was hoping to use gmail as my client, but as I said, don't like the view paradigm.

[mynetdude]

I got this pretty cool service and hope to use it for my squadron's email needs. I've been using it all day today, it is so neat! Costs pennies!

I now use fusemail, you can sync calendar, tasks, notes, journals and stuff with Outlook 2003/2007, Outlook Express, Thunderbird, etc as long as you can pop or IMAP it you're good to go.

one thing though about fusemail I like is it is $1 per mailbox and $1 per GB and my initial account came with 10 mailboxes and 2GB (you get charged for 1GB and they give you one free initially, so you end up with 2GB to start).

I can add unlimited number domains, aliases, mailboxes, etc the only thing that costs me is mailboxes and GB space (they don't meter/charge for bandwidth).  This is sortof like using gmail/google apps as they are free (google apps for nonprofit is free).

fusemail lets me do file sharing and instant messaging and so forth which is pretty nice actually.

[PhoenixRisen]

Does anybody have experience getting some sort of subdomain on the cap.gov domain to use for squadron email addresses and/or a website?

Although we have been using wiwgcap.org for our URL since 2005, Wisconsin Wing returned to wiwg.cap.gov for mail accounts, hosted by Google Apps.  Currently, there are just personal email accounts for any WIWG member wishing for one, however there's no reason it couldn't be used for email lists and calendars.  While WIWG opts for a Web host with more robust features, simple websites using Googlepages can be created as well.

Does GoogleApps allow for a third-level domain (I believe that's what it would be called - http://sqxxx.cawg.cap.gov) to utilize the e-mail feature?  I'm taking position as my new CAP School Program squadron's webmaster, and was just curious about this.  Do you need to have access to the physical server, too? 

[Eclipse]

What you're referring to is a "subdomain" - not sure whether or not they support that, however
and this is a >WAG<, I doubt that you're going to be able to host a .gov domain on Google because
they likely won't pass the security scans, and the ad-based-model probably breaks the regs, since you can't control what will actually be on the page.

[mynetdude]

What you're referreind got is a "subdomin" - not sure whether or not they support that, however
and this is a >WAG<, I doubt that you're going to be able to host a .gov domain on Google because
they likely won't pass the security scans, and the ad-based-model probably breaks the regs, since you can't control what will actually be on the page.

I don't think there are any ads if you do it properly, register as a nonprofit and I believe the ads go away.  It is only the free version that has ads.

[PhoenixRisen]

What you're referring to is a "subdomain" - not sure whether or not they support that, however
and this is a >WAG<, I doubt that you're going to be able to host a .gov domain on Google because
they likely won't pass the security scans, and the ad-based-model probably breaks the regs, since you can't control what will actually be on the page.

Aparrently there aren't any ad's when you register under non-profit / educational use.

I'll find out, I guess, when I get my squadron's website up and situated.

[BK]

Has anyone tried getting squadron email accounts hosted somewhere for free or cheap?

Now I have 425PAO@GMAIL.COM and our cc has PENSACOLACAPCC@GMAIL.COM but what I'm looking for is more like t.gardiner@pensacolacompsqd.com

Thanks!

Did you know that every squadron in CAP has a free earthlink account?  Each account comes with 9 additional email addresses that could be used for staff.  The squadron account is paid for by National.  This has been in-place for two (or more) years.  Most accounts have been de-activated due to non-use.

All accounts start with the region abbreviation, the wing abbreviation, and the squadron number@earthlink.net (ncrnd021@earthlink.net).

If you want to get your account re-activated, contact the IT shop at National.  They will turn it back on and send you a new password.  After that, set up your staff accounts as you like.

Just though you all would like to know.

Bill Kay, Major, CAP
NCR Rep to the National IT Committee

[gistek]

Great minds think alike. Here's some more (and some repeated) info on the free accounts.

Earthlink has offered one free account to each CAP unit. The e-mail format is Region Abbreviation, Wing abbreviation, and unit charter number.

For instance, a Pennsylvania unit with a charter number of 999 would be nerpa999@earthlink.net

This account provides up to 8 e-mail names and each e-mail name is entitled to 100 megs web hosting. This means you can create a group of linked sites up to 800 megs.

The last time I needed assistance with a CAP earthlink account I e-mailed K. Jacob (kjacoba@cap.gov) and M. Yost (myost@cap.gov) and they helped me reactivate dormant accounts.

You can purchase a domain name for as little as $10.00 per year. Your domain manager will permit you to redirect the domain name to your webhost. Most even permit you to have your domain in the url rather than your webhost address. (It's nice to have "http://www.mycapsquadron.org" instead of "http://home.earthlink.net/~nerpa999/" in the navigation bar.

There are also companies that offer free subdomains. With a subdomain you have to host your main page (index.html) on their service and will probably have to put up with advertising, but you can set this up as a gateway site and link to your (free, no ads) earthlink hosted pages from this page.

At this point in time, I recommend Google and Bravenet for subdomains. I have removed Yahoo from my recommended list due to their recent practice of placing ads that could be considered objectionable on sites I manage through their service.

One big advantage I have found using the earthlink multi-site is the ability to have subsites managed by cadets. Currently I have one cadet managing a Cadet Services website and another developing a squadron scrapbook site. I provide oversight on these sites, but the design, development, and basic management is the cadet's duty. - Also, this can count as an activity for cadets who are unable to participate in non-meeting activities. (possibly due to custody/visitation terms)

I have asked, via my chain of command, for clarification of the ads on ad-supported sites, such as yahoo, google, and bravenet subdomains and services. I submitted the interpretation that these advertisers are providing support to CAP by assisting webservice providers to offer free, ad supported services for organizations. The last I heard was that the query has been referred at least as far as my region, and it was implied that IT and Legal on the national level would both be involved in studying this matter. In other words, don't expect a quick turn-around on this issue.