How do I get email with SurfBest?

There are several options available for you to send and receive email. The simplest method is using our Web-Based E-Postal feature. It is already configured for you; simply visit our website, enter your email address and password, and a web-page will open that shows you all your messages, and allows you to reply to them or compose new email. Unfortunately, the E-Postal feature does not yet provide folders or an address book.

How do I activate/setup another email?

Why does it keep asking for my username or password?

Chances are, you've entered your login id (starting with sfb, followed by several numbers) instead of your email address.
When logging in to your email, you need to enter the full email address, including the '@surfbest.net'. Further, be aware, all email addresses with SurfBest must be in all lowercase.
If that still doesn't work, write down the error message you're getting (if any) and contact support, either via our secure tech support form, here, or via our tech support number, (713) 952-5666. 
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Why can I receive but not send email?

Most likely, you've got the incorrect outgoing (SMTP) server configured in your email program. Here are a list of the SMTP servers for our networks. 
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How do I check my Non-SurfBest Email? If you've been using a POP3 email program like Outlook Express or Netscape Communicator, you can still use that to check your other email accounts. The only thing you'll need to change is the Outgoing (SMTP) server.

When connected to the Internet via SurfBest, your SMTP server must be set to SurfBest's. This is the only setting that will work when connected via SurfBest. When connected to the Internet via another service, then you have to use their SMTP setting. This does not affect your email address, incoming mail or the reply address used when one automatically responds to your emails.

To clarify - when connected through SurfBest, use the SurfBest SMTP server for your email. If connected through another service, say a cable modem, you must use their SMTP server.
This is true regardless of what email you're using; SurfBest's or the Cable companies - SMTP servers are specific to the service you connect through, not the email service you're sending through.

Below are links to the most common email programs. Follow the instructions for them, but substitute your other email provider's information for everything EXCEPT the SMTP server -- use SurfBest's.
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Check the error message in the message that was returned to you. The email that bounced back to you should have details indicating the problem.

Error messages such as "recipient or address unknown" or "invalid recipient or address" this means that the email address does not exist with that mail system; chances are you have a typo, or the email address simply isn't correct.

If the error message says "relay access denied" this indicates that you're trying to send email through the wrong Outgoing (SMTP) server. For instance, if you are connected to the Internet with SurfBest, but are trying to send Yahoo email, you'll need to use the SurfBest outgoing server, not the Yahoo outgoing server. Generally, a good rule of thumb is to always use the SMTP server of the Internet Provider. If you're connected with Cable Internet, use the Cable Internet Provider's SMTP server, etc. If you've recently switched networks with SurfBest, it may have been necessary to change a setting in your email. Click here to find out more about those changes.

Lastly, if you see "we do not support spam" or similar error messages, the service that manages that email may be blocking email from SurfBest. Spam, or unsolicited mass mailings, are becoming an increasing problem with ISP's and mail providers worldwide. The easiest, and most effective way to combat spam is to block the email systems and services that are known for being sources of spam. Many services are available that exist purely to track and publish known spammers or spamming 'domains'. If you're unable to send massages to a given email address, it's quite possible that this email, or the entire email system, is being blocked by SurfBest, or is blocking SurfBest. Usually, it's not too difficult to have this block removed. You can let our support staff know of the situation by forwarding the error you receive to surfbest@surfbest.net. 
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Some programs don't work well with multiple accounts, like Netscape 4.x.
We recommend using Outlook Express, as it's the easiest to configure for multiple accounts.

If you're using Outlook Express, you can setup a second "Identity".
This allows you to switch between mail accounts, keeping them completely separate.
In Outlook Express, click File, Identities, Add New Identity.
It will prompt for a name for the identity, and a few other pieces of information. Once you're done, it will ask you if you want to switch to that identity now. Click yes, and then once Outlook has reloaded, setup your mail account like you normally would:
To Setup an email account in Outlook Express:
Tools, Accounts, Mail, Add, Mail
Display Name: YOUR NAME
Email address: EMAIL@surfbest.net (including the '@surfbest.net' Example: joe@surfbest.net)
Incoming Mail: pop.surfbest.net
Outgoing mail:  see chart
Account name: EMAIL@surfbest.net (including the '@surfbest.net' Example: joe@surfbest.net)
Password: PASSWORD make sure the 'Remember Password' IS checked
Click finish
Highlight the one just completed (called YOUR NAME) and click on 'Set as Default'

Then, click File, Switch Identity, and you should see two options. One will say "Main Identity" or something similar. The other will the the one you just created. Switch to the main one. Now, click Tools, Accounts, highlight your 2nd email account, and click remove. Now you have your 1st email setup under one identity, and your 2nd setup under a different identity. Simply switch between identities to manage your two mail accounts.
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SurfBest provides a great and easy way to check your email when away from your computer.

If you go to our main web-page, www.surfbest.net, and click on 'Get your Email Now', you can access your email, just by entering your email address and password.

Email Address: This is your COMPLETE SurfBest email address, such as: joe@surfbest.net
Password: This is your SurfBest password.
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In Outlook Express,

Click Tools and then Options
Check the checkbox referring to check messages every ___ minutes.
We recommend filling the blank in with 5 to have mail checked every 5 minutes. 
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Our provider's continued efforts to help eliminate spam, certain limitations are in place to prevent mass mailings. Email limitations are as follows:

200 Total Emails per hour
25 Recipients in any one email -- Note, each recipient will receive an individual email, which goes towards the 200 total.
5 MB file attachments (though it is not recommended to go much higher than 2 MB)
Mailbox size limit: 100 MB

Note: Any emails that are more than 90 days old (and left on our servers -- not downloaded via an email program like Outlook Express) are deleted. 
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Your reply address should generally be the same as your regular address, though if you prefer people to write back to an address different from the one you're sending from, you can change this.

Here is how to fix that:
Open Outlook Express
Click Tools, Accounts, Mail, and highlight SurfBest
Click Properties
In the Reply-To box, enter email@surfbest.net (email being your actual email)
Click OK,
Click Close
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In Outlook Express:
Tools, Accounts, Mail, Add, Mail
Display Name: Your Name
Email address: email@surfbest.net (with the '@surfbest.net' Example: joe@surfbest.net)
Incoming Mail: pop.surfbest.net
Outgoing mail: See listing below for appropriate server settings
Account name: email@surfbest.net (with the '@surfbest.net' Example: joe@surfbest.net)
Password: your password - make sure the 'Remember Password' IS checked
Click finish
Highlight the one just completed (called "Your Name") and click on 'Set as Default'

Open Outlook 2000.
Click Tools, and then Accounts. (You may see it listed as Services, if so, choose properties)
That will open a window labeled "Internet Accounts".
Click on the Mail tab. Here you will see any old mail accounts you have setup already.
If you see any accounts here that you're not using, click on them, and then click "Remove".
To add your SurfBest account, click "Add" and then "Mail".
You will be asked for the name people will see when they receive mail from you.
This can be most anything you want. First and last name is common. Once done, hit next.
The next screen will ask for your email address. (Remember to include the "@surfbest.net" at the
end of it )
Next, enter the mail servers, as listed below, and hit next.
Hit next once you've got that information entered.
The username here will be your full email address again. We recommend checking "Remember
password". Enter your password also, and then hit next.
If prompted on how you wish to connect, choose "I will establish my Internet connection manually,
and press Next.
That's it, you're done! Click Finish.
Now, you can just click "Close" on the "Internet Accounts" screen, connect to the net, and you're
ready to send and receive mail.

How do I set up Outlook XP? 

In Outlook XP, click on "Tools" and then "E-mail Accounts.
In the window that pops up, choose "Add a new e-mail account" and click next.
Next, choose "POP3" and press next again.
Enter in the appropriate information, using your email address and name. See below for the appropriate server settings.
That's it, you're done! Click Finish.

To Setup Netscape 4.x:
Edit, Preferences, Identity
Your Name: (as you want other people to see it)
Email Address: surfbest.net-email    (Example: joe@surfbest.net would be surfbest.net-joe)
Mail Servers, Add
Server Name: pop.surfbest.net
Server Type: POP3 Server
Username: Your Full Email Address
Mail Servers
Outgoing mail (SMTP) Server: see chart
Outgoing mail server name: Full Email address    (Example: joe@surfbest.net)

To Setup Netscape 6.x or 7:
In Netscape choose Tasks on the menu bar, then choose Mail. In the Inbox, choose Edit, then Mail/News Account Settings.
To Create a New Account:
Click, New Account.
Choose ISP or e-mail provider, and click Next.
Type your name in the first box titled “Your Name” and then enter in your full e-mail address in the box titled “E-mail Address”. Click Next
In the Incoming Mail Server box, make sure POP is selected and type in: pop.surfbest.net and Click Next.
When prompted to enter in your “Username, provided by your ISP”, type in your full e-mail address. Click Next.
The next screen is where you will name the account. You can name it whatever you want – “Joe’s Surfbest Account” Click Next.
Verify that all of the information is correct and click Finish.
The Account Settings screen should still be open.
At this point, highlight Outgoing Server (SMTP.)
Make sure that the account name is your full e-mail address and that the SMTP server is set to the appropriate settings (see chart)
Click OK to close the Settings screen.
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In Eudora, Click Tools, then Options
Click the Getting Started tab
For Real Name, enter your name
Return address: email@surfbest.net (email being your email)
Incoming Mail Server: pop.surfbest.net
Login Name: email@surfbest.net (email being your email)
Outgoing SMTP Server: (see below)
Click the Checking Mail tab
Incoming Mail server: pop.surfbest.net
Login name: email@surfbest.net (email being your email)
On the Sending Mail tab: Return address: email@surfbest.net (email being your email)
SMTP server: (see below)
The three boxes there should be Checked: Allow Authentication, Immediate Send, and Send on Check
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(Note, these instructions are specific for version 5, but should be similar to other versions)

Open up Opera, and click on the E-mail drop-down at the top of the screen.
Click on New Account.
In the Account tab, type in the account name, such as "Suzie's E-mail"
Type your Name in the Name box, and your e-mail address in the E-mail address box.
Also put your e-mail address in the Reply To: box.
Click the Servers tab.

Incoming Server Settings:
For the Incoming Server, type in pop.surfbest.net (all lowercase)
For the login, you'll want to type in your full e-mail address (ex: suzieq@surfbest.net)
Type your password in the password box; remember the password is case sensitive.
Leave the protocol at POP3 and the Port at 110.

Outgoing Server Settings:
For the Outgoing Server, see chart

Click OK, and your e-mail is configured using Opera.

Note that even if you are using email from a different service, you need to use the SurfBest SMTP server. You'll set the incoming server to that of your other mail service provider.

A Quick Tip: You can press and hold the Alt key, and then press the K key to check e-mail while in Opera.
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