Registration barred to hotmail users?

[Ian]

I've demonstrated PTE at various events recently, and always give the audience details of how to download the software etc. Several people have contacted me this week to say that they've used the trial version okay, but when they try to register for the full version they are blocked from doing so because their e-mail addresses are from web-based systems like Hotmail and Yahoo. A couple of them were a bit aggrieved as they use these addresses to trade with lots of other vendors, and don't understand why they are being barred.

I've not come across this as a problem before - can anyone verify that this is happening, and if so is it a recent change of policy?

Regards

Ian

[keffs]

I can't recall if it is restricted here, but it is reasonably common. These types of addresses are used for all sorts of nasty things.

Steve

[Ken Cox]

Ian the issue of hotmail restrictions is a MS thing that they introduced a few months back

iwill see if i can locate more info

ken

[Ken Cox]

from woody's wee 2.08

From: Woody's EMAIL Essentials [wow-robot@woodyswatch.com]

Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2004 11:33 AM

To: pbyk@sympatico.ca

Subject: WEE #2.08 - Hotmail and Outlook changes

Woody's EMAIL Essentials

Make electronic mail work better for you

Hotmail Changes | Outlook update | Capitals or not?

30 September 2004 - Vol. 2 No.8

quote snipped

There’s an important change to Microsoft’s Hotmail service coming which will effect people who use Hotmail with Outlook or Outlook Express.

Outlook 2002 or 2003 and Outlook Express have a feature to let you receive and send email via your Hotmail account but using the software interface instead of the usual web browser method. This is a handy way to store past messages offline or to compose long messages. Setting it up is fairly easy, just create a new email account in the software and choose the ‘HTTP’ or Hotmail option. Though it is labeled ‘HTTP’ in the software it actually uses an extension of the web protocol called WebDAV to communicate with the Hotmail servers.

From now on, only paid subscribers will be able to access their Hotmail accounts via Outlook or Outlook Express. Microsoft says that WebDAV features have been abused by spammers and they need to clamp down on access.

If you’ve been using WebDAV to access your email with an external email client then you have some time to decide what to do. Microsoft says that people who have been using the feature will be given continued access until March 2005.

The paid options are to either join MSN Premium or Hotmail Plus ($19.95 a year). While Microsoft is ‘selling’ this as a anti-spam measure there’s no doubt it may help convert people to paying customers.

It’s just as well this change is getting mentions in various media because you’d never know from looking on the Microsoft sites. There’s nothing on the Microsoft web site devoted to press announcements nor on the MSN or Hotmail sites – even the online help and account policies haven’t been updated.

This change is a sad but alas necessary thing. While it probably won’t make a difference to the amount of spam we all get, it will make things a bit harder for the bad guys.

ken