Just about everybody who uses a computer will, at one point or another, be away from their personal home computer or laptop. Considering the advances of modern technology specifically in smartphones with web browsers, users can access their email at any time or any place provided they have a service signal. Those without these phones are restricted to using another computer to access their email.

Remote Email Access

Email accounts use a couple of different platforms that they operate from. This factor will determine the way you retrieve your email while away from home on another computer. The most popular platform is browser base webmail, which is typically utilized by free account systems such as Yahoo or Gmail. Email providers such as Outlook Express utilize POP3/IMAP4, which is designed for those who prefer a more secure email account. Google-based Gmail currently offers both platforms for free, whereas Yahoo and other free accounts only offer a browser base web mail with paid POP3 accounts available. The email provider you currently use will dictate your options for email retrieval while away from home on another computer. Those using free email accounts such as Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail or Microsoft will have no problem simply logging onto the website and retrieving their email by entering their user name and password just as they normally would while at home. For email providers such such as Outlook Express a different method must be taken for remote email retrieval. Outlook Express is normally installed by default on all Microsoft Windows PCs. If you use a MAC platform then you most likely have a default mail setting with MAC.com and the same process used with Outlook Express can be followed for retrieval away from home, however you must be using another MAC to access the email. For remote email access, the Outlook Express platform and software must be installed on the computer that you will be using to access your email account. You will have to create a new account on the computer using Outlook Express and sign into your email account. If you will not be using the away computer frequently, use advance setting, which will give you the option of retrieving your email when you return to your home. For security purposes, if you have to create a new account to view your email, it is best if you remove the account before you return home.

Source:

OE Updates: Remote Email Access

Computing: Viewing Email on Another Computer

SCSCC: Email From Another Computer