What's New
What's New:
Here I'll attempt to keep you informed of
UseBestMail
Developments. See bottom of this page for upgrade
instructions.
Saturday
6/22/08 - Still Here & Kicking
Yes,
UseBestMail is still in operation. The program still works with
most email programs, but the automatic installation has gotten behind,
so you'll probably have to use the manual mode. This works with
every email client and is really easy and quick if you follow the
instuctions provided.
I and others have been using UseBestMail for several years now. We have NO spam.
So it works as advertised. But as a business it has been a
bust. Thanks to Communist Chinese piracy I've spent a lot of
money on this and gotten not a dime's worth of return on my
investment. So if you are Communist Chinese and reading this --
Go To Hell.
If you're serious about trying out my product, you should try to
install it. If necessary, call me at 520-822-9920. I'll
even help you install it. But if you're using Vista you're on
your own.
Regards,
Martel Firing
Saturday
8/27/05- Build 1.0.5.3 released
This
build fixes a bug introduced in 1.0.5.2. Sorry if it bit you.
Monday
8/23/05- Version 1.0.5.2 released
Version
1.0.5.2 implements a performance speedup which you should notice
if you have a large amount of spam and/or email on your server, or if
you check your mail infrequently.
Friday
8/19/05 -- Mystery solved - Page Becomes Pseudo-Blog - Thanks for
Tuning In.
Thanks
to Mr. Pedersen in Bodo the mystery is solved. Seems he was
running a web page change checker and was courteous enough to contact
me. The web log analyzer thought his visits represented multiple
visitors. So with a couple of tweeks of the log reports Norway no
longer represents a major proportion of the traffic to my site, and
thanks to him I also found another change checker and made the same
adjustment for it. Now if I could only do something about those
Chinese warez sites....
People, if you're reading this pseudo-blog, why not try out the
software and give me some honest feedback. I've been at this
nearly two years. People download but nobody writes to complain,
complement, tell me I'm crazy, or just tell me their experiences -- and
nobody buys. Frankly, I'm so frustrated that I'm considering
pulling the plug and becoming a vacuum cleaner salesman instead.
At least the housewives will probably tell me whether or not my vacuum
cleaner works (sucks? I hate that term.) and why.
Thursday
8/18/05 -- Attention Bodo Norway - Fastlinge network
For
some months now this page has been visited by a number, up to 30
visitors per day, from Bodo Norway (sorry I don't know how to do the
accent over the second o.) Is there something I can do for
you? What do you find so interesting on this page? I'm
flattered by the interest but really puzzled too. You're welcome
to visit any time, but will someone send me an email and clue me in?
Friday
5/13/05 -- Minor Tweek
Build 1.0.5.2 -- opened more
configuration choices for non-registered. Made registration
enable choices immediately.
Tuesday 5/10/05 -- Major Update
Build
1.0.5.1 was released today. There are several changes and
improvements:
1) The configuration choices for new, non-registered users have been
simplified with a "Choices" tab in Configure.
2) On first installation a Tutorial is presented. It can
also be accessed from the START>UseBestMail>Tutorial menu.
3) The timed expiration of spam emails on the server now works
without the challenge/response being enabled.
4) A Bypass feature has been added to the configuration.
Friday
4/29/05 -- Site Moved -- Painfully!
The server has been moved to a new
site. I'm sorry to say it took a lot longer to get everything up
and running than expected. One doesn't do this often, and most
don't do it ever, so I wasn't aware of how long it would would take for
the new internet address to propagate out into the world -- up to 48
hours. Sorry for the inconvenience and I hope this never has to
be done again. The move was made to preserve good service so it
should pay off in the long run.
Friday
4/22/05 -- Preparation for Move - Important **MOVE DATE CONFIRMED*
Build 1.0.4.2 contains a patch which
prevents our impending server move from affecting email stamp
validation. The move is
tentatively scheduled for Thursday, 4/28 at 9:00 AM Pacific Time.
An outage of up to two hours can be expected during the move, but it
might be shorter or longer, so please be patient.
Thursday
4/7/05- Major Update & Notice
Build 1.0.4.1
introduces a new feature, an Announcement that can be used to notify
UseBestMail users about important developments. The announcement
will be found in the menu and will execute automatically on
Auto-Update. Please check your Announcement immediately after
downloading this version. The UseBestMail server will be moved on
the last week of April. An outage of up to several hours is
possible. The notices will keep you informed. Please update
often, I suggest once per day. If you select the silent option
this will hardly be noticable and I'll use the Announcement feature
very sparingly.
Wednesday 4/6/05
Build
1.0.3.7 Minor fix for unreliable communications situation.
Updates to updater in Ebay Edition.
Sunday 3/27/05
Version 1.0.3.6 --
Longstanding problem with Outlook installation resolved. All
Outlook accounts should now be recognized for automatic
installation. Fixed bug that caused occasional crash on some 24/7
installations.
Tuesday 3/22/05
Version 1.0.3.5 --
various fixes including flaw that prevented load on bootup in some
installations.
Saturday 3/12/05
Version 1.0.3.3 --
minor fix prevents spam from collecting
under special circumstances on
server. You may notice some additional activity for a day or two.
Thursday 3/10/05
Version 1.0.3.2 released. Adds an additional
configuration for XP/Outlook. I wish Microsoft wouldn't change
their configuration methods with each and every version. If
you've tried to install Outlook before but it failed, try this
version. There are no other changes.
Wednesday 3/9/05 - Major Revision 1.0.3.1 released
Version 1.0.3.1 released today has the
ability to be self-updated. It also has various bug fixes and
improvements including:
a. Some combinations of Outlook and XP would not
install. Now they will.
b. Expired messages would not automatically delete. This has been
fixed.
c. An option has been added to hold bad messages until expiration
instead of automatically deleting.
Upgrading to
version 1.0.3.1 is strongly recommended. You can update from the
web site without losing your settings. See the instructions at
the bottom of this page. All future updates can be automatic or
manual, your choice, and you'll also get periodic announcements within
the update module. The help file has also been revised.
Sunday 2/27/05
Build 1.0.2.10 released- Copes with change in
Thunderbird configuration.
Monday 2/21/05
Build 1.0.2.9
released - Fixes long-time problem which caused some emails that should
have been deleted to be recycled and collected on the mail server.
Wednesday 2/16/05
Build 1.0.2.8
released - Fixes problem with junk not being deleted. Mozilla
Thunderbird now supported. The windows version of Thunderbird is
now automatically installed.
Sunday 2/15/05
Build 1.0.2.7 released
- Fixes the delete function in Response Manger . Includes
optional skins missing from some earlier releases.
Thursday 2/10/05
Build 1.0.2.6
released - corrects some problems in multiple account useage and a
couple of minor bugs. Upgrade recommended.
Wednesday 2/9/05
Build 1.0.2.5
released. Under some rare circumstances UseBestMail couldn't find
Eudora email accounts. Now it can.
Tuesday 2/8/05
Version 1.0.2.4
released. Problem with program startup in some situations has
been resolved.
Thursday 2/3/05 *** MAJOR UPDATE RELEASED**
Version 1.0.2.2 released today provides a large number of subtle
improvements. But the big news is the "skinned" interface that lets you
customize how UseBestMail looks on screen. Upgrading is
strongly encouraged as I've done a lot of refining and removed a
variety of rough edges. Tell me what you think!
Wednesday 1/26/05
Build 1.0.1.19 uploaded today works better
with slower POP servers and adds some small refinements.
Sunday 1/23/05
For some time there has
been a persistent problem with UseBestMail client and multiple
accounts. The problem is finally solved with build 1.0.1.17
uploaded today. A similar problem was occurring with
UseBestMailSMTP.exe, which nonetheless has been operating continuously
in our mailbox service for nearly a year. This has also been
fixed and uploaded as a new Zip file today.
Friday 1/21/05
The relentless pursuit
continues. Build 1.0.1.16 uploaded. Recommend upgrade.
Thursday 1/20/05
Never satisfied.
build 1.0.1.15 uploaded. Improved performance with multiple
accounts. Recommended upgrade.
Wednesday 1/19/05
In a constant but
illusive search for perfection build 1.0.1.14 has been uploaded.
If you're satisfied with what you have, no hurry to download this.
Tuesday 1/18/05
Version 1.0.1.13 uploaded. Under many
circumstances earlier versions wouldn't automatically install Outlook
accounts under Win-XP. Ouch! More
refinements made. Upgrade encouraged.
Sunday 1/16/05
Version 1.0.1.11
uploaded. Fixed problems with multiple accounts and strengthened
error handling. You are
encouraged to upgrade to this version.
Wednesday 1/12/05
Version 1.0.1.10
uploaded. Improved error handling by adding an E icon so automatic
updates are not interrupted. Tightened up operation with
simultaneous multiple accounts.
Monday 1/10/05
Version 1.0.1.9
uploaded. Various tweeks and fixes: a) Response Manager screen
enlarged for easier viewing, b) UTF8 subject lines decoded in Preview
-- some encondings left because almost assuredly they are spam, c)
Self-Reference code in Preview for messages containing your own address
as sender -- mostly spam and non-challengable, d) Bug
occasionally preventing editing of recruit message fixed, e) improved
handling of spam with bogus from address, f) various efficiency
improvements. Extensive testing was done with Norton Anti-virus
and everything now works fine. Be sure to turn off the Norton
Anti-Spam feature, however, since it isn't needed and may interfere.
Monday 12/27/04
UseBestMailSMTP, the
module designed for use with mail servers, has been significantly
enhanced with the addition of a forwarding capability. This lets
non-stamped or stamped mail be forwarded to another address or
domain. So for example, all properly addressed stamped mail can
be handled by one mail server and all non-stamped mail can be forwarded
to either another server or to one or more addresses designated to
receive it. In the case of UseBestMail.com, for example, we can
receive exclusively stamped mail for accounts on the server, while also
allowing non-stamped mail, such as sales or service inquiries, to be
forwarded to another address.
Friday 12/17/04
More fixes: Please use
1.0.1.3. Thanks to a helpful and observant user
some severe problems involving compatibility
with Norton Anti-Virus software were discovered and fixed.
Also, the graphic
recruitment banner now works with Outlook, which
previously wouldn't display it.
(What worked for Microsoft broke everyone else, as usual, so this is
backed out. Darn!) A
web page to discuss compatibility will soon be added to the web site.
No matter which version you are currently using, you are strongly
encouraged to download this upgrade. See instructions at the
bottom of this page.
Wednesday 12/15/04
Version
1.0.1.2 contains a variety of fixes and refinements. We suggest
you upgrade to this version. (See upgrade instructions at the bottom of
this page.)
- Whitelist Builder,
accessible from the Start>Programs>UseBestMail menu makes it easy
to create an initial whitelist from an existing address list or to add
batches of names to the whitlist. Start the program and use the
Help button.
- Invisible Marks -- for
advanced users the subject line marks can now optionally be replaced
with invisible header entries.
- Stop Sign Icon -
when the internet connection or UseBestMail server connection is not
available the U icon is replaced with a red stop sign.
- UseBestMail was unable to identify some Outlook email accounts. This
has been fixed.
- Graphic banners received by Outlook
or Outlook Express were being mangled. The HTML of the
banner has been changed to prevent this.
- Users of Win-XP were
experiencing exception errors. This has been remedied. This
should also fix some incompatibilities with anti-virus programs. Please contact me if you experience any
exceptions or error messages.
- Contact me if you
experience any problems. I fix problems right away when I know
about them.
Monday 12/6/04
In some cases the setup
program was not identifying all Outlook Express accounts. It
should now identify all email accounts.
Another change has been made to UseBestMailSMTP. I think I
finally found a problem that has plagued this module from the very
first and have fixed it. The new code appears solid in my
tests. If you are testing or plan to test the SMTP module please
contact me. Upcoming changes will affect its
usage.
Wednesday 11/24/04
More changes made to
commercial UseBestMailSTMP. Download of new version
strongly recommended.
Monday 11/1/04
Version 1.0.19
has an added utility to import
whitelist addresses from email program address books. The
procedure is easy but not automatic.
Also added is a graphic logo on the banner message for HTML emails.
Thursday 10/21/04
The latest version is
1.0.0.17. It is the same as 1.0.0.16 except for some uninstall
refinements including an exit questionnaire.
Wednesday 10/13/04
The latest version, 1.0.0.16 was made
available today. I changed the challenge email message a little
to make it more clear and friendly.
A revision to the commercial SMTP module
UseBestMailSMTP has been uploaded. It fixes an occasional failure
that had been caused by hacker activity. If you are using
this module, please contact me and tell me about your experience.
Monday 10/11/04
This
morning I was shocked to discover that the change to default settings
mentioned below somehow didn't take in the distribution version.
These default settings have now been changed again and retested, so bad
mail should stay on the server by default and challenge response and
preview are enabled by default. A few minor changes have also
been made, which might justify downloading a new copy. Just be
sure to stop (right click, Quit) the old copy before installing a new
one. As before, of course, all these settings are available to be
set any way you prefer.
The latest version as of today is 1.0.0.15.
If anyone out there is reading this, I'd really appreciate some
feedback. Send me an email. Thanks.
Sunday 9/19/04
Today at 2:00 I uploaded build 1.0.0.13 of the UseBestMail
Client. This does not change any features. It does have
changes in the default settings and the help file. Previously
most of the features, such as Preview and Challenge/Response were
disabled by default and had to be enabled in the Configure
section. All mail was downloaded with subject line marks.
I've wondered whether people were understanding this, so now all the
features are enabled by default and the help file reflects this
change. If you have an earlier build you won't gain much by
downloading the new one, but you should consult the help file and How
I UseBestMail Myself on this web site.
Thursday 9/16/04
If you have
downloaded UseBestMailSMTP, the commercial version, before today please download again file version 1.0.0.3.
A correction was made to the handling of rejected incoming messages
lacking stamps. Also please note the instructions revised to
include the SHOW command line parameter.
We're now getting lots of web site traffic and downloads.
This looks like a winner.
Sunday
9/12/04
Today I uploaded UseBestMail Client build
1.0.0.12.
You can download it any time you wish and install it without losing
your
settings. When you install a new version, just stop the old one
(right-click
the icon, then select Quit) first. Small refinements include an
indicator
in the icon to show when UseBestMail is busy processing emails,
corrected
registration message showing days-remaining in trial, improved handling
of FriendMark and some minor clarification of the server not-available
message.
Advertising is bringing in a lot of traffic and
downloads
are strong, so this looks like it will be a success. Be sure to
tell
your friends and neighbors about UseBestMail. The more users
there are the
better it is for all of us.
Saturday 7/24/04
I've decided to emphasize the more conventional aspects of
UseBestMail,
the whitelist, challenge-response, and preview features and abandon the
'free for commercial use' idea. I'd hoped to get a grass (roots)
fire going, but it looks like new ideas just don't work that way.
You can discuss this with me on my blog: Eliminate Spam Now at http://usebestmail.blogspot.com.
Sunday 7/18/04
For those who've followed this, the past several months have been
very
busy. Added features include, most significantly, the mailbox
subscription
service including web mail. This is the last piece in the
strategy
to provide UseBestMail service for absolutely everyone -- no excuses
left
not to use it.
This last week I started publicizing the product via pay-per-click
ads
on the web. Not a great deal of attention so far, but these
things
take time and the budget is small.
The product is working well and reliably. It's time to quit
improving
and start marketing. All it will take is a little grass-fire
initially
to eventually make this a roaring success.
To all the pioneers, and especially the testers who've helped me
take
it this far, my thanks for your work, patience, and
understanding.
Now Onward!
Upgrade Instructions:
You should install a new version over the old one. Do not
uninstall the old version. This preserves your Whitelist and
Pending files and your settings. Follow this procedure:
1) Exit your email programs.
2) Right-click the U icon and select Quit from the pop-up menu.
3) Install the new UseBestMail version.
