Alternatives to FastMail

[MHartfield]

After 14 years, and 3 disastrous interface modifications (I wouldn't call any of them "upgrades"), I need to find another provider.

I sent the following to support. The response was a joke.

"1) Why can't I edit the "subject line" when I reply? This is CRITICAL to me in my business." [Others have mentioned this already.)

The response back was to click on the "full screen" window, then it would appear. Which it doesn't. Besides, I spent a fair amount of money a long time ago to buy a wide gaming monitor, (the last thing I am is a "gamer") so I could split the screen in 2 for 2 separate programs. I have worked on dual monitors and don't like them.... So, Fastmail wants me to spend 1/2 of my day clicking on "Full Screen," then constantly re-sizing??

The 2nd problem I mentioned was:
2) I can no longer do an "edit copy" and "edit paste" from documents when I need to copy sections of 1 document into another."

The response back was that they didn't know what an edit-copy and edit paste was. Would I please send them a screen shot, along with instructions... as though I'm an idiot and don't know how to do this.

Does anyone know where Fastmail is headed? I hate to give up a 14 year relationship, but FM doesn't seem to care.

Sorry to be so long winded...

[hadaso]

Originally Posted by MHartfield

"1) Why can't I edit the "subject line" when I reply? This is CRITICAL to me in my business." [Others have mentioned this already.)

I tried this now, and when I reply (0r forward) I get an editable subject field (both on the beta app and the production app). Not only in full screen but also with the browser window quite small.

Originally Posted by MHartfield

2) I can no longer do an "edit copy" and "edit paste" from documents when I need to copy sections of 1 document into another."

If what you mean by "document" is an email message being composed in the webmail app, and what you mean by "edit copy" and "edit paste" are the copy and paste actions in the browser's menu bar, I also checked and these work for me.

[JeremyNicoll]

Originally Posted by MHartfield

"1) Why can't I edit the "subject line" when I reply?

The response back was to click on the "full screen" window...

The 2nd problem I mentioned was:
2) I can no longer do an "edit copy" and "edit paste" from documents when I need to copy sections of 1 document into another."

Both work for me whether I drag a browser window small or large - though I use the "compose in plain text" edit option.

I use the FM webmail system in a browser.

I'm using Firefox 115.34.0esr (64-bit) which is now only getting security fixes - so not state of the art.. I don't have any script- or ad-blocking active nor tailored (personal) CSS.

If you're one of the people who has previously tweaked CSS to try to make a newer FM interface behave like an older one turn all of that off.

If you use ad- or script- blockers turn them off.

Clear your browser cache & cookies.

You might better also (or instead) to start with a fresh browser 'profile'.


Can you copy & paste text between other browser tabs?

[MHartfield]

Hadaso & Jeremy:
Thanks for the replies. I'm headed out of town so I'll look at this late tomorrow (West Coast USA time.)

But, Hadaso, I've tried clicking on the "open in new window" icon, which is what FM said to do, and I still don't get the subject line... There's another poster/thread in here saying the same thing.

Jeremy:
I can copy & paste everywhere else... I have 2 copies of this thread open, side-by side in my wide gaming monitor, and can copy & paste between both, no problems. I do taxes & bookkeeping and use spreadsheet, bookkeeping, tax, and word programs with no problem. This all started, about when FM changed the interface, and only with FM.

One of my major gripes with FM... and I've expressed this to support several times with no reaction... is that FM changes things, doesn't bother to notify us, and let's us go through the frustration of figuring out that something's been changed. There have been several occasions where I needed to get something done in the morning, and had to wait for several back-and-forths with support before I could figure it out. When FM dumped the "classic interface" (sometime ago), I spent several months getting reset.

I don't want to deal with such a company, so I'm walking away after 14 years. I'm stuck right now, because there is a major U.S. tax filing deadline in 2 weeks, so I don't have the time so switch right now, and it would be a mess with my clients.

I appreciate the help here. Thanks.
Mike Hartfield

[hadaso]

Originally Posted by MHartfield

But, Hadaso, I've tried clicking on the "open in new window" icon, which is what FM said to do, and I still don't get the subject line... There's another poster/thread in here saying the same thing.

That was me, but now it seems (to me) to be fixed.
Perhaps you have an older version of the web app in your browser's cache? Try to refresh the browser window.
Also it might be a difference between working in threaded view and working with single messges (I use the latter method).

[JeremyNicoll]

Originally Posted by MHartfield

Jeremy:
I can copy & paste everywhere else... I have 2 copies of this thread open, side-by side in my wide gaming monitor, and can copy & paste between both, no problems.

I don't believe that monitor-size or browser-window size is relevant.

Do you use a normal keyboard etc? Or are you - say - using a screen reader or any accessibility software/hardware - eg those meant for blind or disabled users?

Do you do copy & paste with Ctrl-C & Ctrl-V or by (context-menu?) menu choices? Your use of terms like "edit-copy" makes that unclear.

Does any other part of the FM interface see your Ctrl-C & -Vs? For example if you pretend to define a new folder or filter can you c&p characters into fields in those settings dialogues?

Which OS are you using?

Which browser (& which version) are you using?

Do you have it configured to be especially strict in regard to privacy or security options?

Does your anti-malware app (if you have one) interface with the browser?

Something that interests me about this is that it'd be good to know whether the browser (when you're using FM) is seeing the Ctrl-C / V keypresses or not. What you describe /could/ be caused by something seeing those keypresses & not passing them to the FM session. I'm not sure how to go about finding that out though.

If your browser is Chrome or Firefox do you know your way around their internal consoles & developer tools? Possibly (if FM isn't reacting to a Ctrl-C/V) there'll be some sort of logged error message when that happens. Unfortunately many websites generate hundreds of errors as a matter of course (because lots of website designers use off-the-shelf code without fully understanding it - they're really graphic/effects designers more than programmers) - so these logs aren't something a normal user is ever aware of.

Have you tried a different browser?

Originally Posted by MHartfield

One of my major gripes with FM... and I've expressed this to support several times with no reaction... is that FM changes things, doesn't bother to notify us, and let's us go through the frustration of figuring out that something's been changed.

Unfortunately it's not just FM who are like this. I don't understand why - it comes across (to me) as somewhat insulting - after all we pay for this - and as if they think everything is intuitive.

My professional computing background is in areas where proper documentation was the norm - albeit at a price. I don't know if it still is though.

Originally Posted by MHartfield

When FM dumped the "classic interface" (sometime ago), I spent several months getting reset.

What does "getting reset" mean? Did you have to change any settings in any software? Or do you just mean "coming to terms with a new interface"?

Originally Posted by MHartfield

I don't want to deal with such a company, so I'm walking away after 14 years ....

What makes you think you can find a better company? If you DO find somewhere you think is better ... please let us all know who it is & why you think they are better.

If I were to leave FM I'd - at the very least - try alternate providers / e-mail clients in parallel (eg with a test custom domain) for a minimum of 6 months to find out their pros & cons. As it is FM only handle half of my mail: the other half is hosted elsewhere; I never wanted all my e-eggs to be in one basket - so maybe trying out other providers would be less of a shock to me.

[taras]

Originally Posted by MHartfield

Hadaso & Jeremy:
I've tried clicking on the "open in new window" icon, which is what FM said to do, and I still don't get the subject line... There's another poster/thread in here saying the same thing.

"More ▽" (button) → "Edit subject" reveals the subject line when replying in-line.

For me, replying in a new window (shift-click 'Reply') shows an editable subject line in the new window.

[JeremyNicoll]

Originally Posted by taras

"More ▽" (button) → "Edit subject" reveals the subject line when replying in-line.

Does that just make Subject visible for the current reply or does it set a flag that means "Make Subject visible for every reply from now on"?

Is there a corresponding "Hide Subject " option?

--- I'm wondering why I always see Subject.

Originally Posted by taras

For me, replying in a new window (shift-click 'Reply') shows an editable subject line in the new window.

Just clicking Reply (no need for Shift) works here.

[n5bb]

Fastmail has many display options, but in general there are now two display choices when you are forwarding or replying to a message. You can switch between these two modes using the View/Exit fullscreen icon (the opposing arrows at a 45 degree angle far to the right of the Send button, adjacent to the Open in new window icon). The two choices (this choice is "sticky") are:

• Inline view (not fullscreen): The original message you are replying to or forwarding is shown above the compose area. The Subject is visible at the top of the original message, but this may require scrolling if that message is long.
  • Editing the subject in this mode requires using the More>Edit subject temporary choice.
• Fullscreen mode: The original message you are replying to or forwarding is not shown (unless it is quoted in the Compose window).
  • The Subject is visible in this mode and may be edited.
  • Fullscreen mode is sticky. Of course, you can exit this mode and go back to inline view mode using the Exit fullscreen icon.

This explains why some posters here don't need to use the More>Edit subject transient mode to edit the subject in all cases..Just activate Fullscreen mode using the 45 degree opposing arrow icon when composing a reply or forwarding.

Note that fullscreen mode is not the same as using the Open in new window tool, which also allows you to see and edit the subject.

Bill

[emebrs]

Where can one have webmail as good as Fastmail's? I'm not seeing much competition.

[InquiringMind]

Every time Fastmail updates its user interface, it is a DOWNGRADE.

I wish they would stop fixing things that aren't broke and fix the actual problems.

[JeremyNicoll]

Originally Posted by InquiringMind

Every time Fastmail updates its user interface, it is a DOWNGRADE.

I wish they would stop fixing things that aren't broke and fix the actual problems.

I certainly agree with that.

Didn't they recruit a "UI designer" or something a while ago? Trouble is someone recruited for that has to keep changing things to justify their own continued employment. And... was this a programming post? - one to be held by someone who understands the underlying system architecture? Or... is it more a graphic design role where the LOOK of the interface matters more than how it works?

I read the FM blog from time to time. One of their posters is their "Chief Ops & People Officer". Her recent posts have tended to be thinly-veiled adverts for other companies' products (some of which integrate with FM's offerings). But her title mystifies me: "Chief Ops" sounds functional but "People Officer" sounds like HR. It'd be unusual to be both.

[emebrs]

I'm surprised by the complaints about the webmail interface at Fastmail. I haven't found webmail anywhere else that matches it.

What don't you like about it?

[JeremyNicoll]

Originally Posted by emebrs

What don't you like about it?

Read the threads here from 08 Mar onwards.

Do you think the changes have made the UI better?

Did you think the prior interface needed to be 'improved'?

[BritTim]

Originally Posted by emebrs

I'm surprised by the complaints about the webmail interface at Fastmail. I haven't found webmail anywhere else that matches it.

What don't you like about it?

Most power users dislike UI changes that provide no functional benefits, but which severely impact productivity until you adapt to the changes.