Sending E-Mail From Remote Locations Pose Problems, But There Are Solutions

Getting incoming e-mail from the road is never a problem. Sending mail from a remote location can be challenging, unless you're using a web-based e-mail services such as Hotmail, Yahoo Mail or a web interface from your Internet service provider (ISP). ISPs operate SMTP servers, but to avoid being used as a conduit for spam they often do not allow their SMTP servers to be used by anyone who isn't logged on to their network.

When I'm at home, I'm logged on via my DSL service, which accepts all of my outgoing mail because the company knows I'm a subscriber. If I weren't a subscriber, I couldn't be logged on through their network in the first place. When I'm on the road, I'm connected to someone else's network and they don't know me. So, if I try to send mail the usual way, the mail ''bounces back'' not delivered.

Some -- but far from all -- ISPs offer a work around that allows you to ''authenticate'' yourself for remote access. Another solution is to find out the SMTP address of the remote service you're using. A few weeks ago I logged on to the Internet via a hotel's broadband service. The hotel had an information card that included the SMTP address of its provider. I had to spend a moment reconfiguring my e-mail program, but was able to send e-mail during my visit.