I tried to update my email address from markiwade@verizon.net (no longer active) to my longstanding address of mark.i.wade@gmail.com, but the profile update feature gave me the following message: "Sorry, the email host address you entered is currently blocked." What am I doing wrong. This is my only email account and I would prefer not to change it. Help!

Mark

Mark Wade

All free servers such as gmail, hotmail and yahoo are blocked and cannot be used.

Can we get these unblocked? Many of us use gmail, hotmail, and yahoo.

If you're already a member, it doesn't matter what email service you use. The block of only for new registrations and there are multiple reasons for it.

I have a gmail account that I have been using for several years now, however, I registered with a hotmail account. I no longer use the hotmail account but I cannot update my profile to reflect my gmail account.

Again, there is no reason to worry about this. Once you are a member, the only Café reason for having an email address is in case you forget your password. A new one would be sent to whatever address we have on file.

I know this was frustrating for me back when I first joined the Café. I use Fastmail and it is definitely not a free service! I pay $163+ annually for my email account yet it was not accepted here.

I understand that Fastmail once had free addresses but has not had them for a number of years now. The Café tech gurus might want to review their listing of what they think are free email services and update it.

Just a thought...

Thank you.

Jim

It might be the free email accounts have to many [Bots] that lurk around sucking up info. This is only a guess.

Seems to me that it's just a way to cut back on the number of anonymous trolls who join, cause problems, get banned and then immediately join again from a new (free) email address.

Mastermindreader: Bingo! That's the exact reason. Everybody suffers because of the actions of a few. Pretty sad.

BTW - you're not quite correct about it only affecting new registrations. I just tried to change mine (I now use Gmail primarily) and it prevents long-time members from changing to those as well.

Read the entire topic and you'll understand what was meant. It does only have an affect on new registrations by new potential members as they cannot use a free server. It has no effect on those that are already registered because once registered, the email address doesn't matter.

Dave, I think it does. If someone registered with an email address that no longer exists, that user will no longer receive topic reply notifications, new PM notifications, and other notifications in addition to not being able to request a password change if they lose it for whatever reason.

I have in the past changed email addresses for long-standing (minimum six months with at least valid 50 posts) members. If any member who has been registered a minimum of 6 months and has at least 50 valid posts wishes to have their email address changed please send me a direct PM about it. Do NOT post on the open forums. I will look over your account and go from there.

Yes, that's correct and I did mention the need for a valid address when requesting a lost password. My main comments were made in response to Curtgunz who had an invalid free server for years without a problem and wants to change to a new free server address. Members have PM'd me directly in the past to change an email address which we've done.

I did forget about the auto notification functions

Yeah, it's all good. I've already had one email change request so far.