Farewell to the email.

[Morovich]

http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/polnews/news25783.shtml

There are some but I don't know how many that probably utilized the email service of PlayOnline I did occasionaly the send stuff and receive info. It's end of an era though ran pretty long for an email service that to this day can only utilize text and not HTML.

2002-2019

[Alhanelem]

Hm, aside from lack of usage, they also cited security concerns. POL probably uses a really old version of email protocols in its server software, so its probably more vulnerable to abuse.

[Dragoniks]

I'm happy they end this. I've an email waiting but cannot find anymore my password. So when ingame, i have the popo up on the upper right side that bother me.

[Balduran]

I'm happy they end this. I've an email waiting but cannot find anymore my password. So when ingame, i have the popo up on the upper right side that bother me.

The PlayOnline mail password can be reset from the Square Enix account management under PlayOnline ID options. 'Update PlayOnline mail password'

This will allow you to enter a new password directly without entering your current one.

[Dragoniks]

The PlayOnline mail password can be reset from the Square Enix account management under PlayOnline ID options. 'Update PlayOnline mail password'

This will allow you to enter a new password directly without entering your current one.

Yea i saw that after i posted this lol I logged to account management to update my card and saw the option.

[Dragoy]

Heh. I almost started this topic myself. :]

It is kind of sad, yes. I've been using it now and then for fun, and even have it added into my e-mail client (currently Claws Mail (SPONsor!)).


Hm, aside from lack of usage, they also cited security concerns. POL probably uses a really old version of email protocols in its server software, so its probably more vulnerable to abuse.

It's POP3, and while it is quite old, it's still widely in use elsewhere. They don't use SSL/TLS however, which I guess may well be at least a part of the cited concerns.

On another note, I hope by "Distribution and support for the PlayOnline Friend List Application" they mean the 'PlayOnline Plus. Friend List Plus' applet. I know it must be that, but ya never know...

[Alhanelem]

On another note, I hope by "Distribution and support for the PlayOnline Friend List Application" they mean the 'PlayOnline Plus. Friend List Plus' applet. I know it must be that, but ya never know...
It's definitely that. The friend list thing on the website.

[Morovich]

I'm happy they end this. I've an email waiting but cannot find anymore my password. So when ingame, i have the popo up on the upper right side that bother me.

That's true I don't really use it myself and the fact that it can only display text within content makes it only semi useful as almost all email uses HTML and some way granted some most could still use simple text of course but if the majority of your email as HTML in it you're like generally display anything and so it's like you only see half the message or less.

[Alhanelem]

The friends list tool on the website was useful, it let you message people outside of the game. (But maybe that's the source of the security concerns?)

[Dragoy]

That's true I don't really use it myself and the fact that it can only display text within content makes it only semi useful as almost all email uses HTML and some way granted some most could still use simple text of course but if the majority of your email as HTML in it you're like generally display anything and so it's like you only see half the message or less.

There are (weird?) people like me who mainly deal with plain text e-mail. Most of my mail tends to deal with open-source software development though, which probably isn't normal mail for a lot of other people.

As for mail that is not sent in plain text form, I force html display off for them (actually did not even enable the functionality at build-time for my main e-mail client).

If a mail doesn't display anything when viewed in plain text form, it's usually mail I'm not interested in. :]


The friends list tool on the website was useful, it let you message people outside of the game. (But maybe that's the source of the security concerns?)

Quite useful indeed, especially back when it was not possible to log into PlayOnline without an active subscription. At least as far as I remember, that used to not be possible. Don't know if it was a conscious choice, or a kind of a by-product from switching to SqEX Account Management (the status of the content IDs seem to be checked after hitting 'Play').

I'd guess the main security issue here is non-maintenance. No one is looking, and that's not good for these kinds of things. For example the community site links: I'm almost certain there are more than a few spammy sites linked to there now, as domains have changed owners and so on.

[Morovich]

I understand I'll get the e-mails and read them cause I'll see emails I missed that are supposed to go to my regular e-mail gallons but for whatever reason they don't. The tough thing is only see in the plain text in the e-mail even after acknowledging the HTML but you'll it could only see the plane text and so most the email isn't there but I'll still usually read them so if not at least the title.

[Xel]

There are (weird?) people like me who mainly deal with plain text e-mail. Most of my mail tends to deal with open-source software development though, which probably isn't normal mail for a lot of other people.

As for mail that is not sent in plain text form, I force html display off for them (actually did not even enable the functionality at build-time for my main e-mail client).

If a mail doesn't display anything when viewed in plain text form, it's usually mail I'm not interested in. :]



Quite useful indeed, especially back when it was not possible to log into PlayOnline without an active subscription. At least as far as I remember, that used to not be possible. Don't know if it was a conscious choice, or a kind of a by-product from switching to SqEX Account Management (the status of the content IDs seem to be checked after hitting 'Play').

I'd guess the main security issue here is non-maintenance. No one is looking, and that's not good for these kinds of things. For example the community site links: I'm almost certain there are more than a few spammy sites linked to there now, as domains have changed owners and so on.

What email client do you use? I am quite curious. Also do you know what exact protocol POL mail uses? I have been unsuccessful in the past trying to get it to work with my Thunderbird client.

[Dragoy]

What email client do you use? I am quite curious. Also do you know what exact protocol POL mail uses? I have been unsuccessful in the past trying to get it to work with my Thunderbird client.

Mainly Claws Mail at this time (Thunderbird is getting increasingly annoying to me). No idea how good the non-Linux builds are though.

As for the POP, all it should require is...

Server for Receiving: po000.pol.com (port 110)

For secure authentication use 'APOP'. Seems to mean 'Encrypted Password' in Thunderbird.

Server for Sending: ma000.pol.com

Sending I don't have working currently. I think I did in the past, but I'm not entirely sure now...

Edit:

Looks like sending requires pretending to be in PlayOnline... sort of, so I'd probably not go for that. ^^;

[Xel]

Mainly Claws Mail at this time (Thunderbird is getting increasingly annoying to me). No idea how good the non-Linux builds are though.

As for the POP, all it should require is...

Server for Receiving: po000.pol.com (port 110)

For secure authentication use 'APOP'. Seems to mean 'Encrypted Password' in Thunderbird.

Server for Sending: ma000.pol.com

Sending I don't have working currently. I think I did in the past, but I'm not entirely sure now...

Edit:

Looks like sending requires pretending to be in PlayOnline... sort of, so I'd probably not go for that. ^^;

Thanks for the info friend!