How Can PF Mail Improve Communication Among Scientists?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mk
  • Start date Start date
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the PF Mail service offered by Physics Forums, focusing on its features, user experiences, and concerns regarding the information required for registration. Participants share their thoughts on the utility of PF Mail and express varying opinions about the registration process.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express excitement about using PF Mail as an alternative to other email services.
  • Concerns are raised about the personal information required for signing up, including home address, phone number, and household income.
  • Participants question whether the fields for personal information are optional or required, with some stating that certain fields are indeed mandatory.
  • There are mixed feelings about the usefulness of PF Mail, with some users indicating they rarely use it, while others have found it helpful for specific tasks like file sharing.
  • Some participants suggest that users can provide false information when signing up if they are uncomfortable sharing personal details.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the necessity or appropriateness of the personal information requested for PF Mail. There are differing opinions on the service's utility and user experience, indicating a lack of agreement on its overall value.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention that the terms of use allow for sharing of personal information with third parties, which raises additional concerns about privacy.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to current and prospective users of PF Mail, as well as those concerned about privacy and data sharing in online services.

Mk
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I got my PF Mail!

I'll use it as my second instead of hotmailalternateaddress@hotmail.com. I'm Mks because I needed 3+ characters.

I heart PF!

Love,
Mk
 
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am I the only one who finds it a bit strange that they want to know your home address, phone number, occupation and household income when you sign up?
 
matthyaouw said:
am I the only one who finds it a bit strange that they want to know your home address, phone number, occupation and household income when you sign up?
:confused: I certainly don't recall that...if they asked for that info, I would have never signed up. Then again, it's entirely possible they did ask for it and I made up some numbers or gave them something from 4 addresses ago. :devil:
 
what's PF mail?
 
Math Is Hard said:
what's PF mail?

It is up there ^ MIH and it is free
 
yeah, they ask for my address and phone #. even our yearly income


I'm not signing up :frown:
 
Is it any good ? i still use oe.:blushing:
 
I must be going blind, Wollie, because I don't see it. If "up there" means my toolbar, I have these:

User CP
Upgrade Membership
Links
Journal
Quiz
Blog
New Posts
Search
Quick Links
Log Out
 
  • #10
Math Is Hard said:
I must be going blind, Wollie, because I don't see it. If "up there" means my toolbar, I have these:
User CP
Upgrade Membership
Links
Journal
Quiz
Blog
New Posts
Search
Quick Links
Log Out
MIH, it's an announcement Greg put up. It's above the list of threads within the sub forums.
 
  • #12
yomamma said:
yeah, they ask for my address and phone #. even our yearly income
I'm not signing up :frown:

Just make up those figures, who cares.

Yomma I think you live at:

123 North Coconut St
542-322-3352
Making $653,000
 
  • #13
Greg Bernhardt said:
Are those fields optional or required to sign up?

Address, full name, DOB, Household income, gender, primary language & Profession among other things are required. Phone number is optional.

the terms of use say they can share most of that info with 3rd parties (except for name & address, which they can only disclose in certain circumstances.)
 
  • #14
Found it - thank you, Evo.
It's been available for years, I just thought I'd remind everyone.
Y'know, I thought I had heard of PF mail before, back when I first joined up, and I think once I even went back to find some info on it but couldn't locate anything. I'll check it out.
 
  • #15
  • #16
I think I'll stick with my Gmail. :rolleyes:
 
  • #17
Oooh, I have an account now. :approve:
 
  • #18
Greg Bernhardt said:
Just make up those figures, who cares.
Yomma I think you live at:
123 North Coconut St
542-322-3352
Making $653,000
how did ou know?!


I got one. I thought greg actually used that info! :
 
  • #19
Greg Bernhardt said:
It's been available for years, I just thought I'd remind everyone.
Me too, but no one signed up for my list!
 
  • #20
I've had mine for a long time now...hardly ever use it though. I've only used it a few times to send files back and forth to other members because they can't be sent via PM (like Brewnog's resume...I think he owes me a drink :biggrin:)
 

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