Neopets Webmail

[gigabyte]

Neopets is acting as a web portal and ISP? I think they are trying to destroy their reputation by becoming a soon to be rejected portal. Paying for a portal is just going too far.

[Moogum]

Normally I am always on the side of Neopets when people are bashing it, but this is just going too far. Donna has always made it clear that the site would ALWAYS be free. Giving people advantages by paying is just wrong.

But with my usual optimisim, I will just say that we should wait to see how this turns out after they are finished testing *shrugs*

[gigabyte]

It's exactly like what Neopets bans in it's Terms and Conditions. You can't sell neopoints or something like that. Guess it doesn't apply to neo while it applies to us.

[everconfused]

Here is a section of their Terms policy that really concerns me:

No Confidentiality

Information transmitted through Provider and through the Internet in general is not confidential. Provider can not and shall not guarantee privacy or protection of any User. Provider reserves the right to monitor any User's transmissions when deemed necessary for providing proper service and/or to protect the rights and property of Provider.

Customer Information

Unless required by court order, subpoena or other legal request, or upon the advice of counsel, Provider may publish User's name and other consumer information in one or more directories that may be accessed by other Internet users. In addition, unless User notifies Provider to the contrary as provided above, Provider may make such information available to third parties from time to time. User understands further that merchants on the Internet may have access to such information and may make it available to third parties in accordance with their normal practices unless User notifies those merchants directly that User does not wish such information to be made available.

Sierra, thank you for going to the trouble of posting this. This little bit of information I had read and that's why I advised people to go read the Terms of that ISP.

What this basically sounds like to me is they can sell any and all information they get from you signing up for this ISP to anyone else, and the people your information is sent/sold to can then pass it on. And of course, you can't dismiss the possibility of adware/malware/tracking with the wording of those Terms. You would have NO privacy! This really does conform with being a family oriented, COPA and child friendly site doesn't it? *note sarcasm*

This is the same problem I have with the glophone. If you read those terms and the fine print you'll find some of the same sort of thing, and more. Like the glophone can use your computer resources as they see fit. I don't have that to copy and paste in front of me, but that got me riled up. This? goes beyond riled.

Giving more random events, etc. as an incentive for paying for the portal/email is not fair. First not fair to the people who do not, cannot or will not sign up and pay for it. Second, and more importantly to me, not fair to the people who do sign up, don't or can't read the fine print (think a child who just gets mom and dad to sign up for them - Hey, it's Neopets, it must be ok!) and then find that their information is all over the internet. Along with the huge possibility of scamming/spoofing using the email service.

Obviously, I will not be signing up for these services, nor will I use the toolbar (aol doesn't like other toolbars anyway, and it's a waste of space to have yet another one). I understand, as I'm sure we all do, that the site does cost alot of money to run and that money has to be made somewhere. I thought that's what the sponsors and merchandise were for. This just goes way too far, IMHO.

[DiscordantNote]

I've thought about this a bit more, and I've come up with my opinion, which is similar to many of yous.

I first saw the banners today (like everyone) and was curious to see what it was. I was shocked to see that they were going to not only be a webmail provider, but an ISP. I was shocked to the point where I couldn't believe it at first, and then I spotted the price. Sure, you can say that since neopets is adding someting of their own that you have to pay for (aside from merchandise) that there may be less sponser ads in the future, but as stated earlier it goes completely against the whole idea of the site. I was even more surprised to read that they've chosen to be a branch off of another ISP that goes against their ToS and privacy agreements by not keeping personal information secure. I became a bit more disgusted when I heard that they're promotion was designed to let kids beg their parents for the service. I hope those parents don't give in. Even if this may not be the first time something on the site required money (sadly), it's an outrage.

I believe that if this occured before the Day of Action there would've been a much larger participation in the boycott. Sure, the point behind the DoA was a valid one but some didn't consider it 'over the line.' Well, this ISP buisiness is over the line, by a couple miles. Many people would've seen this and wouldn't have came to Neopets on July 3rd and maybe wouldn't have returned. I'm actually curious about what the NeoBoards are saying about this, but I'm willing to bet most of it's pretty negative.

It's a shame to see something like this. Seeing them explain and apoligize for a glitch in the news, among other things, made me think the site was improving; I even got a good feeling thinking about that. It's a shame to see that feeling blown away, especially since I'm probably not the only one who had it.

Edited for typos.

[Rachel]

Sure, you can say that since neopets is adding someting of their own that you have to pay for (aside from merchandise) that there may be less sponser ads in the future, but as stated earlier it goes completely against the whole idea of the site.

You know i actually like the sponsor stuff. well some of it. the fact that the general shops is now mainly sponsored things annoys me, but i dont mind the sponsored games, as it's another (usually easy but temporary) way to get np.

[DiscordantNote]

Sure, you can say that since neopets is adding someting of their own that you have to pay for (aside from merchandise) that there may be less sponser ads in the future, but as stated earlier it goes completely against the whole idea of the site.

You know i actually like the sponsor stuff. well some of it. the fact that the general shops is now mainly sponsored things annoys me, but i dont mind the sponsored games, as it's another (usually easy but temporary) way to get np.

The sponsered games are alright, but the sponsered banners/shops aren't. I particuarly don't like the sponsered items. I was those things that I was talking about getting rid of.

[Rachel]

The sponsered games are alright, but the sponsered banners/shops aren't. I particuarly don't like the sponsered items. I was those things that I was talking about getting rid of.

I know.

It just seems they're selling out too much. After it actually says that it will always be free, it's not anymore! grrrrrrrrrr

[ZH!]

After reading the ToS about their ISP and practices, I believe that this is going to cause some serious backlash against Neopets if people read the information.

I'm very, very curious of why they chose this ISP, and better yet, if they'll explain why. That's the main thing I want right now: an explanation.

[jxpop]

...maybe it has to do with the new plot? ^_^()

[everconfused]

I'm confused...what could a web based email/portal/toolbar/isp have to do with a plot? And which plot? Unless it's the plot to try to take over the internet and know all our secrets...

[TheClone]

Unless it's the plot to try to take over the internet and know all our secrets...

No no no! That's the government's job. *Puts on his tin foil hat*.

[Sankaras Mansion]

You fool! If you wear tin foil hats, the tin foil people will have access to all your brain waves!

Plastic wrap is ultimately superior for all your conspiracy-related protection needs!

[SnowWolf75]

Btw.. the 'new' avatar that you get is the "Neomail Addict" one... one that you can get free on the normal site...

yes, I signed up just for that.... I'm a loser, I know. -.-
So now I find the 'disconnect' button...

[Mystique]

i am actually more worried than angry at this latest development. like what yukio said, who would pay for webmail that's available for free elsewhere? by investing money and effort in creating this, it's like pressing the self-destruct button.