I have just (my mag didn't turn up and I have just had it today) read the feature about backing up mail using Thunderbird (issue 179, page 57). I am an avid Thunderbird user and the part that interested me the most was how to download your hotmail messages using FreePops. I was always led to believe that you couldn't do this unless you had a paid-for hotmail account.

I have 4 email accounts including a hotmail one and didn't log into it much as I was constantly forgetting my password and having to reset it. So now I can download my messages to Thunderbird and not worry about it.

Thanks WebUser for this really useful article.