There may be times when you want to check your StarNet mail when you have an Internet connection, but you aren't connected to StarNet. You could be at work, which has its own Internet connection. You could be visiting relatives outside Tucson. There are a number of different scenarios.
Just because you are not dialed in to StarNet (or using your StarNet DSL connection) does not mean that you cannot check your StarNet mail.
There are a couple different options. Which one is right for you depends on the circumstances.
One potential stumbling block is sending mail. You can only use StarNet's mail server to send mail if you are connected to StarNet (such as dialed in to StarNet's modems or via StarNet DSL). There is a legitimate, technical reason for this limit. If you want to read that, click on this link.
Most of the time this is not a problem. When configuring a mail program, enter the SMTP (or outgoing mail server) for the network or Internet provider you are using.
For example, let's assume you are configuring a mail program to check your StarNet mail on a relative's LocalISP dial-up account. You would configure all the mail program's settings for StarNet, except for the outgoing mail server. In that field you would use the name for LocalISP's mail server.
Note: You e-mail would still appear as it normally would. It will still appear as coming from your StarNet address and any replies to the messages you send will go to your StarNet address.
However, there are some cases where the above work-around will not work.
One of the most common is that the Internet provider you are using is not using standard mail servers. America Online is a perfect example. At last word, you could not enter an AOL mail server in the settings of a mail program. Thus you cannot send mail.
Another common case is a network at work. There are Internet-connected networks in offices that do not have their own mail server set up. Without a mail server, you cannot send messages or replies.
In situations like the above, you will want to look into the alternative below.
2. Web-based Mail
That said, there are web pages out there that allow you to check for your mail on any mail account using the POP3 protocol (which StarNet does).
One of these pages is http://www.mail2web.com/.
On their front page are input boxes where you enter your e-mail address and your password. You can enter your StarNet e-mail address and password and the site will pull up all the mail currently in your Inbox on StarNet's mail server. Just click on the Subject of the e-mail to read individual messages.
One of the nicer features of Mail2Web is that you can also compose and reply to messages. You can do that without signing up for a service. Thus the only password you have to remember is your StarNet password.
As far as privacy, Mail2Web's privacy policy.
A quote from the Privay Policy, "Mail2Web works in either standard or 128Bit secure SSL communication method. Even while using the standard method, your email address and password, is encrypted to the highest possible degree. No one can trap your details! If you use the SSL method then not only your details but your messages are encrypted as well and no one can trap your messages."