I’m considering switching from Gmail to Fastmail, not necessarily due to privacy concerns but because I’m bothered by the fact that I need extra hacks and additional settings on both the Gmail and Emacs side to use their service properly with mbsync and mu4e. Also, I have the impression that Google will complicate access to IMAP in the future. They’re already starting with things like passkey. I might be talking nonsense, but that’s how I see things. Not long ago, they started detecting ad blockers in the browser while browsing YouTube, so as a company, they can change whatever they want overnight.
I want to emphasize that I don’t have a lot of money to spare, and I’m taking this step more for my peace of mind, to make sure I won’t have any issues in the future. However, I would still like to ask for your advice, are you satisfied with Fastmail, have you had any problems with their service while using Mu4e and Emacs?
I’ve noticed that they also support a feature called ‘masked mail’ and an option to add additional emails. If, for example, I want to display an email address on my CV that isn’t my primary address and I’d like to deactivate it at some point, would it be better to use the option to add a new address or the “masked mail” option instead? Also, this separate mail or masked mail need a separate Mu4e context?
I would be grateful for any suggestions. Thank you.
Very happy with Fastmail and mbsync (and notmuch+gnus, but mu4e is probably great too). I’ve never tried sending from a masked email address, I just use those for e.g. shopping accounts. But it’s easy to send from an alias, just change the
From:header :)I’ve been a Fastmail user for several years now. I use the masked mail feature extensively. I love controlling my own email domains. Support is 10/10. Very reliable service.
Wow, Google actually will take down IMAP. I wouldn’t have taken your concern seriously, but I looked it up.
Changes to Gmail syncing with other email clients
To keep your account more secure, Gmail no longer supports third-party apps or devices that require you to share your Google username and password. Sharing your account credentials with third parties makes it easier for hackers to gain access to your account.
Instead, look for the option to ‘Sign in with Google’, which is a safer way to sync your emails to other apps. Learn about Sign in with Google.
Gmail users with a personal Google Account
In the coming weeks, the option to ‘Enable IMAP’ or ‘Disable IMAP’ will no longer be available. IMAP access is always enabled in Gmail, and your current connections to other email clients aren’t affected. You don’t need to take any action.
Late, but yet another Fastmail user, with Gnus.
Like the other comment says, the feature you are looking at is Aliases, I have my primary address and then subscriptions@mydomain.com, work@mydomain.com, etc with rules that send them to different directories.I wrote a package to sync Fastmail’s CalDAV calendars to Emacs’ built in calendar, and now I can user FM good apps on the phone and all their services in Emacs when on the computer.
I would be interested in the package that syncs fastmails calendar with emacs built-in calendar.