.Mac: New Webmail interface launched, some limitations; continuing connection problems

Apple has launched the much-anticipated revamp of its .Mac webmail service. The new interface mimics Mail.app's interface, using scripting to deliver impressive interactivity, and operates more smoothly than its predecessors.

Already users are noting a few limitations.

Ockham, one of the moderators in the MacFixIt Forums writes:

"The major upgrade apparently has a few limitations, there's no spam filter and keyboard shortcuts are non-standard to avoid conflicts with browser shortcuts. .Mac mail uses simple one character key?s like 'x' to delete messages and 'p' to print them.  All in all it is very good and much needed upgrade to online mail."

Meanwhile, a few readers are reporting brief SMTP server outages, possibly caused by the update.

"Anyone else having problems with smtp.mac.com server.  What otherwise worked yesterday, won't work today.  Also, perhaps it's related to the big webmail upgrade rolled out overnight.  Error message attached."

Problems publishing photocasts Some users are reporting issues with publishing photocasts to .Mac servers.

Chuck Larcom writes:

"I have had repeated problems trying to publish a Photocast from iPhoto 6 to .Mac.  I get repeated messages stating either 'Error, there was no response from .Mac for 30 secs', and now I get '.Mac member name is not correct. Publishing to .Mac requires a properly configured .Mac account.'  I have checked that the member name and password are correct in Systems Preference and can access account info thru Systems Preferences.  I have also verified and repaired Keychain Access."

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Previous coverage:

• .Mac failures (#3): E-mail: Repeated password requests -- fix for non-server related issues, sending e-mail fixes; Sync failure fixes; more
• .Mac problems (#2): Failure to retrieve/send e-mail; synchronization issues; Backup will not copy files; more
• .Mac outages: Inability to retrieve mail, problems synchronizing, more

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