CONVERSATION - THE WAY TO COMMUNITY,

Frequently Asked Questions








Frequent Questions Answered


General Questions

If the following does not address your question, or if you just want to talk

Remember we're concerned with communication to gain community -  go to Contact Us

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How does this plan differ from simple mail forwarding plans?   

I have looked throughout the web and have not found another plan that does even very close to what HOWWETALK does.

Our goal is for anyone to be able, with no maintenance effort, to send an email to any individual or group in the system from anywhere at any time from any device that has web access and email support, without having to remember any true email address. This would be most worthwhile when you desire to send an email immediately and the device from which you are sending does not have history or other aids. I have found this handy when traveling overseas.

Think of HOWWETALK as a large group of folks gathered in a big circle all prepared to consider matters of common good for the group. Anyone may bring up a topic and those who desire may add material to the discussions. All will hear the discussions even if they choose to not comment at any given point. HOWWETALK is that concept except the group may be spread over places, miles and hours. No one need miss any comment and can add to the discussion as they are able.

HOWWETALK is dedicated to facilitate this function.

The membership of the participants is controlled at a single point. No participant can add another participant directly. All maintenance and adjustments must go through your control person(s) to insure all participants in the system are who you desire. The system is cohesive and only 'approved' additions or changes can be made, while still allowing participants unlimited activity on any subject within the system.

Texting does have abilities to allow rapid and secure exchange between individuals or small groups but does not easily support large groups. Replies to such groups are hard to control by different repliers. In addition, complex threads can too easily get lost. The ease and inherent structure of email with the ability to save into folders allows full control of content.

HOWWETALK does not need to know your passwords or any other info. Many of the others need to know many things about you. We don’t even see your email – no security leak possible other than ‘normal’ web operations.

HOWWETALK does not have bothersome ads or other intervention. It does not, within itself, generate any content or links as is done in almost any other provider.

For instance, in Facebook, even if you have a controlled group, there is still the 'Facebook presence', ads and such, as well as the potential that inappropriate participants can be added with little control.

Other social media have similar problems as being too general. Bulletin boards I find confusing in that intertwining threads can divert attention - like several people talking at once.

Specialized commercial systems are often bundled in other packages that you may not need. Hence the cost is usually higher in these more sophisticated systems which may not supply the values existing in HOWWETALK. One big problem with most of these is that all original messages (threads) are made from a central spot - a church secretary for instance. In HOWWETALK, all participants are equal as in any group conversation.


Dedicated systems elsewhere have fees that are usually much higher than those in HOWWETALK.

Safe - No software needs to be loaded on your PCs other than the native email support already there.

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Can you tell us how this really works – is there a ‘trick’?

No tricks.  Just the way the Internet was set up.  Here’s a short definition.  

You type a message and enter the pseudo-address you desire to send to.  Your email program sends it to the web.  The web email processes sends it to the server we have set up which has the list of all our pseudo-addresses.  That server sees that the pseudo-address is really a forwarded entity (kind of like a bus transfer).  It then sends it on its way to the proper email recipient.

If you really want to know the fine details (so you can into business for yourself) , email me and I’ll send you my phone number, and we can talk – for a few minutes anyway.  I’m not a school teacher.

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How do I know it will work everywhere on the web?

Anyplace any email can work, this will work.  There are no hidden functions or features.  It is just one more ‘hop’ in the normal delivery of mail.  If you are in a part of the world where Internet service is questionable, this is likely to be also.  We can’t control the WWW.

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Who are you anyway – why are you doing this?

I am a Christian man, retired after over fifty years in most all phases of computer work.  I always wished there was a way to do what I’m trying to do for you all.  I did this for my church as a volunteer and it can work for you.   And, of course, I am retired.  SO, if I can make a few bucks helping you save a few and add some value, we’re both winners.

Once we get a direct contact, I'll send you my personal URL and other references as my bona fides.

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Your web sites are not very sophisticated.  Can your service be any good?

This service is concerned with email redirection only.  That, by its nature, is not a sophisticated function.

I will grant that my web site for this is not the state of the art, but we’re a low budget operation.  If you all come at me with more requests than I can handle, I’ll beef up the web site and make it more ‘pretty'.  But pretty doesn’t really deliver more service.

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Can you be trusted?

Of course, my answer is yes.  Certainly as much as any person you do not know in the wide sad universe of the World Wide Web.  If you really care, I can give you the phone number of my church and you can see what they think of me and the email system we have there.  I'll also give you my personal web site address – for what that would be worth.

I have a system very similar to this working at my church to allow the members to easily communicate with each other.  We also have ‘group’ mail names which allow emails to be direct to all members of the different ministry teams.  We even have one group name ‘bee@our-church-url.com’.  This goes to the gal that works with the beehives we have on the roof of our church.

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What is an email address anyway?

An email address is the electronic equivalent of the street address, as - John Jones at 123 Main Street.  This tells the postal service where to deliver mail and packages to you.  An email address does the same over the World Wide Web; WWW; the Internet.  It is unique to each person, so wherever you are in the world and have access to the internet, you can read your mail because it was delivered to your electronic mail box

An email address can look like this (johnjones@mailserver.com) and is made up of two parts:

·    The first is the name unique to you in your email server, as: john.doe or johndoe.  It can contain numbers, letters, and some special characters (better limited to commas or periods for ease of use). 

·    The second part is the name of the service (URL) which handles groups of emails and web pages, as: hotmail.com or gmail.com.  You don’t have much control over this portion of the email address except from which server you buy the service - unless you purchase and maintain your own web page - email me for a price.

Every time you move to a new mailbox service, as: hotmail, you get a new email address and everyone sending email to you will need to change your address.

  This is one problem we solve for you here.  If you use the pseudo-addresses within HOWWETALK, you never have to change the email name by which you are known.  There is a detailed description in the Overview section.  Once you are set up with a pseudo-address others never have to wonder how to get to you even if change your true address many times.

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What is a 'pseudo-address' vs. a 'true-address'

The word 'pseudo' means not genuine; spurious or sham. So 'pseudo-address' just means 'not a true address' so that is the difference.  One is an actual address (registered on the web - but you don't have to worry about how) and the other, the 'pseudo',  is not 'registered',  The pseudo, as used here, is really just an index to a list that has your 'true address'.   So if Joe Jones has a true email address of 'lovemeallofyou123456kiss@gmail'.com, we can set up a pseudo-address for Joe in HOWWETALK as 'joe.jones@your_site.com'.

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What if you quit the business – how will this be maintained?

As I mention elsewhere, I am old enough to be retired.  My son, also in the IT trade, is my immediate backup.  If I am unable to perform the required maintenance, he will do the work.  Failing that, there are several IT professionals active in my church which will be able to provide intermediate service if needed.

If the Lord blesses us all and thousands of you request changes regularly, there are enough funds in the programs to hire a professional as needed.

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Can I do this myself?

Yes - probably - maybe ! ?  Here is what you need at a minimum:

·      A knowledge of domain internal element maintenance

·      Able to balance a network across multiple email serves as required

·      How to inspect email errors that occur from time to time - some human, some server related, some just education

·      A good knowledge of, at least, a minimum of data base concepts

·      Someone prepared to spend several hours a week on occasion to handle 'opportunities/errors'

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If we build it will our people come?

Well, that's a great question!

Some more than others at first, but as your electronic communication grows, so will the usage - and benefits.

Is your church really interested in Community?

Do they already have a method of sharing ideas and opportunities?

Are they prepared to really trust one another as brothers and sisters, to share ideas, ignoring who gets the credit?

WELL - probably not - at least in the way they know they should - in the way they want.

Your leaders need to 'buy in' on extending this email conversation to enhance community growth.

For more help here, look at the FAQ references below - , "Are there books and references I can study?", below.

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Most of our folks do not have email support?

We have a similar situation in our church.  Not many but a few.  We long ago set up a phone call list to handle the (mostly elderly) folks in that situation.  You probably have the same.  However, the benefit gained from those who can be active has power and may be part of the discussion you have in addressing similar communication opportunities.
If, indeed, you have a very large percentage of such folks, this is probably not the overall solution to improve conversation in community which is the goal of HOWWETALK, but let's talk - maybe we can see a way or alternates - see
Contact Us.

It is quite possible that there is a core of people that could find benefit in installing this as a root to allow it to expand as conditions and awareness change.

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Most of our folks do not have PCs or smart phones?

See 'not have email support' above.

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How to start

Are there books and references I can study?

           Interesting you should ask.  Our church has benefited, and grown, over the last several years in many ways. They are both a source and benefited from our discussions. These three books are all by the same author and are read nation wide.

You don't need them, but they give you some background information on how we grew to appreciate the value of good communication processes to build community.   They can be purchased from many sources, but here are the Amazon links:

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How do I get started?

Well, there are a few first steps:

Look over the Implementation page and check out the first few steps, then send me an email with your phone number and any thoughts, questions, or problems you have and we'll talk a bit.

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How long does it take to get started?

There are several actions to consider –
          talk up the concept with a few decision makers in your organization
          study the Implementation page as a beginning to see what is required on your part
          contact me so we can discuss your organization, needs, current status, how we will work together
          determine who could be a solid contact there
          consider the options of costing and payments
          depending on the size of your organization and any backlog I may have, it could take from one to several weeks to get the base installed. 
          then it will take some education and promotion by you in your organization/church to really start seeing the benefits.

   So - a month or two to really be flying. 

    TANSTAAFL  -There ain't no such thing as a free lunch! - But it is fun and beneficial to be flying!

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Will my email run slower with HOWWETALK?

My experience with this system, which I have used for years, is that you cannot ever pinpoint exactly where a slowdown occurs in the WWW email sub-system.  HOWWETALK puts one more link (one computer function) between where you send and where the mail is received.  In theory, there cannot be more than seconds added to the delivery time.  I’ve never been able to detect any delay personally.

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What about security?

Internal Security - HOWWETALK knows nothing about you but your email addresses and we neither sell nor give this info to anyone.  The master file for such data as we have (your addresses) is kept on my own personal network made of several different PCs which are in my own home and is backed up daily to other devices on that same internal network.  The network is protected by any of several protection systems such as (currently) Acronis and Avast.  Your files will be backed up on a cloud system of my choice.  The cost of this is included in the general maintenance fees.

No finance data is kept on HOWWETALK.  We don’t even SEE such data except billing and payments for the system.  See any other comments that might address this in the method of payment sections.

External Security - (Hacking)

The domains (URLs) we use are hosted on the servers of any of several major hosting companies, all of which handle thousands of emails every day.  There is no functional limitation on the size or number of emails you can have.  Such limitations as may exist are the same as your own true mailbox provider would impose – ex.: you probably can’t do a million emails at one time and you likely can’t send a multi-gigabyte attachment.  If your needs do demand thousands of concurrent emails we will spread the load across several servers if necessary - for a cost, of course.

Concerning - hacking and other matters - HOWWETALK, using standard email tools, is as likely (and as unlikely) to be hacked as any email in the world. 

I am always willing to discuss any aspect of this.  Just email me.

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What's the cost?  (Costs shown are typical and may change after April, 2021)

Since each setup is unique, we have a base setup procedure. From there we essentially work ala carte. A fixed base cost to set up the web support (regardless of the size of your church) is then adjusted according to the anticipated number of participants and a few other options you may choose. All this is determined early in our set up conversations.

For a small church which may have a hundred or so participants and 10% changes in the first year, the initial expense could be about $5 per participant.

If you had two hundred or so participants and 10% changes in the first year, the initial expense could be about $4 per participant.


After that first year, the annual expense for all but a very large church would be a flat rate of around $180-200 to cover the costs of web and related support areas.

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How do I pay?

At agreed on timing, I will email an invoice. There are two basic ways you can pay. The email has a link to PayPal that asks how you want to pay, as credit card and other options. This is probably the easiest method for you.

You do not need a logon to PayPal to use this method. Shortly after you submit the payment you will receive an email confirmation of payment - or refusal if there was some problem. This method has an option to modify the amount and it will process as if it had not been modified. If you pay a different amount, you can write a comment as to the reason for the variation.

If it is different, I will get back to you as required.

I really do not want to support on-line card payments, so if you do not want to use PAYPAL, about the only other handy method is a check drawn on a US bank sent via ‘snail mail’ to the address on the invoice.

In either case you might want to pay regular maintenance in packages as you desire, according to the pay schedule. That way you need not be concerned about renewals for some time.

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How long will this service be available?

To the best of my knowledge, I will be handling this for years/decades to come.  If the Lord takes me home, either my son or any of several computer geeks at my church, all of which are my normal backups, will inherit the responsibility.  As much as anything can be promised in this world and in the vicissitudes of life, we should be able to continue to be of service till the Internet dies.

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Technical

What email supplier do we need to use?

See comments on " Can you help us find a host", below - and also in Implementation page.

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Can we use HOWWETALK.COM for our emails?

You cannot use HOWWETALK.COM for your emails.

First, it contains my system material and I do not want to disturb your, or my, content.

Second, it any were allowed to do so, all would have to be allowed to do so, and none of us want that complexity

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Can we use our existing email server to host HOWWETALK?

I do not recommend doing this at all. If you feel you must, let's discuss it. When I first started HOWWETALK I, in my naivety, installed it on the same server as our churches initial web site. This became confusing before too long. We had real email boxes sharing resources with the pseudo-addresses. You really don't want to do this. I fear my maintenance fee might be a bit high. Besides, as nice a guy as I am, you don't want me privy to your web site content which would happen.

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Can you help us find a host for HOWWETALK?

Of course! Actually, I need to be deeply involved. In fact, it is appreciably easier and more convenient if you allow me select internal domains and servers. That way I can do the adjustments that are needed occasionally. See comments in the Implementation page. If you folks have favorites, let me know. The problem/situation is - some services are more 'friendly' to the existence and manipulation of forwarding functions. A poor selection of servers can cause complications later.

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What if I need to change a true email address?

The basic maintenance operations in HOWWETALK are:

·    Add a new participant

·    Remove a participant

·    Change the true email address for a participant

Adding and removing participants is obvious.  Changing the true email address for a participant is a normal function.  However in practice I rarely have seen it happen.  It generally is a person moving from a company, regional, or older service to a national service such as HOTMAIL or GMAIL.

Also see comments in the Implementation page

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What if I need to add or delete members?

See comments in the Implementation page

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How often can I do any changes?

You can, and should, make changes when required to keep all percipients up to date.   The cost of changes can be included in a maintenance 'package' you choose or do ala carte.   See comments in the Implementation page

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Are all participants mail directed in the 'everybody' group?

Everyone in the church or organization should have a pseudo-address so folks can send direct to them, however some might not be in the 'everybody group'. Here a few reasons why that might not be.

Suppose a couple where one may not have any email presence (no true email address). In this case we set up a pseudo-address for that one and direct their emails to the other of the couple. So to send a message to Deb, use her name. Henry can pass it on to Deb.

Another reason might be a couple who share a common true email address, as bobnbev@zmail.net. To have both Bob and Bev in the main group means they would both get the same group email, so we may choose to not include one of them.

Sometimes we have a person who is not really a part of the church, we want to include with a pseudo-address for ease of communication. Ease of communication is what HOWWETALK is about, of course.

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Can I have my mail directed to more than one ‘true’ mailbox –  – why would I?

You can have any email address directed to as many true mailboxes as you desire (within reason, of course).  A typical example I have personally used, is when I am working for a company away from home for a period and desire all my email to go both to my personal email, at home, and also at my company location via my company email.

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How long will it take for you to make a change for me?

Following the procedures on systems changes in the Implementation page, you email me the information required for the change and we’ll generally be able to make change made within 24 hours.  We will send you an email to confirm the action was correct.

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How can a person's true email address be transparent here?

By 'transparent' we mean you never need to know the true email address of anyone in HOWWETALK.  OH, it will be apparent to you when you receive an email from someone since the 'FROM' has it - unless the sender masks it with an alternate name.  But, we never 'see' nor modify email content.  You may eventually remember the true email address, but you don't need to. 

BESIDES - if someone changes their email provider to another  service - as HOTMAIL to GMAIL, or changes their personal ID within their existing service, they will no longer be where you thought they should be.

I will be notified of the true address change and I change it in the index system.  So you continue to send to the assigned pseudo-address wherever the mail actually ends up.

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How do you keep track of all the names you manage?

I maintain a database of all required data, a minimum of the true name of the participant and the pseudo-addresses and true email address  - along with various control elements.  (Such as you care, I am a certified Oracle DBA).

There are two ways I control it. 

First, I maintain a database on my personal network.  On this I keep track of the (all) servers user in your HOWWETALK, dates and finances for those elements, contact info and billing status for you as a client, organizational rules you choose to invoke, and related material.

Secondly, the addresses being redirected, as joe.jones@your_server.com, are maintained on the servers of the major internet provider(s).  There’s where the real work is done.  Once an entry is added to HOWWETALK, it’s there – till you or I forget to pay the service charge for the URLs.  But, I’m paid up years in advance and they remind me of when things expire, so we’re all OK.  As long as you all pay me, or the provider, the renewal fees, I’ll have what I need to maintain the URLs.

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