The cogdell.org site is a non-profit organisation and is pleased to provide the following services free of charge, provided we do not generate a significant server load and can remain a low-budget operation. Please keep in mind that these services are free, consequently problems will be resolved as soon as time and budget allow (in other words, keeping the site up isn't my full-time job).
Thanks for understanding.

Email addresses
If you would like to get an email address in the form: yourname@cogdell.org, they are available (almost) free of charge. The only thing I ask in return for this service is a standard postcard delivered through the US mail. Without exception, I must receive a postcard before activating the email account. The postcard method is a good way for me to keep records of who's using the site and reasonable assurance that you are who you say you are. US postage for a postcard is 23 cents.

When the account is activated, I'll post instructions on how to access the email account on a site sub-page that you can use Netscape or Internet Explorer to read via the following URL format: "http://www.cogdell.org/address" where "address" above is replaced with the email address that you requested. I'll provide instructions for configuring your email client, including userid and a password. You can change the password at your convience.

Cogdell.org Administrator
Postal Box (TBD)
Rockville, Maryland, 20852, USA

The requested email address, e.g. coolname@cogdell.org

When you mail a card, you can let me know it's coming with a message in the box below. I tend to check the box once a week, but I can make a special trip if I know your card is on the way.

I know this scheme is a bit excessive and sounds far-fetched, but these steps help ensure that our site is not responsible for the over-saturation of unwanted (and occasionally illegal) email that is an ever-increasing problem in the email world. All received postcards are kept in a file in my basement and are not used for any purpose other than account authorization.

Cogdell.org has no means to block arrival of unsolicited email. If you need a spam filter, fee-for-service providers might be a better alternative than free-but-flakey (that's us). If you'd like to report problems regarding cogdell.org email users or difficulties using your cogdell.org account, please use the trouble submission box on the 'Contact Us' subpage.

Web cams!
As long as they don't contradict the cogdell.org site policy, we can host web-cams galore. I use one to monitor egress to my home while at work and offer the same opportunity to others.