If you're like me, then you have two (or more) email addresses. One that you use for real communication with your friends, associates, etc. Another for when you sign up for things on web sites, whether they be chat rooms, freebies, or other sites where you just don't *quite* trust the site operator not to sell your address to spammers.

For the past week, I've been using Mailinator. It's a fast, free service that fills a small need, but fills it very well

The concept behind Mailinator is simple -- it's like a General Delivery box at the post office. With Mailinator, ANYONE can look into any mailbox and read the messages within, as long as they know the name of the account. Any messages in the mailbox will be deleted within a few hours. So why use it?

I use it when I need to sign up for an account at a web site, or if I'm signing up for a freebie at a site I just don't quite trust. Maybe they'll send me emails forever, maybe they won't, but I don't want to take the chance and give them a real email address.

Instead, I'll make up a Mailinator address on the spot. For instance, when they ask me for an email address, I'll type in osc2003@mailinator.com. The web site I'm visiting can send a confirmation email to osc2003@mailinator.com, and all I have to do is visit www.mailinator.com and type in osc2003 to see the email. I didn't have to register osc2003, it just "appears".

You can try it now. Send an email to help2go@mailinator.com. Then go to www.mailinator.com and type in help2go. You should see your email!

I wouldn't use Mailinator for anything sensitive, such as online store receipts. But I use it all the time for web sites that require you to register. It's a useful tool to have in your Internet toolbox.

For more info, read the Mailinator FAQ.