A few times in the last month I've hit a signup which didn't allow me to sign up to something if I used a free e-mail provider (Gmail, Hotmail etc), and insisted I use my "business e-mail".

The whole reason I'm signing up with a Freemail provider is that I've had experience with these signups in the past, and you are wanting to put me on some spam list for selling me stuff. I don't mind ONE e-mail, but once you send 20 you are going to be added directly to /dev/null.

While I understand what the companies are trying to do -- qualify their leads -- telling me which e-mail I have to use bugs me. I read my Freemail more frequently than my work e-mail, and as long as you don't e-mail me too often you probably have a decent chance of getting read.

Does that matter? Of course not. Some business guy has made a decision, and that is the way it must be.

On one recent occasion, though -- for a webinar -- it didn't allow me to put my Freemail in, and I made my own decision -- to not give them a "business" e-mail, but rather to forego dedicating my time and attention to their lecture.

To add insult to injury, I tried to snag a free e-book, but it insisted that I give my business e-mail. A day later, without proffering the e-book, they happily spammed my unworthy freemail account, however.

I know I'm shouting into the void here, but here is an idea: Allow me to CHOOSE which e-mail to disclose. And if your biz guy insists you need a "business" one, capture that one along with where I'd PREFER you to e-mail me. The irony is that if I change jobs, with my "business" e-mail all of those likely go to /dev/null, while allowing my freemail allows them to stay in touch.