MacBook / Mail / Hotmail

Hi,
I have just switched to Mac after years on PC, lovin it by the way.

I have had a Hotmail account for years and would like to continue using it as i am about to head away traveling for a while.
I would like to utilise the "Mail" function / App with the macBook but having quite a few problems.

I have downloaded an app that enables the use of HTTP accounts, i have set up and account (although i think some of the details are incorrect) however, i cannot send or receive mail??

So the question is? what am i doing wrong, can i use the mail function with a Hotmail account or not? If not, what are my options for using the Mail function.....setting up a brand new account using .mac? was hoping to avoid having to buy into .mac

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hotmail should have some support pages which go over the use of hotmail with POP mail programs.

If all else fails, get a gmail account - they do indeed work with POP programs.

You can use Hotmail with Mail but I'm pretty sure you need to be a paying account holder?

You don't have to buy into .mac to use the Mail app - a lot of email providers work fine with it - like gmail, yahoo, etc.