I am a private user of e-mail and am considering replacing my current
provider.  Have there been any useful summaries of what is available
which might guide me to an intelligent decision?

Hi! Thanks for the question.

I have found the following websites that provide ratings and/or
reviews of free email providers.

?Top 10 Free Email Services?
 http://email.about.com/cs/freeemailreviews/tp/free_email.htm

FEPG.net Top 5 Providers
http://www.fepg.net/top5.html 

FEPG.net: Comprehensive Free Email Providers Review
http://www.fepg.net/reviews.html

Email Addresses Reviews
http://www.emailaddresses.com/email_web.htm

?The Best Free Email - product ratings?
http://www.ciao.co.uk/rating/The_Best_Free_Email.html

Psike.com: Free Email Reviews
http://www.psike.com/free-email/free-email-accounts/index.htm 


Search terms used:                              
?free email? "free web email" reviews ratings   
                     
I hope these links would help you in your research. Before rating this
answer, please ask for a clarification if you have a question or if
you would need further information.
                             
Thanks for visiting us.                             
                             
Regards,                             
Easterangel-ga                             
Google Answers Researcher

You gave me what I asked for - a fair ten dollars worth - but I
haven't checked any   of them out yet - thanks - sdf.

Hi finler,

I did not visit any of the given links in the answer, but I can highly
recommend MyWay.com's free e-mail. Unlike some, it has NO advertising,
and gives you more space than most. One great feature is the 'Report
as SPAM" button on your Read MEssage Page. The site is also color
customizabale to your liking! Sign up is short and simple, very few
questions to answer.

www.myway.com

Regards, crabcakes-ga