Hi stobber,
There are some softwares that checks web-based email accounts. For a free alternative you can check
WebMailAlert... It will monitor any number of Web-based email sites such as Hotmail or MailCity and will alert you when new mail messages are detected. The program runs as a background application and places an icon in your taskbar's notification tray that alerts you when new mail arrives and allows you to edit its properties. WebMail Alert will relieve you of the task of periodically logging in to your Web email sites-simply configure your active email sites and tell WebMail Alert how often to check them.
And for a paid alternative you can check
AnyM@il... This program automatically checks your Web-based mail in-box for free services such as Hotmail, MailCity, iName, and many more (total number more than 60). Double-click to access your mail immediately, and compose Web-based mail offline. Check and compose POP3 mail, too. This program supports Outlook and other MAPI clients. The registration fee is $10.
These are not the only softwares you can use but you can give them a try and you can make a decision... Hope this helps
Regards,
ayhan at
http://www.freemailguide.com