Gmail? Anyone in CPF?

[logicnerd411]

I was wondering if any CPFer had Gmail, Google's new mail service. I'd like to know what you think of it, and if possible, could invite me if you have any free invites. Thanks much,

//Dan

 

[Empath]

I don't have it, but from what I understand it does have some unique features. Your storage is huge, and you're not expected to delete anything. Of course you run a Google search for anything you've received, just as if it was a websearch. I've heard that it also feeds you advertising based on the content of your email. Google's ads are some of the most non-obtrusive, but the idea of Google scanning your email has some privacy advocates a bit nervous.

 

[IlluminatingBikr]

Here's some Gmail info for people like me who know nothing about it.

From what I have read so far, I really like the idea. You never know when you might want to go back in time and double check what you or a friend wrote. Also not having to deal with sorting out your e-mails is nice. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

 

[PhotonBoy]

NYTimes: Google Moves Toward Clash With Microsoft (Search in Windows)

Google's Software Principles

Several people have indicated that their storage limit on Google Gmail has been bumped up to 1000GB (1TB).

I'm impressed by Google; I trust them more than Micro$oft.

 

[Minjin]

Google is really impressing me. Everything I've read about the company is absolutely amazing. If I have disposable income when the IPO happens, I'm going to try to buy some stock.

BTW, I just signed up for Gmail.

Mark

 

[IlluminatingBikr]

1TB? 1,000,000,000,000 bytes? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/faint.gif

Why not a googlebyte? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/poke2.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif

I love google; they are a great company. They have new software, which is always very ergonomic as well as easy to use. I have never heard of any glitches in their software, as they are very reliable.

GO GOOGLE!

 

[The_LED_Museum]

I just signed up to be on the "wait list" or whatever horse puckey they have before Gmail is introduced.

 

[raggie33]

man i hate changeing my email addy .but 1 gig is awesume dang hotmail is only 2 megs man i have to empty it daily

 

[PhotonBoy]

I figure I could upload 1 TB on my 56 kbps modem in approximately 5 years. If I start now, I could be finished by the end of the decade (maybe). /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

 

[logicnerd411]

The 1 TB thing was a bug... and this is why Gmail is still in the beta stage...

//Dan

 

[PhotonBoy]

There are plenty of Gmail invites for sale on eBay right now. The going rate is about $31.00.

 

[Sub_Umbra]

I love Google, but I love my privacy, too. When I search with google they get no cookie, no referrer tag and no IP within a thousand miles of mine. They are fine with this.

I won't be signing up for Gmail. The only reason they're doing it is to make money off of your demographics. There's nothing wrong with them making money -- but just because it doesn't cost money doesn't mean it's free.

Google's well intentioned privacy statements are not worth the photons they're written with. Has Google claimed that Gmail will be unhackable -- and will remain so in perpituity? Could you believe them if they did? The Government, not to mention your business compitetion, your insurance company(s) and your soon-to-be ex-wife would all seem to be just a subpoena (or a hack job) away from ALL of your emails. Your information will just be waiting there for someone to use in a way that hasn't even been thought of yet.

Google may claim that your demographic data will only be used anonymously, but that's what was said about cookies 'til DOUBLECLICK came along. And anyway, who needs anonymous profiles when everyone knows that the full data is still there?

Please don't take this as a rant against Google -- it isn't. I really DO like them. I would be lost without them. This is about the uncertainty of storing data in the long term -- in a changing world. It's impossible to foresee future events that could make your stored data a liability. During WWII the German National Socialist forces that held the Netherlands used census and population registration data to detain, remove and exterminate Jews. I'm sure that the system was never intended for that use.

I find that the most interesting thing about Gmail is it's context in our current society. We are living in this techno, 21st century, post 911 world where there are not only more real threats to our privacy coming at us from all sides, but the ability to cheaply collect, steal, catalog and store our most personal data has never been within the grasp of so many people/entities at any other time in history.

I have a theory that while many people claim to be concerned about their privacy, in reality, very few are. Obviously Google has really got quite an idea here, and I mean that seriously. Many people will jump at it.

This is happening at a time when many people are very deliberately seeking out maximum security email systems -- and paying for them. The range of behavior on this is extremely wide. It is going to be interesting to watch.

I could go farther -- but then I'd have to kill you.

 

[IlluminatingBikr]

Sub_Umbra,

You seem to have some inside on this. Can you tell how at least how you have all this inside?

 

[Sub_Umbra]

[ QUOTE ]
IlluminatingBikr said:
Sub_Umbra,

You seem to have some inside on this. Can you tell how at least how you have all this inside?

[/ QUOTE ]

No, no, nothing inside. I probably just have a wierd perspective. I have been passionately interested in privacy issues for...over 30 years. Many would definetely call me paranoid. I will cop to having something of a privacy fetish. OK, I'm obsessed. I don't even get junk mail...
Thanks for not just calling me paranoid.

I'm also a searchaholic. That alters the way I look at privacy. I use Google's Advanced page 25-75 times a day. I've written Help guides for 14 of the search engines that I use the most. I find things for people, on a case by case basis, usually by referral, BUT NEVER FOR MONEY. Find long lost kids, parents -- usually lost cause stuff. (I'm home all the time) I have found some very wierd things for people, over the years. I mention the finding of things only because the things I find have deepened my appreciation for whatever privacy can be had in the 21st century.

I just don't take my privacy for granted. I really don't like where privacy is going. It's not Google. It's not the Govt. It's EVERYONE. Anyone with very modest means can have your data, either illegally or legally. If they break the law to get your data and they get caught they usually face a very slight penalty.

For a while I wrote a privacy newsletter that had a very narrow distribution. I guess what I'm trying to say is that while I have no 'inside' connection on what's going on, I have thought about these issues for so many years that I have to actually sort out the reasons when I try to write them down -- because I don't really think about it that much on a conscious level anymore.

Back a little closer to the original question--
Everything Google does costs money, and today almost all tech businesses are running somewhat cautious and close to the bone. Google has been selling preferred placement on the engine for some time -- for money -- got to. Nothing wrong in that. They've already said that the ads in Gmail will be targeted by content, so we're into demographics already. (Actually, the whole reason for all of the free Google search engines is to gather demographics to make a living off of now, and to use in as yet unknown ways to make money in the future. I didn't mean for that to sound so sinister -- it's just a great resource to have for the future. That's the real reason that ALL of the big search engines are able to be free.) The main thing to remember is that Gmail will have to pay for itself somehow, in a relatively tight, competative market. I didn't mean to infer that there was anything underhanded about how Google plans on using the info it gleans -- only that the price of Gmail is actually the use of your data -- and there are often unintended consequences in data storage decisions, IMO. Aside from the possibilities I brought up in my 1st post, to add a couple more, what happens to the security of your data if their policys change? What if they spin off that part of the company in a few years and the folks they sell to decide to do something different? What if hard times fall on Google and they had to sell off Gmail cheaply, to save the rest of the company? They would have no say in the new owners policies.

Under Gmails privacy policy you'ld probably still need a bulletproof, for pay, premium email service because some business AND personal mail will always prove to be far too confidential for Gmail. Just some thoughts. Like I said, this really interests me.

IMO there are many serious privacy issues that any potential Gmail subscriber must weigh. But everyone has different priorities.

While I may sound very negative about Google, I am not. IMO Google is the most benign of ALL the engines. As I mentioned in my 1st post Google requires neither a cookie or a referrer tag. It's up to you -- that's cool. Google uses no Javascript on ANY of it's engines -- that's way cool from a privacy standpoint. (I last checked a couple months ago) Google uses no 'web bugs' in any of their engines, unlike some. No E-Tags, either. In spite of all the Google-bashing I see, their policys are the most consistantly privacy friendly of any engines on the web. So I'm not at all down on Google.

OK...now you can call me paranoid...

 

[Sinjz]

Like logicnerd411, I also would like an invite to Gmail. If someone has an invite to give out, please consider me. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif My email is in my profile. If I get one, I'll invite CPF'er first. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Maybe we should make a list of those who are interested. If people want to try 'swapping' for one, here a link to Gmail swap. Good luck! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[metalhed]

I guess I just don't see the advantages of Gmail.

If the US Postal Service started offering oversized mail boxes, I wouldn't be interested. So why should I get excited over huge e-mail storage capability?

When I check my e-mail, the message is downloaded to my computer, and I have more hard drive space to store mail than Google can offer. OK, maybe not the terrabyte storage some users got by mistake, but their intended offered storage. If I want a 'relatively' long-term storage medium, I'll just burn my mail files to a CD.

The idea of storing my e-mail on someone else's hard drive...with the knowledge it may be scanned for demographic info...makes no sense. I agree with Sub_Umbra, privacy is too valuable to jeopardize for no real reason.

 

[naromtap]

well put Sambra!!! I've signed up for an invitation out of curiosity but you've just articulated all my concerns/perfectly!!

 

[naromtap]

err sorry, meant to read concerns/fears perfectly & I wont be using it for anything serious - just for a play!