Gmail: Why use it?

[GQgeek]

Originally Posted by whodini

I use gmail mostly as a "spam" account; any website I sign up for (even SF) I give that address. The beauty is that the spam filter is so good that I rarely get anything via POP3 (another reason) that isn't meant for me. Gmail helps to keep my emails separated in my Mail program in terms of "business" and "pleasure."

I wish I had done that years ago with my hotmail account. Still, it's catching most of the crap these days and i've gotten myself unsubscribd from several annoying lists.

Imagine being Bill Gates or the president though. I think i remember reading once that he gets something like a million emails a day and has an entire department devoted to eliminating the junk and sending him the relevant stuff (only 200 emails lol).

 

[feynmix]

Originally Posted by whodini

I use gmail mostly as a "spam" account; any website I sign up for (even SF) I give that address. The beauty is that the spam filter is so good that I rarely get anything via POP3 (another reason) that isn't meant for me. Gmail helps to keep my emails separated in my Mail program in terms of "business" and "pleasure."

I do that, but only with multiple gmail accounts.

 

[Piobaire]

Thanks for the thoughts of passing the popper accounts off my domain through Gmail. That is something to consider. I am going to explore features by reading their FAQs this weekend. I do not get much spam, thanks to the measures I mentioned earlier, and have any docs I need on my BB, so much of this is moot. If you don't have a BB or similar though, I can see the appeal.

 

[kwilkinson]

^I notice you haven't responded to my inquiry. Should I take that as a no?

 

[tiecollector]

Originally Posted by B1FF

It allows me to have my privacy violated quickly and all in one place. I'd have to spend hours a day clicking on offers for Free Smileys spyware to do what Google does just by reading and archiving all my personal email.

yes, their privacy is troubling. Google's privacy rating is abhorrent and is at the same level usually reserved for phishing sites. I have opened a yahoo account for better security but I hardly get any email on it. I find it hard to switch because the search and interface are so much nicer than yahoo. I should make the final switch one of these days though, and block any incoming messages from gmail.

Originally Posted by landho

Also, AIM is now integrated into GChat.

Does anyone know if google just has an AIM client or is google now archiving all AIM convos? Scary **** if it is the latter. I suggest everyone use OTR encryption.

 

[DNW]

Originally Posted by tiecollector

Does anyone know if google just has an AIM client or is google now archiving all AIM convos? Scary **** if it is the latter. I suggest everyone use OTR encryption.

Google is archiving everything that has ever been said on the internets. Be afraid...be very afraid.

 

[tiecollector]

Originally Posted by DarkNWorn

Google is archiving everything that has ever been said on the internets. Be afraid...be very afraid.

Yes, but is AIM not housing their own archvies anymore? I knew someone who worked in the cyber branch of the local police dept and now works for the NSA. He said 3 years ago that AIM convos could only be searched for 2 weeks back.

 

[Matt]

I could put a whole bunch of '+1s' on the stuff above but wont bother, basically agree with the benefits others have outlined. Would also add that I like using labels and archiving more than I like using folders.

Plus I got a really good name on gmail cos I was an early adopter.

 

[onion]

I use it because it is the easiest email service to set up with Thunderbird (Firefox's email program). Also gmail.com is shorter in character length than hotmail.com or any of thoseother random urls.

 

[j]

Originally Posted by m@T

I could put a whole bunch of '+1s' on the stuff above but wont bother, basically agree with the benefits others have outlined. Would also add that I like using labels and archiving more than I like using folders. Plus I got a really good name on gmail cos I was an early adopter.
Yeah, your name seems to be really popular.

 

[Piobaire]

Originally Posted by kwilkinson

^I notice you haven't responded to my inquiry. Should I take that as a no?

I was attempting a new thing...just politely ignoring you

 

[GQgeek]

I logged into gmail the other day. I hate the interface. It took me a couple minutes to find the "button" to write a new email. I much prefer my hotmail account.

 

[chronoaug]

You are awful at the internet then.


My friend really likes the gmail chat feature because his work doesn't allow almost any websites that aren't strictly work. No news, no sports, no message boards, almost nothing. He can access email through gmail and you can chat on AIM through gmail chat which keeps him sane at times.

Also, as others have said, the spam blocker is amazing. Maybe once a week i get something while my spam folder is gigantic. Also, i can't remember any legit mail getting mislabled as spam either. I really enjoy the archive and starred mail features too. Helps me keep my inbox screen very clean while still storing and being able to locate important emails from the past.

 

[Earthmover]

I love gmail, having been an early adopter. In addition to all the things others have mentioned, I find their blackberry mobile application very good and easy to use. And I am going to have gmail in europe with quick and easy access, which is nice indeed.

 

[Matt]

Originally Posted by j

Yeah, your name seems to be really popular.
sssh...not in front of the fans J