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What I'm thankful for: Gmail
It's a workhorse, it's there when I need it and, although others have tried to imitate, it still stands as webmail that doesn't feel like webmail. So, this Thanksgiving, I'd like to say thanks for Gmail. I'm totally obsessive about my email. It is communication avenue number one for me and, frankly, it used to be a giant pain my my tuckus. Back then, in order to get the functionality I needed as well as the functionality I desired, I was stuck running my own mail server, webmail gateway (for when I was away from my normal PC), maintaining Spamasassin and using Microsoft Outlook as a client with a smattering of filters to keep some level of clarity.
Thanks to Gmail I dumped my webmail gateway (though I still run my own mail server, it exists largely as a pass-through) and with it a ton of administration headaches. Even as my email volume has risen dramatically, I spend almost zero time dealing with spam, and I spend no time maintaining spam filtering rules and software. Now I am a mail user rather than a mailsystem maintainer and, as a result, I'm able to dedicate more time to my actual work, rather than to the tools that support my work.
So, thanks this holiday to Google for Gmail. The webmail app that doesn't feel like webmail, and the first in a long string of Web 2.0 apps that allowed us all to look at and interact with the Internet in a host of new ways.
Comments
13
Subscribe to commentsRGNov 23rd 2006 2:10PM
While I agree with you about the features and functionality I am forced to point out that gmail's recent uptime for me, and many others too, has been worse than one of those free fly by night webhosts. Beta (over 2 years now) or not, Web 2.0 or not email being constantly down is unacceptable.
shadekhNov 23rd 2006 2:29PM
Sadly, i am forced to agree with RG. Gmail often goes down, and since i have come to rely on it, its quite an inconvenience.
It has, however, easily replaced all my other email accounts, having excellent spam filtering (which has got really good as of late..), the conversation view (which i have come to love) and the general snappiness of it all.
I tried windows live mail for a few months, but was positively shocked at the glut of usability problems (unlike gmail, its a true beta). My first experience with it was basically an ad that stretched half the page. genius!
The yahoo beta mail has had a lot of flak for its slow loading times. Cant test that....all I get when i try to switch over is an unhelpful "Can't open mailbox" error...from any computer. Apparently, it cannot work with my uni's NAT based internet service..the only site which cannot, as it seems.
AnthonyNov 23rd 2006 2:40PM
My friend asked me if you could edit the color scheme in Gmail. I never thought about this before and i thought it would be an awesome idea. Hopefully the Gmail team will figure that out one day.
LarryNov 23rd 2006 3:00PM
I have to agree with gmail being a great product..I personally have not had problems with gmail, so can only say Kudos to them....As far as MSN, and Yahoo email goes, a joke is a joke...It is time they got out of the email business and let those that know how to run it, do so....
WesNov 23rd 2006 10:32PM
I am also thankful for Gmail, it has proven to be the best email client for my needs both at home and while traveling. Outlook, Thunderbird, and countless webmail systems just don't cut it for me.
And I can't remember the last time I had a problem with an outage, must be over a year a go there was a spell for a week or two that Gmail wasn't 100% reliable.
Now if Google could just add a little CRM functionality to Gmail, I would be as happy as a clam.
DannyNov 24th 2006 7:45PM
I'm guessing that since gmail still has a relatively paltry number of users compared to either hotmail or yahoo and is growing more slowly than Yahoo mail is, that the other guys aren't going to be getting out the business anytime soon.
KoreVNov 24th 2006 7:03AM
To Anthony: If you or your friend is using firefox, try using this extension:
http://gmailskins.mozdev.org/
MatidioNov 24th 2006 9:53AM
The gmailskins extension doesn't work since Google added the new features. The author seems to have abbondened the extension as he doesn't neither respond on emails.
semutaNov 25th 2006 12:43PM
What doesn't work about the gmail skins extension with the new gmail? I haven't noticed any issues, but maybe I'm just completely missing new features and not realizing it!
Anyway...amen to this post! Gmail's insanely accurate spam filtering efficiency really makes me wonder how other webmail and software can be so downright awful with this pursuit.
Any solution to having to have two browsers open to have two gmail accounts open at once? I have my other gmail account open by its lonesome in Opera, while using the main one in Firefox.
EngadgetSucksNov 25th 2006 11:20PM
Sorry, but Outlook Web Access predates Gmail by years and runs rings around it in the Web 2.0 arena (it's virtually indistinguishible from Outlook when using IE 5.5+). I hate the ignorance that assumes Gmail was somehow pioneering in Web 2.0 functionality when it is anything but. Microsoft was innovating in this area before Gmail was a spark in anyone's eye.
Of course it runs off of Exchange but that is no excuse for rewriting history (and is a good excuse for using Exchange email services).
semutaNov 26th 2006 12:50AM
That the push functionality of Web Access is horrific compared to gmail (I just love hitting refresh and re-expanding the folders just to see if I have new email) is but one thing I could go on about. I use Outlook Web Access intensely for my office email, so I have more than a passing acquaintance with it.
Being indistinguishable from Outlook is not necessarily a good thing. That I can get my favorite pet peeves handed to me internet style is no plus. So, all I can say is that I completely agree with you that they are indistinguishable, and thus I use gmail.
Grant RobertsonNov 26th 2006 12:54AM
OWA was pioneering in its ajax-y-ness but, is horrible for day to day use. "virtually indistinguishable from Outlook" is stretching it a bit far in my estimation. OWA works well for some people. I just don't happen to be one of them.
PeteNov 26th 2006 12:36PM
I'd really love GMail if only it came with folders. It's the one feature that keeps me from moving from Yahoo.
FOLDERS GOOGLE, GIVE US FOLDERS!