Episode 27 - Gmail

Google mail
{These are some quick notes I made in getting ready for the podcast.  Not spell checked at all}

Where to start?  Well, Gmail, is a none browser specific web based mail system.  This means you don't have to have a dedicated mail program like Outlook, or Thunderbird or any number of other mail programs.

Mail is stored on a webserver owned and operated by Google.  Depending on you level of paranoia, this can be good or bad.

good: you can access all of your saved mail from any web connection.
bad: anyone who has your  password can also access your mail. Hopefully, you have not shared your password.

Good: lots of storage capacity - 2+ GB
bad: Google ads

Good: have access to all your contacts from any web connection.
bad: anyone who has your password also has access.  Potential for compermise.

Good: great search engine
bad: too much info

The contacts portion is ok.  You just have to remember that this is still "beta" software.  This means that they are still hammering out stuff, adding features, and just plain futzing with it.  It would be nice if you could store multiple/alternative e-mail addresses for you contacts.  I suspect that they will get this feature strighted out later on.

Message storage:  Well, you give each message you wish to store a label.  For example you could setup a label "Computer-hardware" and store any"label" any e-ail related to computer hardware with this label then archive it.  Labels are sort of like folders or directories.  The current system is flat, no hiracherial labels/folders. This can be either good or bad.

Chat:  Nice feature.  I use it a fair amount with Narlo and Bol in setting up the show each week.  I also use it with several friends.  Personally, I like to talk, so I use Skype whenever I can.

Spam:  Google's spam filter is one of the best I've seen.  Also, if something should make it through, you just "report" it and the filter will pick it up form on.  You can also configure filters as well.  

Filter, need to sort your incoming mail - use the filter.  Neat tool.I need to play with it some more myself.

One of the things that puts people off regarding Gmail is the Google Ads that are displayed along side your mail.  For the most part I ignore them.  Some people think that Google is reading your e-mail, I have not seen anything to make me think that it is true.  They do scan the subject line, this is how they target the ads.  Besides, I never post anything in e-mail that can't be shown on the evening news.

The mail system is just one of several tools Google offers.  They are not yet integrated and once they do it will be something to behold.  Imagine - mail, calendar, notes, all working together.  Gee, do you think that they might be some competition for another company that sells you a package to do this? We'll just have to wait and see.

There are several Fire Fox add ons for google mail.  Just do a Google search of "firefox google add-ins and you'll be entertained for hours.  Also, go to the Fire Fox extension page and you'll find several.

The end song this week is <a href="http://www.20grit.com/">20 Grit - Player's Heaven</a>

Running time: 48:50