Markus

Have got 6 invites for a Gmail account if anyone wants one, first come, first served, PM me.

eClaire

Got one already, thanks

Sooooo, Markus. Have you had time to play around with it yet? Infact - has anyone? What do you think?

Mr.Manchester

whats a Gmail account? :S

eClaire

It's google mail

what would scooby do

It's insipid that's what it is..

most companies are banning it use now !

richs2891

sent a pm

thanks

Richard

Chris L

I've just got one - it's a little different to Hotmail and the like - but it's OK. Still getting used to how it does things. I know a lot of people are making a big deal over the targeted ads, but I can't say it is bothering me that much. There is plenty of advertising on Hotmail (not targeted I know, but it's still there) and targeted advertising has been around for ages on numerous websites. Time will tell, but so far it's OK.

Markus

Why?

I've had a few friends ask "ooh, how did you get that then?" with awe-like looks on their faces. Think they were miffed and said I just asked for one lol


** EDIT **

All gone now. Sorry if you asked but did not get one.

eClaire

Ok, I have 4 invites left!

Being generous like Markus Who wants one?



ALL GONE!!

Chris L

There's been a lot of fuss about Google's policy on scanning emails automatically to target ads.

Couple of things here: firstly I wouldn't use Gmail for my work email anymore than I would use Hotmail (unless I'm stuck and had no choice). In real terms what Google is saying it will do is no different to the stated policies of Microsoft / Amazon / Alexa etc etc. There is a general privacy issue here that has been raised by some watchdogs and other interested parties. Google would also like you to store rather than delete - hence the 1Gb inbox. OK the more data they've got the more accurate their ads are - but you can delete stuff if you want.

Also consider that if you use an online email account chances are that they employ anti spam and anti virus programs which do exactly what Google are suggesting - automatically scan the text and attachments of your emails. Are you going to trust Microsoft anymore than Google?

And finally - I'm an IT security consultant - I have enough programs on my laptop to track your emails and read their content if I wished. Most of the stuff is freely available. A lot has been made of the potential that certain government agencies could make of the Gmail databases. I would respectively submit that those certain government agencies already have all the access they need They don't need Google's help!

Unless specified, email is not encrypted and you will leave large electronic footprints all over the Internet. This can be tracked and intercepted - if you can be bothered. By surfing the Internet you already surrender a high degree of privacy. Google's actions and statements has brought that to the attention on many people who were not aware of this before. To most people involved with IT security this was really nothing new.

Incidently, I would prefer if all companies didn't do this - I spend most of my time explaining to clients how to limit their exposure and educate their staff on how not to get infected and prevent privacy breeches. But it is a fact of the electronic age that this sort of thing will go on. What is more important is that people are aware of it, understand what it is doing and then make up their own minds up on what they want to do.

Chris

beemerboy

well put Chris....

....let them all download and infect their machine's o/s, gives me more "paid" work to do...lol

BB

Chris L

Couldn't possibly comment - did I mention my daily rate is a very reasonable $2000 ?

beemerboy

..cheap at twice the price mate...!!!

eClaire

I have my own email accounts which I will continue to use. Surely signing up for one to have a look to see what all the fuss is about isn't that bad and doesn't warrant anyone in the know to speak us 'non' IT boffins like we are stupid!!

beemerboy

'nuff said me thinks..

BB

Chris L

BB - I know I keep telling them to put it up!

Claire - fair comment. The reason I posted up was because there has been an awful lot written about Gmail in the press (not just the IT press). Google is now a high enough profile company to feature in everyday news. Not surprisingly everything they do is under the microscope (especially with the recent stock market floatation).

A lot of the things that were picked up as problems with Gmail have actually been around for a while (or are already used by other corporations). In some cases they have been taken out of context or blown out of proportion. I'm trying to show that there are two sides to every story and I strongly believe a lot of what has been written is scaremongering. I'm actually quite happy to use Gmail in the same way I use Hotmail. I may even change over completey once it goes properly live.

So many of the problems encountered on the Internet are largely due to people's lack of knowlegde. They get themselves into problems without actually realising it. I guess this is why I have a job My post was put up to counter the inevitable knockers of Gmail - do a search (on Google ) about Gmail and you'll find a lot more 'bad' stuff than 'good' - that's largely because bad news makes for a better story.

Chris

BTW Claire - if i wanted legal advice - I'd come to you. I would hope if people wanted IT security advice they would come to me!

NotoriousREV

Not at $2000 a day, I won't

eClaire

LOL Rev!!

Chris, what did I tell you I done that night at the boozer? Surely I didn't tell you I did law?? I mean, I know I was pretty blitzed, but surely.... ROFPMFSL

I work in Economic Development!!

Chris L

Damn sure you mentioned law - no hang on your boyfriend's a solicitor - that might be it

Rev - that's cheap by some standards (I'm not joking)

eClaire

Noooooooo!!

I went on a few dates with a barrister!! (turned out to be a fat lying two faced Irish sod, but lets not go there in computing LOL )

So Chris, you are admitting to being cheap?

Chris L

OK Claire - I admit it - I'm cheap (and I promise not to mention conversations that took place under the influence of alcohol - or take threads off track (virtual slap wrist for the mod ))