Okay, everyone. This post comes as a response to several friends, one in particular (Kel) who have long raved about Gmail and mocked my cavewoman hotmail habit. I actually do have a gmail account, but I don't use it, for one reason: a pet peeve of mine is when people frequently change their email address or use multiple ones. I end up with several emails addresses for the same person, and I don't know which one to use. It drives me up the wall. And I don't mean minor pangs of annoyance- we're talking irrational feelings of hatred. I've done my part to avoid contributing to the problem by never changing my email address from the very first one that I set up in 1995, back when non-AOL email was sort of a novelty.
Here's the catch...I've been paying $25 a year for extra storage for the past few years, and since Gmail has a much larger space availability, it's sort of silly to pay for what I could be getting for free. And I know that I can have my hotmail forwarded to my Gmail address. But the thought of becoming one of those cursed email address changers pains me!
So, let's say I give myself the allowance to change my email address, once and only once. Should I make the switch? Convince me, Gmail users.
14 comments:
I think you have been duped Eileen. My free hotmail account went to unlimited storage over a year ago.
1. G-chat.
2. More aesthetically pleasing (you can choose your themes/colors if you don't like the standard option).
3. I could be wrong... but I think the other great things about gmail (searchable email and huge amounts of storage) have since been picked up by hotmail... but gmail pioneered it... so that's better... right?
4. It's hipper.
5. G-chat... seriously!
I get zero spam on my gmail. My hotmail is like a giant garbage dump. I kept the hotmail though and use it whenever I have to sign up online using an email address. I think this is why my gmail has been spam-free for 4 years. I also like the IM function. Of course my BU email is still working, 'splain that to me please :) I have been gone for almost 2 years now!
searching is the number one bonus... never realized how useful it would be but it is amazing. it will change your life. beyond that, you have cool themes, gchat, gtalk (i call my friend in ireland for free right from my gmail account) and now gvideo. plus, if you really really really don't want to change your email address, you can set up the gmail account so that it forwards your hotmail mail to you at gmail (this is now what i do with my Bu.edu email).
I wholeheartedly agree with the reasons stated above. I am slowly becoming a GMail convert. I would totally make the switch but as far as I know Yahoo doesn't allow you to forward your emails without paying $$.
While most of the previously stated reasons are very convincing, let's not forget the most important reason why GMail is awesome - MAIL GOGGLES!!
http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/new-in-labs-stop-sending-mail-you-later.html
i view free web-based email as sort of an evolution... i think most people our age started with hotmail in college (or the dreaded AOL), then moved on to yahoo when they realized how much hotmail sucks, and then (hopefully) upgraded to gmail as they got older and wiser. ;) to answer your question of which account to use when people have multiples... use the most recent (hopefully gmail)! while the gmail service itself rocks (and gchat and the twitter-esque status updates is the best part), my favorite thing about using my google account is all of the other amazing features they have added - calendar, docs (ESPECIALLY forms), picasa, reader (keep track of all of the blogs you follow in one place), the new to-do list, etc. you have everything you need right there on your gmail page... p.s. if you do make the switch, here's my recommendation: only use your gmail address for friends and correspondence. NEVER enter it anywhere online. however, keep the hotmail one (although downgrade so you're not paying anything) for everything else: e-purchases, newsletters, facebook notifications, etc. that way, your gmail will always be spam-free (or at least mostly)...
Thought ya'll would like this Onion gem: Gmail User Pities Hotmail User
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/33050
They've all pointed out the benefits pretty well. (I'd add that Gchat is my favorite thing ever, and I keep it open ALL DAY LONG.)
I think you're overthinking the "changing address" thing though. I know loads of people with more than one address. Here's the thing: YOU DON'T HAVE TO FORMALLY ANNOUNCE IT. Seriously. I get so annoyed when I get an email notifying me that people have changed addresses. What, like I'm going to whip out a pencil and change you in the little black book I carry with me? Just forward your Hotmail to the Gmail account. Then whenever you reply to somebody, the return address will be the Gmail. Then it doesn't matter which they use to email you. Most people just start typing a new message and use the address that pops up in their browser. (I have kris@web-goddess forwarded to Gmail. Some people use that, some use the Gmail directly. They're essentially interchangeable.)
So do it! Plus your account also works for Google Reader, which I LOVE and use to do all my blog reading.
1) I'm SORRY! You know I can't help it with all the email changes. :)
2) I'm relatively ambivalent between the emails that I've had. Its all about what interface you're used to using. Hotmail is a spam pit though. I now use that account for signing up / in on websites so all the junk mail goes there. I agree with the others- get your mail to forward, dont send out an email saying people need to send your email to one account and just reply using your gmail. they'll get the idea eventually and chances are they will just hit reply rather than typing in your address anyway. I just check both accounts i have and have any other ones forwarding.
Google Documents rocks!
I've changed my email address exactly once, last year, from aol to gmail. (My friends threatened to send me back in time to 1995 to match my email address.) I have to say I like it a lot.
1. In the Contacts list you can view recent emails with that person... better than searching through.
2. Easier signing in to Google/Blogs, etc. (for me anyway... I don't know much about hotmail)
reenio,
just make the switch. you don't need any convincing. no one will care and once they change your address, they won't even remember you switched:)
the only one holding you back from greater efficiency and in general, being cooler by virtue of email account, is you.
(molly just said, "yeah, i second the notion," while biting into a TBT (turkey bacon tomato sandwich).
All right, everyone. this weekend I'm joining team G!
Coming soon to a gchat near you...
Gmail it baby.
Post a Comment