cult of google

I have always been a big fan of free email and have switched back and forth over the years. I have tried Hotmail, Yahoo, Aim and a few other too and honestly I they all fall shot of what email should be… However since the arrival of Gmail I have and continue to be impressed… In fact, I am usually the friend that tried to constantly bombard you with reasons so as to steer you away from the alternatives. So as a tribute to the kinds gents and ladies at Google here is my list of the Top 10 Reasons Gmail beats the
competition for Free Email (and most paid emails honestly.)

10. I can use pop in any email client or forward its messages elsewhere…I know why would I want to right but still it’s nice to have the option. In fact, one the reasons I encourage people to stop using Hotmail or Yahoo is because of their dropped support for this feature…then again I could always just get Gmail on my mobile phone! (Seriously people…therapy would be an issue if you really need this…seek help.)

9. Integrated with the wide world of Google. Google Calendar. Google Chat. I can even see my email messages using an widget on my Google homepage!

8. It’s free (duh) and the storage space just keeps growing!

7. Loads of extensions and scripts for G-mail. For example… the Gmail notifier for Firefox (1 of many web extensions that are a must for using Gmail with Firefox.) and also Greasemonkey for Firefox gives you tons of scripting options (see this on the top 10 Greasemonkey scripts for Gmail) to make your Email experience even better.

6. Gmail also retrieves mail from up to 5 POP accounts and lets you use these email addresses as the From: line of mail. A nice time saver…now if only hotm…wait…we’ve been through that.

5. Organization. Starring and custom labels let me neatly organize my conversations and search options find emails fast.

4. Gmail’s filters can , among other things (like throwing anything with a FWD: on it directly in the trash!) archive, star, label, forward or delete messages automatically.

3. The name Gmail just sounds a lot cooler than the others… except maybe Yahoo..that’s pretty fun to say.

2. Ads that don’t annoy me. Have you seen Yahoo Mail, AIM Mail or Windows live? The most intrusive ad’s I could stand to put up with. I know nothing comes without a cost but at least Gmail’s ads are related to my messages and NOT annoying as hell.

1. SPAM protection that works and works well. I mean seriously. We spend a lot of money at my company to get rid of SPAM and Google does it for free at a level way beyond the results we get here. In fact, if it wasn’t such a pain I would move all 200 mailboxes to Gmail just for that reason!

So there you are…do with the info what you will. If you still have not tried Gmail, now would be a good time. Comment if you would…I would love to hear if someone can add to this or disagrees totally (though I can’t imagine why). Cheers.
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