Topic: Google Mail now open to all

[Clive]

Google has ended the invite-only policy for its Google Mail service and anyone in the UK is now able to take advantage of the web-based email application.

Google Mail, previously known as Gmail, has been available since April 2004 but only if you were invited to set up an account by someone who already had one.

Now anyone can go to www.googlemail.com and open their own email account.

Google Mail offers nearly 3GB of online storage space and an anti-spam filter. It also groups email exchanges together, so you don't have to trawl through your inbox for different parts of the same conversation.

http://www.googlemail.com/

[sam]

cool :-)

[mistybear]

Couldn't understand why it was invite only in the first place.

[chorleydave]

Is Google Mail worth having?  Has it any advantages over a Hotmail or a Yahoo account or is it just another method by which Google can direct "adverts relevant to your interests" to us.  Is it secure?

Is it worth me signing up or is it only useful as a spam bucket?

[Clive]

I've had a googlemail account for nearly a year and hadn't looked at it until I just read your post Dave.  There were just two e-mails in my inbox - both from google.  One welcoming me to google and the other telling me how easy it is to use google as my primary e-mail account.  That was it!  Not a spam in sight!  I'm impressed. 

[Simon]

That's because you haven't used the account, so they have no idea what to target you with, Clive.  Once they start scanning your emails, you'll get ads, unless you use POP3.

[chorleydave]

Thanks, Clive.

I think I'll have a look.

 

[Lona]

I've just signed up for it.

I wonder if the chat bit would be better than MSN?

[DJ]

I've used it for about a year now as my main email account.

Its spam blocker is so good, that I divert another 2 email accounts through it as well. 

If you are going to use it through Outlook or similar (pop3) access, just make sure you check your spam folder online from time to time as it can be a bit too eager!

Good luck!

DJ

[sam]

I've just signed up for it.

I wonder if the chat bit would be better than MSN?

its much better, as it can be based in the webbrowser and so there is no need for extra, s**te, software clogging up your machine.

I've used gmail for ages now, and without it I would have no idea what I was doing - their online calendar is marvellous!

[Clive]

and without it I would have no idea what I was doing

No change there then Sam.   

[sam]

yep!