Comments on: Is Google the future of e-mail?

Not necessarily, says CNET News.com's Declan McCullagh, who notes that there are more privacy-protecting alternatives to Google's controversial new service.

[tholderbaum]

I think this is overblown

The fact is that Gmail is not intended for confidential information. If you really are involved with confidential information, you will take steps to protect that data. What I intend to use gmail for is to copy critical email, like software registration keys, addresses and the like to an internet account that is not buried in SPAM. COmpine that with a useable search feature and we have a winner.

The privacy advocates should just back off of Google. I want this service as it has been described.

[tholderbaum]

I think this is overblown

The fact is that Gmail is not intended for confidential information. If you really are involved with confidential information, you will take steps to protect that data. What I intend to use gmail for is to copy critical email, like software registration keys, addresses and the like to an internet account that is not buried in SPAM. COmpine that with a useable search feature and we have a winner.

The privacy advocates should just back off of Google. I want this service as it has been described.

[dog0906]

GOOGLE... PRIVACY... WHY WORRY

I don't understand the problem... if you worry about the service DON'T USE IT!!! Go to a paid plan or keep your e-mail on your computer. My goodness, someone always want something to complain about. It google wants to scan the e-mails I send to and from my mom and dad about nothing, go for it. What do people have to hid?

What the real question should be is how Google is going to defend against SPAM. With such large e-mail boxes, members (I would guess) are suppose to keep the same e-mail address...

Now I read some lady in California is drafting a bill against google... it is a shame, a company does something positive and have to put up with such negative publicity.

I'm for it! I'll make sure no TOP SECRET files are uploaded!

[tbbrickzd]

People, This Ain't Rocket Science

If you have stuff you don't want the boss or the old lady to read, use your own mail client with something like Tracks Eraser and GhostSurf. For that matter, if your worried about what the boss reads, don't go there while at work.

DUH!!!!!!!

[dog0906]

GOOGLE... PRIVACY... WHY WORRY

I don't understand the problem... if you worry about the service DON'T USE IT!!! Go to a paid plan or keep your e-mail on your computer. My goodness, someone always want something to complain about. It google wants to scan the e-mails I send to and from my mom and dad about nothing, go for it. What do people have to hid?

What the real question should be is how Google is going to defend against SPAM. With such large e-mail boxes, members (I would guess) are suppose to keep the same e-mail address...

Now I read some lady in California is drafting a bill against google... it is a shame, a company does something positive and have to put up with such negative publicity.

I'm for it! I'll make sure no TOP SECRET files are uploaded!

[tbbrickzd]

People, This Ain't Rocket Science

If you have stuff you don't want the boss or the old lady to read, use your own mail client with something like Tracks Eraser and GhostSurf. For that matter, if your worried about what the boss reads, don't go there while at work.

DUH!!!!!!!

What about Spam Filters?

How do Hotmail and Yahoo (to name two alternatives to gmail) filter Spam if they do not read emails? What's the difference if a computer reads an email for spam or for advertising?

As for trust, what makes you think you can trust the future management of Yahoo, Hotmail any more than Google? Surely they backup their data just as well as Google does, not to mention your local ISP is likely to backup their mail servers. Can you trust them, or their future management?

Knowing full well that any email you ever send could be captured at some point, then why not use Gmail when sending jokes to your friends?

What about Spam Filters?

How do Hotmail and Yahoo (to name two alternatives to gmail) filter Spam if they do not read emails? What's the difference if a computer reads an email for spam or for advertising?

As for trust, what makes you think you can trust the future management of Yahoo, Hotmail any more than Google? Surely they backup their data just as well as Google does, not to mention your local ISP is likely to backup their mail servers. Can you trust them, or their future management?

Knowing full well that any email you ever send could be captured at some point, then why not use Gmail when sending jokes to your friends?