Since it was made available, NewMexiKen has used Google’s gmail for all my email. Here’s why:
- It’s free.
- I wanted an email service I could easily access on any computer, anywhere there was internet access.
- I wanted an email provider that wouldn’t change. (Remember @home.com?) I figured Google was going to be around for a while.
- I had tried Microsoft and Yahoo! and didn’t like the clutter of their web-based email.
- I wanted to use my email with Outlook (now I use it with Apple Mail). Gmail permits that; HotMail did, but weirdly; Yahoo did but you had to upgrade ($).
- Gmail’s spam filters are excellent, catching about 99% of all spam. The spam never gets to my computer. I never see it.
- I am able to forward email from older email addresses (such as @comcast.net) through gmail, so I don’t have to worry about getting everybody to change their address book.
- Now gmail has IMAP (rather than POP) mail. IMAP automatically syncs my gmail with any mail application — Apple Mail on two computers, my iPod touch and online. If I delete a message one place, it goes away and isn’t cluttering up my mailbox next time I open one of the other email programs.
- If I delete a message inadvertently, it stays available in gmail’s trash — on the web — for 30 days.
- It’s free.