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Topic: Browser

Best Web email service: Gmail

Summary: CNET has just started what will be an intriguing series comparing the 'web 2.0' apps of the Big 3 Internet companies: "The companies aim to integrate their multiple services and serve up new and comprehensive suites that capture your exclusive attention and loyalty, but does one brand stand out above the rest?

Richard MacManus

By Richard MacManus for Web 2.0 Explorer |

CNET has just started what will be an intriguing series comparing the 'web 2.0' apps of the Big 3 Internet companies:

"The companies aim to integrate their multiple services and serve up new and comprehensive suites that capture your exclusive attention and loyalty, but does one brand stand out above the rest? Stay tuned in the weeks ahead as we examine the new, dynamic e-mail and calendar services, maps, and more from Yahoo, Google, Microsoft, and their scrappy contenders."

gmail.gifThey've started out by comparing the web email services of the 3: Gmail, Yahoo Mail beta and Windows Live Mail. Here's a comprehensive feature comparison chart. The verdict is one I totally agree with: Gmail is the best web email service. CNET's Elsa Wenzel concludes:

"...all this dragging and dropping [of Yahoo Mail and Windows Live Mail] seems primitive next to Gmail's automated labeling options. We give the Web 2.0 edge to Gmail for thinking outside the box. Gmail's integration with Google Calendar, Chat, and Maps feels logical and not forced, and if there have to be ads on the page, we prefer Google's text messages off to the side over Microsoft's banner ads any day. Furthermore, true to the Web 2.0 spirit of sharing, Gmail's open code enables devotees to hack new features."

Those reasons and more are why I named Gmail the 'best of breed' web email product in my Web Office suite roundup a couple of months ago. As I noted then, Gmail was probably the first email system that was built purely for the Web. The drag and drop functionality that Yahoo and Microsoft use is really a desktop email function ported to the Web, whereas Gmail came up with something Web-native - automated labeling.

Do you agree - is Gmail still the best web email service around?

Topic: Browser

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13 comments
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  • Does this answer your question lol?

    http://billy-girlardo.com/WP/2006/05/18/at-least-gmail-is-dependable-yahoo-has-failed-me-for-the-last-time/

    Sorry to shadow, this is the third time today I've bumped into you, we need a bigger net lol.
    BillyG_n_SC
    Reply Vote

  • Does this answer your question lol?

    http://billy-girlardo.com/WP/2006/05/18/at-least-gmail-is-dependable-yahoo-has-failed-me-for-the-last-time/

    Sorry to shadow, this is the third time today I've bumped into you, we need a bigger net lol.

    try this instead: http://tinyurl.com/gsjcr
    BillyG_n_SC
    Reply Vote

  • reviews

    How can you review three webmail services and try to figure out which one is best when none of them are finished! Basing your opinions on the quality or amount of features is pointless, because until completion we won't know what either company has up their sleeves.
    nicokw
    Reply Vote

    • It's reviewed for today

      Today, GMail is the best. No one is saying Yahoo and MS can't catch up and take the lead. The reviews are for here and now, nothing more.
      anythingbutmine0
      Reply Vote

    • Perpetual Beta

      nicokw, nothing is ever "finished" in web apps these days. The term 'perpetual beta' sums it up. Gmail has been in beta for over 2 years now and shows no signs of ever coming out of beta, as with most other Google, Windows Live and increasingly Yahoo apps too.
      Web20Explorer
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Best Web email service: Gmail

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  • I agree, Gmail rocks

    I started to use Gmail late last year. By January, I was hooked. After 10 years using AOL, I cancelled my service. Gmail web based product is head & shoulders above the rest. Although Gmail is still "beta", they are constantly improving the service. I can't imagine going back to any other service. THANKS Gmail!!
    jbinnyc
    Reply Vote

  • Gmail ROCKS!

    I can't believe I ever used any other e-mail service before Gmail. How did I do it?

    And, yes, the other Google sites (Spreadsheet, Notepad, etc.) all feel organic, not forced, and they are very much unobtrusive. This is the way webmail -- and the web -- should be.
    TexasBrian
    Reply Vote

  • Unreliability of GMail in December 2006

    I though GMail was good. However, around Christmas 2006 I began getting the cryptic 007 error, and was unable to send messages for two days. After the 007 went away, GMail behaved as if it was sending messages, but did not send them. I've used Yahoo mail since 1995 and find it excellent. I used GMail as an alternate address when I wanted to access two people at the same time. I'm now looking for another system; for an email provider to be down for sending for two days is not acceptable.

    I don't like the fact that it doesn't have folders.
    romielittrell@...
    Reply Vote

  • Unreliability of GMail in December 2006

    I though GMail was good. However, around Christmas 2006 I began getting the cryptic 007 error, and was unable to send messages for two days. After the 007 went away, GMail behaved as if it was sending messages, but did not send them. I've used Yahoo mail since 1995 and find it excellent. I used GMail as an alternate address when I wanted to access two people at the same time. I'm now looking for another system; for an email provider to be down for sending for two days is not acceptable.

    I don't like the fact that it doesn't have folders.
    romielittrell@...
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Best Web email service: Gmail

    hi everybody, sure till now I think gmail is the best email service!!!! I use till now couse yesterday I accessed my mailbox and I see "0 Mb used": all my messages (inbox, sent, draft, trash) and contacts are disappeared or deleted !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    and sure this is NOT a good thing !!!!!!!!!

    regards
    bluenrico
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Best Web email service: Gmail

    I don't know about that...I recently switched from my longtime Yahoo account because it kep locking me out and I couldn't get to my mail,and that's something I just won't put up with! I don't care what 'features' are available,I just want to access my mail that's it. So I switched everything over to Gmail and today I got another fucking error message! I can't win! So I'm on a crusade for the least mechanically deficient email provider.
    JoeSo
    Reply Vote

  • Gmail is the best, BULL S***!!!

    Gmail is one of the worst unreliable services I ever had. They don't care about the public needs, only what they want, and forcing people to use they garbage software Google Chrome, instead of make it universal all over in the world to make more easier for the users. Creating something, which is useless like access in to gmail take fore ever to get connected, screw up the system and IE browser. They don?t give damn S*** they got over paid; they think they will be forever??? Nothing and nobody forever!!!
    I am sick & tired of the google BULL S*** and I choose a more reliable E-mail provider!!!
    jozsinko46@...
    Reply Vote
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