Felix E. Klee wrote:
> On Sat, 4 Sep 2004 20:06:33 +1000 Michael Edwards wrote:
>
>>Is it just the amount of storage space
>
>
> Well, as for storage space: Other providers have been following up. For
> example GMX [1] offers 1GB of storage space in their free accounts. My
> vote, however, goes for Fastmail [2]. With an enhanced account you get
> 2GB of mail storage quota, although this is not what makes Fastmail my
> favorite. It's the features and service.
>
> Felix
>
> [1] http://www.gmx.net/
> [2] http://www.fastmail.fm/
>
I think it's about two main things: First, 1GB of on-line storage is
very appealing. That means you can have people send you large files or
pictures or whatever and you won't have to worry about maxing out your
5MB or 10MB free mailbox. Second, getting an e-mail address on today's
existing systems is tedious. You can never get something simple like
rob.bell or rob_bell because 18 billion other people have already beat
you too it. You're left with bell_rob16972 or something equally cryptic
and stupid. Getting in on the 'ground floor' of a new e-mail system
(free or not) and getting a nice, clean e-mail address is appealing.
The two alternatives you offer above aren't really direct contenders
though... GMX is a German site so that limits quite a few people from
being able to sign up and use the system effectively. Fastmail is a
good system (it's what my mailworks.org address is based on), but the
free 'guest' level only has 10MB of storage. To get to 2GB you have to
subscribe for a not-insignificant fee.
The other good thing about Gmail is that it has pushed some of the other
free e-mail services to boost their on-line storage. I think Yahoo went
to 100MB and Hotmail is going to 250MB.
Later,
Rob
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Received on Sat Sep 4 23:46:15 2004
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