GOOGLE PAPER ARCHIVE
April 3rd 2007 05:06
If you don't have GMAIL already maybe this sounds even creepier to you then to most, but for those of you out there who have subscribed to the gmail revolution, i have to ask: how do you feel about the new "google Paper"???
Let me explain, in case you haven't heard. Gmail, which is google's email server has a function by which you don't need to delete mail but rather can store it in an "archive" (my computer knowledge is low but presumably this means your email is stored on the web in a folder that you can access by sigining into your gmail account). As if this wasn't handy enough google has now decided that they will print out your conversations and mail them to you FREE OF CHARGE!!!!!!!! if you ask them to.
i know if you work in an office this is a huge incentive to make your company's email all GMAIL. that way you can archive conversations and then have someone else do the printing of it all for free...but seriously? who is it who is printing all this?
how are they paying for it all? through ads? how many hands will my conversation pass through before it gets to my door step? are there confidentiality measures in place?
while offering such a ridiculously cutting edge service to is subscribers (who also didn't have to pay to sign up for gmail....) is a fantastic marketing tool, it leaves me a little concerned about the quality of security in the archive function of GMAIL. both the web archive and the paper archive.
is this proof that anyone can get their hands on your email conversations? How does this affect a whole generation of people just coming of age whose entire lives, nearly, will be able to be documented through conversations and email exchanges?
Is this progress in a forward moving direction going to ultimatley be a distraction or an aid?
Let me explain, in case you haven't heard. Gmail, which is google's email server has a function by which you don't need to delete mail but rather can store it in an "archive" (my computer knowledge is low but presumably this means your email is stored on the web in a folder that you can access by sigining into your gmail account). As if this wasn't handy enough google has now decided that they will print out your conversations and mail them to you FREE OF CHARGE!!!!!!!! if you ask them to.
i know if you work in an office this is a huge incentive to make your company's email all GMAIL. that way you can archive conversations and then have someone else do the printing of it all for free...but seriously? who is it who is printing all this?
how are they paying for it all? through ads? how many hands will my conversation pass through before it gets to my door step? are there confidentiality measures in place?
while offering such a ridiculously cutting edge service to is subscribers (who also didn't have to pay to sign up for gmail....) is a fantastic marketing tool, it leaves me a little concerned about the quality of security in the archive function of GMAIL. both the web archive and the paper archive.
is this proof that anyone can get their hands on your email conversations? How does this affect a whole generation of people just coming of age whose entire lives, nearly, will be able to be documented through conversations and email exchanges?
Is this progress in a forward moving direction going to ultimatley be a distraction or an aid?
| 80 |
| Vote |
Comment by Brenton
Dr Spin
Tales From The Other Side
Blip Blog
Gadget Museum
Comment by Joanna
want to clarify
Comment by Brenton
Dr Spin
Tales From The Other Side
Blip Blog
Gadget Museum
Comment by Joanna
good prank though
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous