Okay folks. Maybe I’m a troglodyte. But I need your help to get the most out of what seems to be hot technology. I’m starting to see why I need twitter, but I need you to tell me:
Why do I need to use all of Google’s services? I’m told they provide the best mail and online services, but I need to know why I would use this over or in conjunction with my MobileMe subscription. I understand that Google is free and MobileMe is not, but the $100 a year is (to me,) worth staying spam-free and not having my mail scanned to ad me. But what am I missing in Google-dom?
Why do I need Skype? I know that just about everyone on earth now has Skype. But I’ve used it once when my phone didn’t work. And I now have an iPhone. So what’s keeping me from deleting this from my computer?
Am I really missing out? Or can I be truly happy and relevant without these pieces of the 21st century?
My gmail doesn’t get spam, it integrates nicely with my Google reader (which is the best reader) and I can chat with all my contacts directly within Gmail. I use my Google Talk account with iChat.
I don’t use Skype. It’s a little more of a niche program. I can definitely see it’s usefulness as I keep up on several Tech and culture podcasts and I’ve used Skype to connect live and call into those shows.
I will support google because they are providing free services that work just as good if not better than most paid. ($100 a year IS in fact a lot.) The ads don’t bother me, because that is how they can afford to provide these free services, and they aren’t abusing the information.
@ joshmickelson – I agree that Google provides nice services, however they never worked as well or integrated as nicely as my Mobile Me services. I disagree that the $100 is a large price to pay, and call me old fashioned, but in my experience it’s worth paying for a better product. I understand that Google is a good product and is free. But I think there is value in paying for a better product. It’s why I bought an iPhone instead of getting a Razr. I could’ve gotten the Razr for free, but the iPhone was a better investment and provides better features and services. To me it’s worth spending money on a product that works better for me. And none of the 3 gmail accounts I ever had stayed spam free.
what doesn’t integrate as nicely or work as well? That is kind of a hefty claim.
For starters, I like having integration with the native apps on both my phone and computer. While having web-based services is nice, having to remain browser-based is a hassle to me. I do have browser based options, but I prefer working in native apps, and it is worth it to me to pay for products that allow me to do that. I also get really easy file hosting, web hosting, and photo/video publishing. I’m not saying that googles services don’t work well or are bad products, I am just trying to see if I’m really missing out on anything by de-googling.
haha, I think it’s just the 100 bucks that your missing out on, and if you are cool with spending it, then it’s all good! Sometimes, I don’t think mac is necessarily as good as the price tag associated with being a mac user.
Couple things…
1) With Google, you can use your own domain name for your email address. That means you can move it to another service if something better comes along. I’ve had the same email address for over 10 years, maybe 14. I can’t use it with MobileMe.
2) I like iPhone Mail, but there is no search. Google offers a nice webmail interface for the iPhone that allows you to search your email. I actually uploaded ALL my old email into my Google Apps email because searching there is faster than on my computer.
3) You can integrate Google Mail into your desktop with Google Notifiers, IMAP, or MailPlane. I prefer using the web w/ Google Notifiers for the blazing fast search and extras like integration with docs, calendar, chat, etc.
I use a google homepage (start.excesslife.com)
When logged in, I have access to all of the apps I use on a regular basis from one location; Albeit, browser-based. Gmail has gotten better. Anymore, I never receive spam, which is the only viable reason I would see for paying for an email service. I can customize my gmail domain to my website’s domain. That’s not geekspeak, but basically instead of it reading zack1457837@gmail.com mine is simply zack@excesslife.com). I can also access my calendar, which integrates and automatically updates with my blackberry. Weather, googlechat, documents, news, etc.
New free app – http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008/12/09/google-adds-simple-task-manager-to-gmail-labs/
I don’t see any pay-services adding new features as often as google. But if you find value in spending that money, then I agree with you. I also believe in paying for better services if I NEED them. I’m just not convinced anything out there is better than google.
Thanks so much for all the info @zack and @weldon! I’ve actually signed up for 2 new Gmail accounts, and am really learning how to put Google to good use! And while I’m definitely keeping MobileMe, I’m realizing the key differences and what I will use each service for. Thanks to everyone for chiming in!
Oh, and you can send and receive SMS to anyone via googletalk built right into the gmail. Just found that last night.
I’ve noticed that gmail’s new video chat program has better service quality than skype… Not that this is really an answer to your question, but if you wanted to compare the two services, I’d go with gmail. Plus, it keeps all your services in one place. I’ve got friends all over the place (especially having moved here from another state) and being able to chat and see people is AMAZING. Skype had some static issues and froze quite a bit but gmail seems to stream really smoothly.