So Google is in the testing stages of a free email service, Gmail. The service offers a free web interface and one gigabyte (that's about a hundred times more than Hotmail) of storage. It also features some rather innovative search, filtering, and sorting features based upon Google's search engine technology, and boasts superior spam filtering.
Another feature, that has privacy paranoia types up in arms, is that Google's targeted ad engine will apparently scan emails and serve small, unobtrusive text ads relevant to the content of the email. Google insists that the ads are pretty out-of-the-way, and most users have stated that it really isn't such a big deal.
Apparently, people are going totally batshit over this service. Google hasn't officially launched yet, offering test accounts to a lucky few, who are then given the ability to invite one or two other people to sign up for their own accounts. Folks desperate to try out Gmail are buying invitations on eBay, or batering goods and services at a special website designed to match those who have invitations with those who will do any number of things to get one.
Now, I haven't been fortunate enough to have been invited yet, but if there are any GeoffBrown.net readers out there with an extra invitation, and a desire to donate one to me, well, now, I wouldn't complain a bit.
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