Talk:Gmail

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Archives Archive 1 Archive 2 Archive 3

[edit] Should Keep The Beta Status

I noticed that the Beta "header" had been removed. I don't think this should be done. Google still classifies Gmail as a Beta. I think we should be following what the developers classify it as, because they obviously know best. Because Google still has it as a Beta product, I added the Beta tag back in.

Thanks, Speedboxer

I agree.--XMBRIAN 04:55, 8 October 2006 (UTC)

Agreed, just for the record. --Mambo Jambo 20:08, 15 October 2006 (UTC)

There is beginning to be an edit war on this page. Jammerpunk1089 removed the {{beta software}} tag at the top, which was previously removed, then replaced. Something needs to be done about this. -- Tuvok^^{Talk|Desk|Contribs} 03:10, 29 October 2006 (UTC)

Let's leave it off until it's thoroughly resolved on the discussion page. I contend that the beta notice should not be placed in this article, as the software doesn't meet the specification of the beta notice: it does not change "rapidly," the development is at the speed of ordinary out-of-testing software, and it's just as stable as the non-betas of its competitors. Sean Hayford O'Leary 00:11, 7 November 2006 (UTC)

i oppose on the beta tag, as it is not actualy fast changing or unstable, as Sean Hayfor pointed out. I don't object to including it in the text tho, I just don't think tag warning readers is warrented. Martijn Hoekstra 02:04, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

I still think that the Beta tag should still be on the article. Compared to other email providers, Gmail's development is quick. Plus, it still has the "Beta" in the Gmail header, so Google still thinks of it as a Beta, and I'm sure they know best about their Product being Beta or not. So, I believe that the Beta tag should be placed on this article. Speedboxer 07:07, 18 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Chat

In the chat section, it claims to allow up to three chats, when I have had four chats. I changed it, but if anyone feels the need to challenge this claim, I can provide proof.--James Delgado 00:53, 16 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] .EXE

Does GMail still purge out executables from attachments? // Gargaj 16:17, 16 October 2006 (UTC)

Why would you want to send an EXE file uncompressed in the first place? - Sikon 17:17, 16 October 2006 (UTC)
- This is a good point. And yes, it still does. You can get around it with moderately savvy recipients by renaming the file to filename.ex_. Then the recipient renames it back to filename.exe. This gets around the ZIP blocking, too. -- Tuvok^^{Talk|Desk|Contribs} 01:08, 17 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Screenshot

I've recently noticed in my account that there is now an advert for Google Talk in the talk bar (or whatever it's called). Do we need a new screenshot with this in? I would take one, but I have never uploaded an image and am not sure about the copyright status that this would have. 0L1 - User - Talk - Contribs - 19:08 22 2006 (UTC)

I say no, as I had one of those the other days, and when I clicked on it, it went away, and has been gone since. --XMBRIAN 01:37, 23 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Security

I heard a rumor that, although the login screen for Gmail is a secure HTTPS connection, the data being sent back and forth by AJAX is unsecured and not sent through this connection. Is this possible/true? — Omegatron 13:54, 27 October 2006 (UTC)

I believe this is true. Gmail sends your login credentials on an SSL connection, then transmits your labels, contacts, emails, and all other data over an unsecured connection. I don't believe it's the only service to do so; Yahoo! Mail doesn't, I believe, have HTTPS:// at the URL's start. However, Gmail incorporates a connection that is encrypted, accessible by changing the URL from http://mail.google.com/mail/ to https://mail.google.com/mail/. It can be encrypted, it just isn't by default. Let's all suggest that as a feature request to Google. Maybe they'll change it. -- Tuvok^^{Talk|Desk|Contribs} 03:19, 29 November 2006 (UTC)

Both your remarks regarding Gmail security are true. I would however like to refer you to the current state of the Security section (1.3) of the original article. It currently reads as though Gmail was all https and toots this as an exclusive feature. As you both know that statement is false. Voyagerfan5761, perhaps you should change the section to read something like your above comment. --NHelke 20:08, 24 February 2007 (UTC)

I have rewritten the first paragraph of the section. I think it does work better, now that you mention it. — Tuvok[^T@lk/_{Improve me}] 06:14, 26 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Redundant duplication

The "Google keeps all your emails forevar!" criticism appears at least three separate times in this article alone. They should be combined into one section. There is probably other duplicated content too. — Omegatron 14:02, 27 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] How to forward a batch of messages from gmail to yahoo email

dsaklad@zurich.csail.mit.edu
What ways can be devised for forwarding a week of received messages from the gmail inbox to yahoo email all at once?...

Does Yahoo Mail still support checking POP mail from outside providers? I haven't used them in years, but they used to have a Bold textCheck other mail function and I presume they still would. If so, configure Gmail to allow POP access, then have Yahoo Mail download your mail through Gmail's POP server.

[edit] Why are "Tips" sites valid External Links on some articles and not others?

This Gmail article listed several sites in an "External sites" section that linked to "Tips" sites that provided tips and additional information about the Gmail. These sites were included for well over a year, and now have been summarily removed. Reasons given include:

"Wikipedia isn't here to provide tips to Gmail users"

and

"Wikipedia is not a list of links. External resource should have and *encyclopedic* value. Links to help page, hints are usually considered not relevant enough."

While I do understand the intent of the removal, I fail to see how listing these sites goes against the guidelines specified in the External links Help page. The links point to Web sites that provide more in-depth information that is not appropriate for inclusion in a Wikipedia article, but expands extensively upon the Wikipedia content.

In fact, the inclusion of Tips sites and similar sites is completely consistent with the content of other "validated" Wikipedia articles, notably Featured Articles that have gone through extensive and rigorous Wikipedia validation. For example:

In the Featured article about the Canon T90 camera, there is an external link to a Yahoo Group that is listed as "a useful source of T90 and other FD information"
In the Featured article about OpenBSD there is an external link to "OpenBSD 101", an overview and information site.
In the Featured article on Windows XP, the first External link listed is for a "Windows XP Tips and Tricks" site.

So what makes the Gmail article so different from other "featured articles" that include similar links, and can these linkes be reverted back in?

Further, as a point of consistency, if some Tips sites are removed, then in fairness, all other Tip site links must be removed. I tend to lean toward the side of "inclusion" instead of "exclusion" where appropriate, so I would encourage that legitimate Tips sites to be listed.

[edit] mobile

There is a new j2me client for gmail. http://mobilepit.com/09/j2me-google-talk-for-mobile-phones.html http://code.google.com/p/gtmobile/ Mathiastck 00:31, 4 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] "Beta"

I edit this a long time ago (and it was removed by a guy with no life) because I was talking to one of the guys in Los Angeles who still is working on GMail as of right now and he quoted that GMail will probably not be taken out of beta "for a long time." His explanation was that as GMail adds new things, you can't really expect it to be "final" until it is "finally done." Phpcoder 22:24, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Reverted deletion of "Dots in usernames" section

Hi, all. I just reverted an edit made early this afternoon by 205.167.120.201 that deleted the information about dots in Gmail usernames. I ran a search of the Gmail Help Center, and this is all correct information, so it should be in the article. Since the dots are a similar feature to "Plus-addressing", which is in the article and was not touched, I put the dots section back. Let me know if I shouldn't have done that. -- Tuvok^^{Talk|Desk|Contribs} 03:23, 29 November 2006 (UTC)

I think we should incorporate the fact that you can add the plus sign (+) and the minus sign (-) to your GMail account and that it would have the same effect as the dots.

--Vvuser 14:28, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

This definitely belongs in the article. — Omegatron 15:10, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Competition s/b impact on the community

As a person who was constantly deleting messages from my Yahoo Mail account for fear that my 3 MB would fill and new messages would stop being delivered, the following text seems like it would be more appropriate under a section about Gmail's impact on the webmail community, than it's competition:

"After Gmail's initial announcement and development, many existing web mail services quickly increased their storage capacity. For example, Hotmail went from giving some users 2MB to 25MB (250MB after 30 days, and 2 GB for Hotmail Plus accounts), while Yahoo! Mail went from 4MB to 100MB (and 2 GB for Yahoo! Mail Plus accounts). Yahoo! Mail storage then proceeded to 250MB, and finally, in late April of 2005, to 1GB. These were all seen as moves to stop existing users from switching to Gmail, and to capitalize on the newly rekindled public interest in web mail services. The desire to catch up was especially visible for MSN Hotmail, which upgraded its e-mail storage erratically from 250 MB to the new Windows Live Mail (beta) which includes 2 GB of storage over a number of months. In August of 2005, AOL started providing all AIM screen names with their own e-mail accounts with 2 GB of storage. Another example of competition came from 30Gigs who were offering 30 gigabytes of storage, and was also invite only, but now offers free accounts for anyone." —The preceding unsigned comment was added by DigitalEnthusiast (talk • contribs) 01:07, 5 December 2006 (UTC).

[edit] Google Mail

When using Gmail with Hebrew language, the title and logo are also "Google Mail". Should this be noted? Psychomelodic (people think Baba Ram Dass ^{write your own!}) 14:51, 15 December 2006 (UTC)

Yeah, sure. —Nightst a llion (?) 20:04, 28 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Browser Support

Since November 2006, it became impossible to use GMail in K-Meleon 0.8.2 (using Gecko 1.5) and Mozilla Application Suite 1.4.x, 1.5.x and 1.6.x as they all hanged when trying to access the advanced version of GMail (I tried them all). Browsers with 1.7.x Gecko versions were unaffected (the earliest that I could test was Knoppix 3.6 with Mozilla 1.7.2); assuming that all Gecko 1.7.x versions work with the current incarnation of GMail, this would then also include all versions of Mozilla Firefox 0.9.x and up. This means that software requirements are just a bit more demanding than stated in the current version of the article.
-Mardus 10:26, 31 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] POV section template Privacy

I removed the pov-section template as there was no corresponding discussion on the talk page as to what was disputed. If the person(s) who added the template feels the issues persist, please re-add the template and include a discussion on the talk page Zero sharp 00:33, 1 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Related Products

So far this section is small. I can't see why we need to split it off. - JustinWick 19:16, 1 January 2007 (UTC)

I've now incorporated it into the Features section, and renamed it to Applications. Mambo Jambo 20:52, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

YTM (You're the man! or woman maybe?) - JustinWick 19:02, 22 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Merge Features of Gmail

I think Features of Gmail should be merged into the main Gmail article. I don't think there should be a separate article, because Gmail's features are what makes the article. There is some potentially good content to use and make more concise. Besides, there is still a section for Features, and it was never summarises properly, so we may as well bring it back in. Mambo Jambo 00:56, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

SUPPORT the merge. the features are what makes it gmail. If other things might have to move to keep it from becoming too large, the features should be a key point in the article — The preceding unsigned comment was added by Martijn Hoekstra (talk • contribs) 02:00, 5 January 2007 (UTC).

Support the merge. Features of Gmail definitely belongs in the Gmail article. -- Tuvok^^{Talk|Desk|Contribs} 02:56, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

Support —Scouter Sig 03:00, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

The merge is now complete, thanks for the support. Feel free to clean anything up, but it doesn't seem to be too bad. Mambo Jambo 20:54, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] 2.8 Or Not 2.8, That is the Question

Is there any way this be sorted out once and for all? Would it be against style guidelines to say "approximately 2.8GB"? "GiB" is such an unknown term and it's not user-friendly solution - I don't think it should be kept that way. Mambo Jambo 20:57, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

What about "over 2800 MB, that is slightly less then 2.8 GiB "? It is correct, and clear to me. However, will it be clear to everybody?Martijn Hoekstra 23:10, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

I say that's good, except for a little issue. How about "...over 2,800 MB (slightly less than 2.8 GiB) of..."? -- Tuvok^^{Talk|Desk|Contribs} 00:28, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Co$t?

How much does a Gmail account cost to use, if anything?--C J King 03:51, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

It's free. - Sikon 06:36, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Criticism

Doesn't the criticism section see a bit biased, at minimal? It seems to not be neutral... anyone else think a good cleanup is in order? P3net 03:09, 18 January 2007 (UTC)

I agree it's a bit biassed. I also did a bit of a cleaup, but since i am biased too, it's pretty hard. Martijn Hoekstra 21:29, 18 January 2007 (UTC)

Then how should we go about cleaning it? Wait for someone non-biased to come along? Flag it? P3net 03:58, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

if you're up for the task, be bold, and go for it. Martijn Hoekstra 04:05, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

I flagged it with {{POV-section}} so that others know it's being disputed. I'm going to go through and do my best to make it neutral P3net 04:14, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

OK, I went through and removed some of the stuff, and added a bunch of {{fact}} tags. At the state the section is, though, I think we should just start from the beginning with that section. Anyone else agree? P3net 04:25, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

You amaze me. How can users of a service like Gmail not be biased? Readers of Wikipedia deserve to be given the big picture, i.e., the pros and cons of using Gmail. If this means demonstrating the treatment of users by Gmail [with appropriate citations], then so be it. I don't see where the issue of neutrality comes into play here, as users have right to expect a certain level of service from a major corporation like Google. 194.129.64.62

I doubt P3net is trying to say that there should be no criticism, I know I don't say that. However, the way the criticism was worded was very biased. There is still the issue of structure in the criticism section. I propose to structure it a bit more to split the criticism in a webclient and a service part. Martijn Hoekstra 19:09, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

That's what I'm trying to say. I agree with your proposal. P3net 00:13, 20 January 2007 (UTC)

can anyone explain what the "attachment warning" thingy is? Again, a criticism section is needed, but if it can't be explained any further I'm afraid I have to remove it. Martijn Hoekstra 19:09, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

Umm... I don't know. I'd say we remove that part. P3net 00:13, 20 January 2007 (UTC)

I tried to do some pov-cleaning on the "Errors, Design Flaws, and Absent features" but a lot of it seems to be begging the question, i.e. things are just assumed to be errors and design flaws (as opposed to, say, someone's opinion that they are). Makgraf 20:55, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

I agree the heading of that part in not very good. I already proposed to split the criticism in Client, Service, and I propose to keep the privacy issues seperate.Martijn Hoekstra 22:06, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

The header has been changed, and I think the time might be ripe to remove the {POV-section} tag. The section does still need some cleaning and styling, but that's not a POV matter. Martijn Hoekstra 17:14, 22 January 2007 (UTC)

I removed the POV tag, as it's no longer a point of view issue, but more a minor bias, if anything. I'd say it's good as it is, and the article in general qualifies for its good article rating. P3net 03:07, 31 January 2007 (UTC)

The point about the calendar being unavailable with languages other than English (US) is not specific enough. I currently have mine set as English (UK) and have no problem accessing the calendar. Which non English (US) languages cannot use the calendar? Trig 10:51, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

The date format does not appear to be limited to MM-DD-YYYY. It appears as DD-m (01-Feb), dropping the year if it is still the current year. Once the year differs, English (US) language displays the dates as MM-DD-YYYY and English (UK) displays the dates as DD-MM-YYYY. Trig 10:59, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Mail Fetcher

I'm planning to add a section under "Features" detailing the in-progress Mail Fetcher addition. If anyone objects or has an opinion, please let me know. I'll do the writing some time in the next few days. -- Tuvok^^{Talk|Desk|Contribs} 23:54, 28 January 2007 (UTC)

Yeah, sure, go ahead. Put it in the Addresses section, under Features. Mambo Jambo 20:51, 29 January 2007 (UTC)

Will do. I'm working on what to write now. -- Tuvok^^{Talk|Desk|Contribs} 00:17, 30 January 2007 (UTC)

Added. I edited some other things in that section, too. -- Tuvok^^{Talk|Desk|Contribs} 00:57, 30 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Gmail open for signups

Just spotted that Gmail is open for signups as of this morning.

I added it to the end of the 'Registration' section, but that section needs a slight re-write (change parts to past tense, etc...) PlazzTT 08:44, 7 February 2007 (UTC)

What? I'm looking at Gmail right now, and no where is there anything about "open" signups. Proto Dude 19:15, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Actually, it is. Go to the log in page, and it is right below the username password text fields. They also seem to have switched to google mail from Gmail, though I'm not certain if it's for everyone.James Delgado 00:11, 10 February 2007 (UTC)

Gmail doesn't seem open for signups, at least not in Singapore. I clicked "Sign up for Gmail", and was prompted to enter my mobile phone number. If Gmail has made signups open to all, wouldn't several newspapers report about it? --J.L.W.S. The Special One 06:17, 10 February 2007 (UTC)

Now it is - source [1] and [2] --TheTall One 11:55, 14 February 2007 (UTC)

Was Gmail open for signups on February 7, 2007? I first saw the Sign Up link on February 13, 2007. Then, on February 14, 2007, Gmail announced it on their Blog. Speedboxer 04:16, 28 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Google Mail in the UK? Or not?

Just noticed that these two sections of the article seem to contradict:

"Gmail, known as Google Mail in Germany and the United Kingdom, ... "
"On December 14, 2006, at a cost of over $4 million, Google obtained the rights to the gmail.co.uk domain and is now accepting gmail.com addresses for United Kingdom users."

So is it back to Gmail in the UK? If so, the opening sentence should be changed. PlazzTT 00:35, 28 February 2007 (UTC)

Trying to sign up for a new account still offers me a Googlemail.com address, and the gmail.co.uk domain doesn't forward to Gmail as you might expect, so I'm not really sure what's going on here. Idumea 16:52, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

The second statement is totally incorrect, so I've removed it from the article. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by MamboJambo (talk • contribs) 19:49, March 4, 2007.

Hey guys, isnt it "also known" as google mail everywhere, and its just those two countrys that its not titled Gmail? Maybe the opening line could reflect that, something like: "Gmail, also known as Google Mail, including the UK and Germany (where this is its official name)". I don't edit this article so I won't make the change or anything, so its just a friendly suggestion :)
Ferdia O'Brien The Archiver And The Vandal Watchman 19:44, 16 March 2007 (UTC)

Google can't use the Gmail name in the UK at all. So use of gmail.co.uk addresses would still fall under that I guess, seeing as it contains "gmail". They probably just secured the domain for a future redirect. --A Cornish Pasty 22:32, 18 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Problems with Gmail and hotmail, yahoo

People have reported issues with gmail and hotmail. For example, I constantly get "Delivery Status Notification": failure messages sent to my spam box on hotmail when REPLYING to a known gmail address. My message in turn doesnt go through. A similar error occurs when some gmail accounts send to me. Supposedly, yahoo also has blocked gmail invitation requests. 134.121.179.87 21:42, 23 March 2007 (UTC)

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