You Would Think Sliced Bread Had Just Now Been Invented

Over at ZDNet, as well as at PC World, Computer World, and who knows where else, it seems that Google is the talk of everyone, once again.

It’s simply amazing.

All because someone realized that Gmail is now available for use offline, without a 3rd party POP e-mail program.

To me, I’m much less about the medium and more about the message. If I was not watching this stuff as part of what I do, it could have otherwise completely escaped me. I have a Gmail account; I think it works well. What I don’t think about is how the messages get to me, as long as they do.

Further reading brings the point home that it’s not simply about the mail. One of the individual columns on ZDNet is more slanted toward the concept of how Microsoft should be watching intently, and thinking how Outlook can be improved to the point that it will remain a part of the business user’s quiver (of ‘arrows’) used to get the job done.

That might be true.  I know many who buy Outlook for the scheduling and messaging functions, while leaving the rest of Microsoft Office out in the cold. If Google takes that over with this Gears-packed Gmail, then there goes the standalone Outlook sales. Some will state that Evolution is available for the Windows platform, but it is very ugly on Windows, compared to the way it looks on Linux.  (Yes, many will judge by looks - after all, if someone sits in front of a screen for 8 hours or more each day, that screen better look good to them.)

So… I’m going to check this out. I use Outlook on one of my machines, but only because I got it from Microsoft as a freebie. For me, Windows Live Mail works just great (for the most part - every now and then there is a bug that causes a nasty hang).

Does Google Gmail loaded with Google Gears sound like your next big thing?

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I have so little sex appeal that my gynecologist calls me ’sir’.Joan Rivers