Gmail - Are they really watching? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

jorgelito · 09-03-2006, 09:48 AM

So, I 've been thinking of consolidating, reorganizing my life. Well, not thinking, doing. That included updating tech stuff. I am interested in getting a gmail account and my bro sent me an invite. However, I read the fine print, (yeah, I always read the fine print) and it says they have lite advertising based on your content. Does that mean they read my emails and tailor ads accordingly? I don't consider myself parnoid, but that's a bit creepy. Is it true or can anyone clarify?

Kadath · 09-03-2006, 10:07 AM

The emails are parsed for certain words and ads are generated automatically. For example, a buddy of mine works for a pharmaceutical company. Whenever I get emails from him, the ads are about prescription drugs. There is no human being reading your mail and then writing ads for you.

ratbastid · 09-03-2006, 10:50 AM

Right. It's all automatic.

If you think about the sheer volume of mail they process, it's a reasonable conclusion that your personal data is practically anonymous.

Of course, it's vulnerable to subpoena, but that's a different issue.

jorgelito · 09-03-2006, 11:23 AM

Ah, ok. I think I get it. Thanks for the clarification. So then, in your opinions, would anyone recommend gmail?

MexicanOnABike · 09-03-2006, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorgelito

Ah, ok. I think I get it. Thanks for the clarification. So then, in your opinions, would anyone recommend gmail?

completely. it's great for junkmail(i get none). the layout is much better than hotmail or the other free email sites around. and they even include their GTALK messenger RIGHT INTO the gmail window. isnt that awesome? theres much more great things but why not give it a shot? it wont cost anything.

ratbastid · 09-03-2006, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorgelito

Ah, ok. I think I get it. Thanks for the clarification. So then, in your opinions, would anyone recommend gmail?

Absolutely. I use it for all my mail. I abandoned a desktop client about a month ago and so far I haven't regretted it.

snowy · 09-03-2006, 11:33 AM

I love Gmail. I use it not only for email, but to backup a lot of my important documents. And with the search feature, it makes it easy to find what I need when I need it.

jorgelito · 09-03-2006, 11:53 AM

Thanks, you guys, I'm sold. *begins task of swtiching e-mail systems*

Charlatan · 09-03-2006, 02:22 PM

I use it for all my personal email. It's awesome.

I second the convenience of Chat built in.

captobvious · 09-03-2006, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorgelito

Ah, ok. I think I get it. Thanks for the clarification. So then, in your opinions, would anyone recommend gmail?

Gmail is by far the best email available right now. Once you switch, you'll never look back, and you'll probably wonder why you didn't switch a long time ago.

cyrnel · 09-03-2006, 03:11 PM

I'll put in another gmail vote.

With or without gmail you may want to go the extra step and obtain your own domain. That can simplify or complicate things, depending on needs.

dd3953 · 09-03-2006, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onesnowyowl

I love Gmail. I use it not only for email, but to backup a lot of my important documents. And with the search feature, it makes it easy to find what I need when I need it.

Yeah, I use it for the same thing. It's great for saving homework (since most computer labs don't want you saving things on their computers) & it holds a lot of imformation.
& i love the label system instead of folders to save messages with.

robot_parade · 09-03-2006, 06:33 PM

Gmail rocks so much, I don't really care if they are reading my mail. ;-)

Seriously, though - it is an automated system, though it is possible that someone could 'break in' and read your mail - so I'd always be aware of that possibility no matter what email client you use.

Also, if you use Gmail, do you use the keyboard shortcuts? They *rock*!

http://mail.google.com/support/bin/a...594&topic=1546

Why move your hands back and forth between the mouse and keyboard?? Using the shortcuts is much more efficient.

cyrnel · 09-03-2006, 06:47 PM

If you're truly worried about confidentiality yet hate complex PK encryption tools... try Freenigma. Fairly cool webmail-compatible solution.

http://www.freenigma.com/

trickyy · 09-03-2006, 09:05 PM

i think chat is one of their strategies to keep you logged in longer
then they can analyze your searches, etc. better

09-03-2006, 09:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
jorgelito All important elusive independent swing voter... Location: People's Republic of KKKalifornia	Gmail - Are they really watching? So, I 've been thinking of consolidating, reorganizing my life. Well, not thinking, doing. That included updating tech stuff. I am interested in getting a gmail account and my bro sent me an invite. However, I read the fine print, (yeah, I always read the fine print) and it says they have lite advertising based on your content. Does that mean they read my emails and tailor ads accordingly? I don't consider myself parnoid, but that's a bit creepy. Is it true or can anyone clarify?

09-03-2006, 10:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
Kadath Muffled Location: Camazotz	The emails are parsed for certain words and ads are generated automatically. For example, a buddy of mine works for a pharmaceutical company. Whenever I get emails from him, the ads are about prescription drugs. There is no human being reading your mail and then writing ads for you. __________________ it's quiet in here

09-03-2006, 11:33 AM	#7 (permalink)
snowy Kick Ass Kunoichi Location: Oregon	I love Gmail. I use it not only for email, but to backup a lot of my important documents. And with the search feature, it makes it easy to find what I need when I need it. __________________ If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

09-03-2006, 02:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	I use it for all my personal email. It's awesome. I second the convenience of Chat built in. __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

09-03-2006, 03:11 PM	#11 (permalink)
cyrnel Adequate Location: In my angry-dome.	I'll put in another gmail vote. With or without gmail you may want to go the extra step and obtain your own domain. That can simplify or complicate things, depending on needs. __________________ There are a vast number of people who are uninformed and heavily propagandized, but fundamentally decent. The propaganda that inundates them is effective when unchallenged, but much of it goes only skin deep. If they can be brought to raise questions and apply their decent instincts and basic intelligence, many people quickly escape the confines of the doctrinal system and are willing to do something to help others who are really suffering and oppressed." -Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media, p. 195

09-03-2006, 10:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	Right. It's all automatic. If you think about the sheer volume of mail they process, it's a reasonable conclusion that your personal data is practically anonymous. Of course, it's vulnerable to subpoena, but that's a different issue.

09-03-2006, 11:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
jorgelito All important elusive independent swing voter... Location: People's Republic of KKKalifornia	Ah, ok. I think I get it. Thanks for the clarification. So then, in your opinions, would anyone recommend gmail?

09-03-2006, 11:53 AM	#8 (permalink)
jorgelito All important elusive independent swing voter... Location: People's Republic of KKKalifornia	Thanks, you guys, I'm sold. begins task of swtiching e-mail systems

09-03-2006, 06:33 PM	#13 (permalink)
robot_parade Junkie Location: San Antonio, TX	Gmail rocks so much, I don't really care if they are reading my mail. ;-) Seriously, though - it is an automated system, though it is possible that someone could 'break in' and read your mail - so I'd always be aware of that possibility no matter what email client you use. Also, if you use Gmail, do you use the keyboard shortcuts? They rock! http://mail.google.com/support/bin/a...594&topic=1546 Why move your hands back and forth between the mouse and keyboard?? Using the shortcuts is much more efficient.

09-03-2006, 06:47 PM	#14 (permalink)
cyrnel Adequate Location: In my angry-dome.	If you're truly worried about confidentiality yet hate complex PK encryption tools... try Freenigma. Fairly cool webmail-compatible solution. http://www.freenigma.com/ __________________ There are a vast number of people who are uninformed and heavily propagandized, but fundamentally decent. The propaganda that inundates them is effective when unchallenged, but much of it goes only skin deep. If they can be brought to raise questions and apply their decent instincts and basic intelligence, many people quickly escape the confines of the doctrinal system and are willing to do something to help others who are really suffering and oppressed." -Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media, p. 195

09-03-2006, 09:05 PM	#15 (permalink)
trickyy ►	i think chat is one of their strategies to keep you logged in longer then they can analyze your searches, etc. better