That word gets our attention: FREE! Jim Hamm notifies us, "If you use Gmail for your email client, here's good news: you've now got 15GB of storage -- up from 10GB previously."
There's some Unified Cloud Storage for FREE across Google Drive, Gmail and Google+Photos. After the first 15GB the upgrade plan starts at only $4.99 a month for 100GB. The next couple of weeks brings the staged roll out.
Cloud: Pro & Con
Here's a risk that Jim Hamm describes, "Storing 'stuff' in the Cloud has its advantages, but also a real risk, too. Take a read on this article where Google just shut an individual off from his Cloud storage. He hadn't done anything wrong to violate any of Google's policies, but someone or something at Google thought he had."
(Scroll down and consider the logic of those 95 comments already posted on that site.)
"Trying to contact someone at Google to find out why this happened is a lost cause. Fortunately, this guy had friends that worked at Google and they ultimately were able to help him. But thee and me? I think we'd be out of luck if Google shoved us off the Cloud.
"Which brings me to Gmail. For quite some time I've used Google's web-based Gmail for all my email storage. i no longer download anything to my computers or iPad -- I do everything online. What if Google suddenly shut me off from my Gmail account? All of my emails -- both read and unread -- are stored there, not on my computer. Not a pleasant thought to contemplate. I'd survive, but what a pain.
Here's Jim's conclusion, "I would never store anything of value in the Cloud. I much prefer an external hard drive for my extra storage. Could something like this happen with a Microsoft or Apple Cloud storage? I'd guess it's possible. Just something for you to think about when you use the Cloud."
About IMAP and POP
"If you'd like to understand better what the email protocol 'IMAP' is all about, here is an article that gives a good description of it," begins Jim Hamm with his trademark grin. He acknowledges, "Understandably, you may not care. If the client you use for email works for you, and you're not inclined to change, then just bypass this article.
"As an ancillary note, I use IMAP— and like it — but no longer use an email client, like Apple's Mail, on any of my computers or iOS devices. I use the web-based Gmail as my email client. That is, I log into Gmail on their server and do all my email reading, etc., there — not on my computer. I find this to be much simpler: all my emails are always coordinated and in-sync between all my devices, all of the emails I've ever received are permanently stored there (mighty handy to look up an old email from a long time ago), and I never have to worry or fuss with doing an update to my email program -- Google takes care of that for me — and I never have to tell anyone to 'hold sending any email to me while I travel' — I've got plenty of storage space in Gmail."
FREE Gmail Phone Calls
In case you didn't see this, Jim Hamm wants you to see that word FREE. "If you have a Gmail email account, you can make free domestic calls to mobile and landline numbers — at least through the end of 2013. Here is an article with further details. The person you're calling does not have to have a Gmail account — you're just dialing their regular phone number through Gmail on your end.
"If you don't have a Gmail account, it's easy to get one, and it's free. Click here to sign up."
Gmail Tip to Try
"If you use Gmail, here is a useful tip that is handy when you're replying to someone's email," Jim Hamm passes the word along.
Take a Look at Tips 'n Tricks
Maybe you haven't checked out Tips 'n Tricks lately on the PMUG website. John posts some good info there; the latest is Jeffrey Ian's presentation notes on printers which he gave to PMUG a few weeks ago.
How to Keep Your Email Address
If you currently have a .mac or .me email address here's helpful info from Jim Hamm. He says, "MobileMe is ending shortly. Here's an article with some instructions. . . Although I've got a .me email address, I don't use it (because Gmail seems to work so well) — but I think I've got it set up to continue in case I might want to start using it in the future."
Gmail Increases Your Storage
Jim Hamm says, "Here's some good news: If you have a Gmail email address, your storage has been increased to 10 GB to celebrate the release of Google Drive. Here's the announcement. I checked my account and, sure enough, I've got 10241 MB of email storage available to me. This is one of the reasons I use Gmail — I don't have to alert people to stop sending emails when I won't have access to the internet for awhile — I've got plenty of storage available. Another reason is Gmail's filters are excellent — I almost never get a spam email."As a side note: if you've thought about using Google Drive for storage of documents, it's not available for everyone yet — it's a rolling release. If you're interested, you can sign up to be notified when it will be available for you." New info: MailTab for Gmail, "the best Gmail app for free" is v7.5, dated 6-12-2015, is available. Read about it at iTunes.apple.com.
How to Be Unsociable on Facebook, etc.
David Passell gets our attention with info on how to be unsociable. He begins, "I don't know how many of our members are signed on to Facebook, or Twitter. I know that some use Gmail and may also have Google+. Here is an article about how to get rid of them if you feel unsociable : ) , but beware the warnings about Google+ if you have Gmail. I don't have Google+ or a Gmail address, but I understand, (dimly), that my cableone.net e-mail and spam filter are related to Gmail."
David closes by suggesting members might be interested in a SIG or meeting on using these Social Services. "Might also include Linkedin. You may not want to 'friend' or 'share' (such warm fuzzy terms :() but there are some interesting people you might want to 'like' or 'follow.'"
A Look at Google+ . . . Updated
Here's a Computerworld look at the many features of the new Google+ which declares it will replace email, Facebook, Twitter, Skype, blogging, RSS, Gmail and email newsletters. The writer says that spammers can't copy, retain and sell your email address. He says the term "social networking" is not an adequate term for Google+. Jim Hamm sent us this info. Just now (7-12) this PCWorld article tells about security risk issues involving an app that allows Firefox and Chrome users to view Facebook data within Google+.
Update Flash Info
"There’s a problem with hackers using Flash to get Gmail passwords." Jim Hamm gets our attention. His suggested remedy is, "If you use Gmail, you should update Flash on your Mac. You can check the version of Flash you’re running here. It should be at MAC 10,3,181,22. You can download the latest version here. That’s my public service announcement for the day...(grin)...Jim"
Not using Gmail? Jim still recommends updating to the latest version of Flash, just to be sure.
Gmail Solution is Posted
Having a problem with Gmail? Never fear, John Carter to the rescue. John has been accepted as a writer for the popular WikiHow, and he introduces his topic, "I posted an article here that goes into some detail about working with a Gmail IMAP account in Mail. It discusses a major issue regarding the ALL MAIL mailbox wherein you might be thinking that, try as hard as you can, you can’t delete a message from that mailbox, or that after deleting a message from another mailbox it still shows up in All Mail. Don’t worry about it. There is a solution."