4 ms·
> Gmail seems like a service for the ages; but once upon a time, so did Hotmail (even in 2012, 8 years after Gmail’s launch, still the #2 email service) - yet,
by benaiah 13y ago
> Gmail seems like a service for the ages; but once upon a time, so did Hotmail (even in 2012, 8 years after Gmail’s launch, still the #2 email service) - yet, RIP Hotmail (1996-2013).
That's silly. Hotmail didn't go away; it was rebranded. All the email and accounts were transparently migrated - you could even use both front-ends at the same time for a short period. The important part is, Microsoft still runs email and nobody lost data. Comparing it to the Reader shutdown (or a shutdown of Gmail in a similar fashion) is an apples-to-oranges comparison of the first degree.
- gameshot911 13y ago>The important part is, Microsoft still runs email and nobody lost data. Unless you fail to log in at least once every 270 days, at which point your entire account and everything in it is wiped.
- jacquesm 13y agoThat's probably a safety precaution but if it is like you describe it is also a risk. It could be a safety precaution to make sure that accounts do not eventually become compromised in the case of deceased person. But if the account is deleted entirely that could indicate the address can be re-used and in that case any password reset mails and other important email might land in the new owner of the address' inbox.
- hga 13y agoWasn't that true before the Hotmail -> "Outlook" transformation? I.e. a Microsoft free email policy that as jacquesm notes could have good reasons behind it.
- eli 13y agoIt's always been that way. In fact, I'm almost certain the time was shorter in the early days.
- Proleps 13y ago> That's silly. It is. The rebranding and new interface are a huge improvement and a sign Microsoft is taking there email service more seriously. I don't really get how someone could interpret it as the loss of a service.
- joering2 13y agoIn the near future someone may say: that's silly. Gmail didn't go away; it was rebranded. It is called Google+ now.
- benaiah 13y agoExcept Google+ and Gmail are very different things. Hotmail and Outlook.com are exactly the same thing with a different UI.