News Google IM?

Some folks are speculating that Google may be throwing in their hat into the IM game. Given the hassles recently experienced with MSN, could be a good time.

cnet story

 

So are they going to read all your messages and interject ads while chatting like their gmail?

 

*sigh* This again.

Nobody is reading your email. A server is scanning for keywords. Look at the bottom of the page when you reply. That's a smart ad placed by google based on keywords it finds on the text of the page. Nobody is archiving your email to investigate you later. You could send an email about how you shot your family and are currently holding a midget from Arkansas in your basement as a sex slave and they're not going to report you to the cops and whatnot. Sure, if the cops ask they'll provide it. But it's the same with all email servers. If they have records, they're forced to hand 'em over. Period.

And yes, it's possible to delete your gmail messages.

 

yeah but i wonder if they would scan your IMs thus keeping records and inject ads like with gmail.

 

Why do you say "they would scan your IM messages thus keeping records"

Scanning them doesnt automatically mean they're going to save them...



Also, about this whole "reading your emails" thing. I'm guessing you're probably using an email service with a spam filter. That spam filter is doing the same as google's adsense is. It scans the email for keywords that relate to spam, or in google's case, it displays relevant adverts.

Hell, I'd rather have an advert relevant to me rather than just a random selection.

 

yeah I agree with Stompy and A13n0rma1
all spam filters have to read your e-mails to work. Well the good ones anyway.

Also if the goverment want to read what your saying they will. If they want to pick up the packets that this message will send they can.

Anyway if you have nothing to hide whats the problem

Its the same with MSN its a server based service so they can read and save your messages if they want to. Although I think they have better ways of using that space.

 

Yea, even if noone is actually reading my email or scanning my PC, personally i feels googles stuff is worse than MS at this time. No way in hell im letting that near my pc.

I wonder how long it takes till they sell all the info for plenty of $$$ cause the stock holders want more money??

 

probably just stick an ad at the bottom of the prog like msn does
personally i dont think i'd bother switching, not because of all this paranoid privacy bullcrap but because it'd be too much hassle and the only major problem with msn imo is the crappy client, so i use GAIM

 

yeah, cause what there going to do, is scan EVERY line you say, then quickly inject an ad ad expect you to read it... [/SARCASM]

Dont be stupid. I dunno what you people have against google and there advertising policy, but its been heard here far too much before. The conclusion always being, if you dont like it, dont use it, so take it outside.

I have heard google have been doing this for a long time. I sure hope their entering the game. I havent liked MSN since its incarnation, the program is consistently **** and now i cant even use trillian. ICQ was cool but people stopped with that so its about time there was another player again!

 

I dont know what people have against msn tbh. It works, i can talk to people and a lot of people use it. Just cause its MS you look for faults it seems, nor do i get what all the fuss is about with google-fashion-statement.

"I must have gmail, i must have search, i must have IM.."

 

1) I cant rename my contacts
2) I cant re-sort my contacts, everyone seems to be everywhere on my list
3) The program is far too bulky for my liking

I dont mind MSN on trillian, its having to use the client which annoys me, and makes me dislike it. I have nothing against Microsofts programs.

 

I will agree with you on 1 and 3 actually, but i just dont care that much

 

Two words

Trillian Pro

 

When do we see GoogleOS?

*n

 

1)msgplus (dont agree to the sponsor)

</offtopic>

I'm All up for trying the google client, but I like msn, it just has a few minor flaws.

 

Gaim > trillian pro > trillian > msn plus > msn standard

 

HAHA Im waiting for the google console too..

 

Paranoid? Something to hide? Does it make any real difference to you if your email is being stored/scanned - seriously?

I personally don't really care if some dumb machine is reading my emails to produce ads. I barely even notice the ads anyway! I don't really care if it is stored and read by a human at some later date either. What i write in emails really won't mean a fat lot to anyone other than my intended recipient, so let them read it and profit off it for all I care It's a free service, right?

I also can't wait for a Google IM service. if their track record is anything to go by so far it'll have zero downtime, a great no-********-included interface, some really clever and well thought out features... i could go on.

 

No.. i just prefer to be in control of my stuff. Last time i checked i dont live in a commiunist society and dont have to share my stuff with anyone. Im just going against the grain of "everyone should know everything about me" - government, media.. etc

 

Does it mean you're not actually in control of your stuff though? I would still say that i'm in control of my email although it's being scanned. Unless i misunderstood your point

Does this extend to you not liking the fact that when you ring XYZ for support they may record your calls? What about the thousands of CCTV cameras you will have appeared on? What about your bank having a record of what you spend and where you spend it? The list is endless really... will not using google make any significant difference?

Just curious - good thread