Chromebook Email Program

[DD716TED]

I am new to Chromebook, but so far it has done everything I need to do while having my morning coffee.. (ie check certain web pages, Facebook, etc..) I have yet to find a good email app that is easy to use and will allow me to set up groups in my contacts for certain mailings.. Anyone recommend an easy to use email app other than BlueMail which is very difficult to use..

[fj12ryder]

AsheGuy wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:
Maybe we need a definition of "phobia": an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something. I don't think we are talking phobia when the dislike is totally rational.

You are right in that shifting where computer applications are run back to a remote computer seems like the old way. But there is only one similarity between today's "cloud" computing and the old mainframe/dumb terminal model and that is the telecommunications connection between both ends of the model.

Chromebooks (the subject of this thread) are a better example of the old dumb terminals than PCs because they are based on the cloud computing concept and can perform most user functions without apps running on the terminal although they do have that capability.

Cloud computing on the other hand is orders of magnitude different from the old mainframe computers in terms of computing power, redundancy, backup, security (in spite of common belief), etc.

I went to work for a computer company in 1960 when the first generation electronic computers had vacuum tubes and I have lived through all the technology changes to where we are today. It has certainly been an interesting ride.

So yes, I believe the definition of "phobia" applies to fear of the cloud and I don't think "dislike is totally rational". Of course, we are all welcome to believe whatever we choose.

I would believe "phobia" would be a decent choice if there were never any losses of data that was stored in "the cloud", or data theft from "the cloud". But since we know that data stored in "the cloud" is both stolen, and lost, and "cloud" services shut down with little to no warning, I wouldn't consider concern for your data stored in "the cloud" to be unwarranted or irrational.

But you are certainly welcome to believe that all your data stored in "the cloud" is not shared, stolen, and lost. Your choice.

[fj12ryder]

Not digital failure, but failure by the keepers of the digital data. If you print those pages out and give them to someone else to store, then you're back to relying on someone else for your data integrity. Like keeping your digital data in "the cloud" for storage, you're relying on someone else for your digital integrity.

[time2roll]

fj12ryder wrote:
Really? Dead tree storage? That's the answer to online storage? Ooooookkkkaaaaayyyy.

I think you mentioned concerns of digital failure.

[AsheGuy]

fj12ryder wrote:
Maybe we need a definition of "phobia": an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something. I don't think we are talking phobia when the dislike is totally rational.

You are right in that shifting where computer applications are run back to a remote computer seems like the old way. But there is only one similarity between today's "cloud" computing and the old mainframe/dumb terminal model and that is the telecommunications connection between both ends of the model.

Chromebooks (the subject of this thread) are a better example of the old dumb terminals than PCs because they are based on the cloud computing concept and can perform most user functions without apps running on the terminal although they do have that capability.

Cloud computing on the other hand is orders of magnitude different from the old mainframe computers in terms of computing power, redundancy, backup, security (in spite of common belief), etc.

I went to work for a computer company in 1960 when the first generation electronic computers had vacuum tubes and I have lived through all the technology changes to where we are today. It has certainly been an interesting ride.

So yes, I believe the definition of "phobia" applies to fear of the cloud and I don't think "dislike is totally rational". Of course, we are all welcome to believe whatever we choose.

[wa8yxm]

Yup, Been using mainframe/terminal since 1977 Terminal was a Teletype ASR28 back then if I recall correctly.. That was fun.

[fj12ryder]

"These forums have their share of those that have cloud phobia (and not the puffy type in the sky).To each their own, but they are living in the past."

Maybe we need a definition of "phobia": an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something. I don't think we are talking phobia when the dislike is totally rational.

As far as living in the past. "The Cloud" existed with the earliest computers, but it was called the mainframe, and you used dumb terminals to access it. All the programs were stored on the mainframe and you used them via the terminals. To me that sounds very "cloud based", the only difference is where the server farms are. People thought it was a great step forward when you could store and use your computer without being connected to the mainframe. Now it seems that if you like having your data and programs on your own computer, you're "living in the past". Seems the other way around to me.

[AsheGuy]

DD716TED wrote:
I am new to Chromebook, but so far it has done everything I need to do while having my morning coffee.. (ie check certain web pages, Facebook, etc..) I have yet to find a good email app that is easy to use and will allow me to set up groups in my contacts for certain mailings.. Anyone recommend an easy to use email app other than BlueMail which is very difficult to use..

A Chromebook is a Google platform for Google apps. All of what you need is there, Gmail, Google contacts (integrated with Gmail), Google Docs, etc. etc.

What's the point of getting a Chromebook (whose whole concept is being cloud based) and ignoring the Google apps that will do everything you need and since it is all cloud based you can access your emails/contacts/data/etc on any other devices you use.

These forums have their share of those that have cloud phobia (and not the puffy type in the sky). To each their own, but they are living in the past.

[fj12ryder]

Really? Dead tree storage? That's the answer to online storage? Ooooookkkkaaaaayyyy.

[time2roll]

fj12ryder wrote:

time2roll wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:
Very true, but those emails, receipts, valuable information I want to keep, and the like are stored where I don't have to worry about someone else's servers losing them. If I lose them it's all on me, not Google's servers hiccuping. Stuff I want to keep I backup, stuff that's not necessarily important I can keep online.

You can always print some important document to a pdf and save on a drive.

But that's just extra steps, why bother when there's no real advantage.

I like it separate from the fluff and junk. Also can be named to help with a search.
Permanent records I print on paper and put in a file drawer.

Ok to just leave it in your email folder too.

[wa8yxm]

That is how I do it Save (or print) as PDF and then copy to the Tosh for long term storage

When I'm using the TOSH (Windows) That is how i do it as well.

[fj12ryder]

time2roll wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:
Very true, but those emails, receipts, valuable information I want to keep, and the like are stored where I don't have to worry about someone else's servers losing them. If I lose them it's all on me, not Google's servers hiccuping. Stuff I want to keep I backup, stuff that's not necessarily important I can keep online.

You can always print some important document to a pdf and save on a drive.

But that's just extra steps, why bother when there's no real advantage.

[time2roll]

fj12ryder wrote:
Very true, but those emails, receipts, valuable information I want to keep, and the like are stored where I don't have to worry about someone else's servers losing them. If I lose them it's all on me, not Google's servers hiccuping. Stuff I want to keep I backup, stuff that's not necessarily important I can keep online.

You can always print some important document to a pdf and save on a drive.

[fj12ryder]

Very true, but those emails, receipts, valuable information I want to keep, and the like are stored where I don't have to worry about someone else's servers losing them. If I lose them it's all on me, not Google's servers hiccuping. Stuff I want to keep I backup, stuff that's not necessarily important I can keep online.

[wa8yxm]

Well I've never caught an E-mail virus either but as I said I've seen 'em downloaded to the computer.. just not invoked.

Another advantage of web mail.. I have multiple comptuers 2 working and 2 non working windows (I will fix those) two chrome books An Android smart phone and an Android tablet. With WEB mail all the e-mails are available on all devices.

Usually I do this in TV (Television) Dissuctions but you now those ads for over priced hyper expensive Subscription television services (100+/month in many cases) "Only our service lest you record in one room, watch in another, start watching in one room, finish in another (Stop rewind fast forward) watch on any device anywhere. and so on.

Applies to WEB mail as well. (Save for this part) I can start on this CB. Finish on the othe CB. or my 'droids or Dozers or even visit a library and use their kiosk machine Can't do that with client mail programs.

[fj12ryder]

In all the years I've been using a client based email program I've opened a total of 1 virus, and that was on a brand new Windows 98 desktop, when I didn't know any better. I've used The Bat for 20 years and never have been infected.