April Fools?

[drapg]

Early April Fools joke by those wacky Google founders?

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040331/315958_1.html


Google Gets the Message, Launches Gmail
Wednesday March 31, 7:05 pm ET
User Complaint About Existing Services Leads Google to Create Search-Based Webmail
Search is Number Two Online Activity -- Email is Number One; "Heck, Yeah," Say Google Founders


MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 31, 2004-- Amidst rampant media speculation, Google Inc. today announced it is testing a preview release of Gmail -- a free search-based webmail service with a storage capacity of up to eight billion bits of information, the equivalent of 500,000 pages of email. Per user.
The inspiration for Gmail came from a Google user complaining about the poor quality of existing email services, recalled Larry Page, Google co-founder and president, Products. "She kvetched about spending all her time filing messages or trying to find them," Page said. "And when she's not doing that, she has to delete email like crazy to stay under the obligatory four megabyte limit. So she asked, 'Can't you people fix this?'"

The idea that there could be a better way to handle email caught the attention of a Google engineer who thought it might be a good "20 percent time" project. (Google requires engineers to spend a day a week on projects that interest them, unrelated to their day jobs). Millions of M&Ms later, Gmail was born.

"If a Google user has a problem with email, well, so do we," said Google co-founder and president of technology, Sergey Brin. "And while developing Gmail was a bit more complicated than we anticipated, we're pleased to be able to offer it to the user who asked for it."

Added Page, "Gmail solves all of my communication needs. It's fast and easy and has all the storage I need. And I can use it from anywhere. I love it!"

Today, a handful of users will begin testing the preview version of Gmail. Unlike other free webmail services, Gmail is built on the idea that users should never have to file or delete a message, or struggle to find an email they've sent or received. Key features of Gmail include:

Search: Built on Google search technology, Gmail enables people to quickly search every email they've ever sent or received. Using keywords or advanced search features, Gmail users can find what they need, when they need it.
Storage: Google believes people should be able to hold onto their mail forever. That's why Gmail comes with 1,000 megabytes (1 gigabyte) of free storage -- more than 100 times what most other free webmail services offer.
Speed: Gmail makes using email faster and more efficient by eliminating the need to file messages into folders, and by automatically organizing individual emails into meaningful "conversations" that show messages in the context of all the replies sent in response to them. And it turns annoying spam e-mail messages into the equivalent of canned meat.
According to Page and Brin, Google will make the preview test version of Gmail available to a small number of email aficionados. With luck, Gmail will prove popular to them -- and to the original user who sparked the idea.

Those interested in learning more about Gmail can visit http://gmail.google.com.

[KingCheetah]

I've been using it (test) - great stuff everyone will have it by 2005 number one email service by 2006.

[Dave2000]

For the bit torrent posters, yall should check out Suprnova.org's april fools joke, they got me for like 2mins, the realized its a day later there than it is here.

[fatman510]

hmm...I thought I posted something, but I guess I didn't.
Well what I had posted was that I was looking forward to Clutch's april fools day joke, but was worried it wasn't going to happen this year.

[Nomar]

Originally posted by fatman510 hmm...I thought I posted something, but I guess I didn't. Well what I had posted was that I was looking forward to Clutch's april fools day joke, but was worried it wasn't going to happen this year.

I am sure it will happen, and I am sure that it will catch tons of people by surprise. YOF are especially at risk here.

[meggoleggo]

Originally posted by Dave2000 For the bit torrent posters, yall should check out Suprnova.org's april fools joke, they got me for like 2mins, the realized its a day later there than it is here.

Hehehe. I probably wouldn't have noticed it, with the exception of the links at the top being changed.

[Uprising]

I've got a buddy who loves the Rockets, but doesn't visit CF.net too often, and isn't a member of the BBS. I will definetly spread the news to him later today about what's up with the Rockets. (CF.net)

Anyone have any good 4/1 pranks or jokes? My roomates are watching the Passion right now, and I wanted to do something before they came home.....But I couldn't think of what.

[Dr of Dunk]

Originally posted by fatman510 hmm...I thought I posted something, but I guess I didn't. Well what I had posted was that I was looking forward to Clutch's april fools day joke, but was worried it wasn't going to happen this year.

I guess the subtle hint didn't get through the layers. I guess you guys are the ones that call the birthday boy up and tell him he's having a surprise birthday party.

Durrrr.

[Dave2000]

Heh, speaking of 1 gig of storage, check this link

http://www.yousendit.com/

Its a site that lets u send LARGE attachments (up to 1 gig) store it on there servers, and sends a link to whoever u send it to to download it off of there servers. Pretty badass, and no, this is not a April Fools Joke.

[Uprising]

Originally posted by Dave2000 Heh, speaking of 1 gig of storage, check this link http://www.yousendit.com/ Its a site that lets u send LARGE attachments (up to 1 gig) store it on there servers, and sends a link to whoever u send it to to download it off of there servers. Pretty badass, and no, this is not a April Fools Joke.

Just thinking about it, it makes me feel that it is nothing but a scam for spam.

[fatman510]

Originally posted by Dr of Dunk I guess the subtle hint didn't get through the layers. I guess you guys are the ones that call the birthday boy up and tell him he's having a surprise birthday party. Durrrr.

haha I figured the hangout was visited by mostly verteran posters anyways...so not too much harm done.

[olliez]

Originally posted by fatman510 haha I figured the hangout was visited by mostly verteran posters anyways...so not too much harm done.

The Giga-mail is posted dated April 1, 2004

:D

[Mulder]

Originally posted by Nomar I am sure it will happen, and I am sure that it will catch tons of people by surprise. YOF are especially at risk here.

From Clutch Fans main page... The New York Knickification of the Houston Rockets may be continuing, and it's starting to reach the bizarre. Two sources confirmed to ClutchFans that the Rockets are set to activate assistant coach and former NBA legend Patrick Ewing today before their matchup with the Lakers. "Kelvin [Cato] is going to be out for a while, longer than anticipated," said one source. "This is only temporary, but Pat has practiced with the team all year. Can he stop Shaq? No, but ten minutes a night he can give us."

[Master Baiter]

Originally posted by Mulder Quote: From Clutch Fans main page... Can he stop Shaq? No, but ten minutes a night he can give us."

Did they get this quote from Yoda?

[drapg]

To bring my thread back on track... So this is real? They're actually going to give away 1 gig of storage? Hot damn!

[PhiSlammaJamma]

These are very good
http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/aprilfool2.html

[rockHEAD]

it's not a joke... http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/2478843