I have completely gone over to Gmail, Google's online email service. I don't even try to use Apple's Mail app anymore. Principally, I love the tags ("labels") that Gmail provides as a simple technique of organizing, plus the lightning fast search. But, what about offline access?
There are rumors that Google is at work on something more sophisticated than the existing Google Desktop ( a Windows-only app, which is one of the reasons they are in the hall of shame), which would allow offline caching of all sorts of Google related information... in my case, most specifically I want what Kottke called a "Baby step: make Gmail readable offline" -- but I also want to be able to create emails while offline, too.
Why doesn't some enterprising soul build a Mac widget to do this? Isn't the API available? There must be six hundred Gmail notifier apps and widgets, all doing the same thing: why doesn't someone build a mini-tool to do this:
- Let me sync the email in my inbox to my Mac before going offline
- allow me to read it while offline
- let me create replies while offline
- let me post the offline replies when I go back online
I would even tolerate someone charging me for the tool, or pushing their ads at me while I am synching up.
Yes, I realize that I could (possibly) configure Apple Mail, or Mozilla, or something to sort of do this. But it seems more attractive to have a small, llightweight, dedicated app to do this, rather than fool around with a big fat app.
[Update 20 Nov: I realized this morning I left out a few things off my wishlist. I'd like the tool to retain Gmail goodies like the 'labels' I use to tag everything. For example, if I am reading an email offline, I would like to tag it as 'Blogon' and then when I later on sync the offline cache back to Google, the label would be applied there. I really don't need the app to act like a mail client -- I don't want it to support posting emails through Comcast or other ISPs, for example -- but just to sync with Gmail. If I create a reply to an email, I want the tool to sync that into the outbox in Gmail when I get back to the Web, not to send it itself.]
1. Nick Douglas on October 19, 2005 11:48 AM writes...
Dude, that'd be grand. I want that sexy interface offline!
Permalink to Comment2. Dave D on October 19, 2005 06:20 PM writes...
"Yes, I realize that I could (possibly) configure Apple Mail, or Mozilla, or something to sort of do this."
Nothing possibly about this--Gmail supports POP access, so any regular mail client can do everything you list pretty easily. Not sure if any Mac widgets can do that, however...
Permalink to Comment3. Stowe Boyd on October 20, 2005 08:33 AM writes...
Yeas, I know about the POP access -- I was using Apple Mail for months to pull Gmail. What I want though is an app that is specifically deigned to act as an offline aid to Gmail. I will elaborate in an update to the posting.
Permalink to Comment4. Reg Cheramy on October 20, 2005 10:52 AM writes...
Morfik an Australian company has built a pixel precise clone of gmail that can be used on and offline. Even from a thumbdrive.
I've profiled them at Web 2.0 Central, check it out here:
http://web2.0central.com/?p=27
Permalink to Comment5. Amos on October 20, 2005 02:35 PM writes...
It's a grand idea but misses a key point - having control of your data. You talk about synching with Gmail. It would be more forward-thinking to talk about Gmail synching with you.
Permalink to Comment6. The voice of reason on October 20, 2005 06:53 PM writes...
And how exactly would Google put its ads in front of you?
It ain't a free service
Permalink to Comment7. Nitin Borwankar on October 25, 2005 07:46 PM writes...
You are more likely to see an extension to email readers that gives
a) a Gmail like web interface to your email message base
b) tags for email that you can use to serach but also attach on messages and send
c) Lightning fast search and sort
With web email providers "all your data is belong to them" and then you're forced to put up with the limitations of the app.
The bigger question to ask is when will email data (my inbox and folders) become free of the mail application so i can use *my* data with any email app I choose at any moment of the day.
That is the juicy question ......
Permalink to Comment8. Jeffrey Cox on January 27, 2006 03:20 PM writes...
I have to say that I am using gmail and really enjoying it. During my current military deployment, I needed a e-mail solution that worked whereever I went. Gmail has been doing fine. I worry about the ability to better archive e-mail to another source. However, I am only using 2 percent capacity, and I am not seeing running out of space anytime soon.
I project that gmail will be better enhanced over the next year. I want a calendar solution built into the e-mail that syncs with a Treo or similar device. Patience! Patience!
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