Live data from Hacker News

A new Gmail inbox

gmailblog.blogspot.com

161–170 of 313 posts

Re: A new Gmail inbox

#161
post #55

"If the new inbox isn't quite your style, you can simply switch off all optional tabs to go back to classic view, or switch to any of your other favorite inbox types." If this new Gmail feature doesn't suit you, you can TURN IT OFF.

Problem is, if it's anything like usual Google features, it follows a common path: New feature announced --> Deployed to @gmail users -- Deployed to Apps users --> Old feature deprecated --> old feature removed Google has a feature of eventually forcing people onto bad UI layouts.. for example Youtube.

But you still stick to it, so it doesn't show up in numbers to them - otherwise they'll change it back to what more people liked - or may be it already is that way?

Re: A new Gmail inbox

#162

These comments are pretty sad. I know we feel the need to comment on everything right away these days, but honestly there isn't much to say about this feature until we've actually used it. HN almost universally believes in execution over the idea, yet here we are trashing an idea before seeing the execution. It's great that Gmail is trying to innovate and improve the email experience. Maybe this feature won't work ou…

Judging by their recent change of making GChats part of the Google+ Hangout system I am nervous and skeptical about the changes to GMail.

I tried the new hangout box but I'm not able to figure out how to make calls to landlines from the chatbox anymore. Did you guys have that issue?

Re: A new Gmail inbox

#163
post #72

These comments are pretty sad. I know we feel the need to comment on everything right away these days, but honestly there isn't much to say about this feature until we've actually used it. HN almost universally believes in execution over the idea, yet here we are trashing an idea before seeing the execution. It's great that Gmail is trying to innovate and improve the email experience. Maybe this feature won't work ou…

Given how obnoxious the new compose it, it is getting hard to trust them to do the right thing with Gmail.

Enable keyboard shortcuts and then press "d" to open a new tab full of Compose.

Re: A new Gmail inbox

#164

These comments are pretty sad. I know we feel the need to comment on everything right away these days, but honestly there isn't much to say about this feature until we've actually used it. HN almost universally believes in execution over the idea, yet here we are trashing an idea before seeing the execution. It's great that Gmail is trying to innovate and improve the email experience. Maybe this feature won't work ou…

Judging by their recent change of making GChats part of the Google+ Hangout system I am nervous and skeptical about the changes to GMail.

Perhaps you'd be happier going back to AOL or Hotmail?

I don't understand the negativity around change. If they never changed, people would complain that they are in a rut, that they don't innovate, etc.

Re: A new Gmail inbox

#165

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Knee-jerk reactions are a big problem on this site. Perhaps there should be a delay between a story posting and comments being allowed.

People wanting to censor dissent are a big problem on this site.

A delay between submission and unlocking comments stifles praise just as much as it stifles dissent.

Re: A new Gmail inbox

#166
post #72

These comments are pretty sad. I know we feel the need to comment on everything right away these days, but honestly there isn't much to say about this feature until we've actually used it. HN almost universally believes in execution over the idea, yet here we are trashing an idea before seeing the execution. It's great that Gmail is trying to innovate and improve the email experience. Maybe this feature won't work ou…

Given how obnoxious the new compose it, it is getting hard to trust them to do the right thing with Gmail.

I love the new compose also.

Re: A new Gmail inbox

#167

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Gmail previously had 5 types of inbox view. Now it has 6. Feel free to choose the one you like.

Gmail previously had 1 type of message compose. Now it has 2. Feel free to choose the one yo--oops, now it has 1. The one you didn't choose.

Used to have 2 (old one, and pop out), now it has 2 (new one and pop out). (there is also the look for reply, and for chatting (which i use even if other is offline sometimes instead of a quick email), and the ability to revert to the old look)

By this logic, the old one is at least as fascist. Additionally, while you might not like the new style, "real" feature was removed, but the ability to write multiple emails at once, or write one while one is open, were added.

Edit: I just tried to old one to see it again. It is rather bulky. It needed a UI update of some kind at least. (which may have been accomplished not semi-popped out, i guess)

Re: A new Gmail inbox

#169
Does this mean another two weeks of clicking away popups informing me of new features for every damn Google Apps account I have? Oh great.

Re: A new Gmail inbox

#170

These comments are pretty sad. I know we feel the need to comment on everything right away these days, but honestly there isn't much to say about this feature until we've actually used it. HN almost universally believes in execution over the idea, yet here we are trashing an idea before seeing the execution. It's great that Gmail is trying to innovate and improve the email experience. Maybe this feature won't work ou…

The opposite is true. I don't need to know anything more about this feature to conclude: 1. it's anti-useful for me and 2. while it may be useful for some, it is another clear step toward throwing in the towel on e-mail as a platform for serious discourse.

Nor do I agree that execution trumps ideas. Both are necessary and insufficient for success, but execution is far easier to commoditize. Those who can't judge good ideas from bad attribute everything to execution, of course. Those who can see the failure of the cult of execution all around. Even Google is abandoning 'see what sticks' in favor of Apple's ideas-directed approach.

What I see growing on HN "these days" is the notion that comments must be either positive or negative, and that they shouldn't be negative. I prefer comments, however imperfect, which strive for the truth.

Post reply on HN