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Switching from Gmail to FastMail

maxmasnick.com

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Re: Switching from Gmail to FastMail

#61
post #33

I'm suitably impressed that Fastmail has been around since 1999. At first glance I would have dismissed it as a service which I wouldn't expect to outlive Gmail (and thus be leery about moving to it). It still may not outlive Gmail, but its history seems that its been pretty solid so far.

They were responding to Gmail, by working on a more modern AJAXy web interface, even before Opera bought them.

I remember being concerned about the buyout, but it seems it's been nothing but good for them. Opera are a great company.

Re: Switching from Gmail to FastMail

#63

The fact that they even offer 200mb and 800mb plans makes it hard for me to take them seriously. Shame.

Huh?

I've had my email address since 1995. I have 5Mb / 6 emails in my Maildir and that's only because I've got lazy recently. I've recieved probably 500,000 emails over the years.

Hoarding email is like recording all your phone conversations and keeping the tapes in your living space. If it's worth keeping, save it elsewhere. If it's not, delete it.

Re: Switching from Gmail to FastMail

#64
I just did recently, and I'm very happy with the decision.

Two feature requests though:

1) Push support for iPhone

2) Have my email encrypted on disk (in the unlikely event there's a security hole or a rogue sysadmin or something, I don't want my email copied wholesale by one attacker) -- I'd pay extra for this

Re: Switching from Gmail to FastMail

#65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The point is to not support a company that does things you dont like. But if you dont feel strongly about issues such as privacy, of course you dont see the point.

That's the thing -- I do feel strongly about privacy. That's why I don't see the point in switching to another US based service. Better to use a European or Asian provider or roll your own.

I just bloody switched to fastmail because I thought it was Australian - and unfortunately I really like it. Gutted to hear it's hosted in USA, kinda negates the point of my effort switching away.

Re: Switching from Gmail to FastMail

#67
post #10

The main problem with abandoning Google is all the services associated with it, not only mail. And paid Gmail continues to offer mobile sync, which FastMail does not. Yet, FastMail looks quite nice.

Push email isn't something I really want, but that's a good point if that is important to you. The other thing I forgot to mention in the post is contact syncing. I'm honestly not sure if I like the contact pollution gmail does more or less than not having sync between FastMail and my phone.

My contacts are perfect on Gmail, no pollution at all. I use Contacts extensibly (birthdays, addresses, notes and all). They are all synchronized with my OS X Contacts as well, photos included. How are yours getting polluted?

Re: Switching from Gmail to FastMail

#68
Is there any service like FastMail, with a FastMail-like quality web interface, that offers ActiveSync support?

I don't mind paying a little extra to cover the licensing. But I don't want to be stuck with IMAP again -- the biggest draw for service for me is the "Contacts + Calendar + Tasks + Mail" instant syncing of something like ActiveSync.

Rackspace E-mail comes closest from what I've tried. But being stuck on Outlook Web Access isn't awesome.

Re: Switching from Gmail to FastMail

#69
I find it somewhat disappointing that so many people still rely so heavily on email that they can even become a "power user" of gmail. I check my email a few times a day, and even my work email has gone to once per day. It's an incredible time sink otherwise.

Re: Switching from Gmail to FastMail

#70
post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That doesn't refute what the GP said though. Fastmail is not an American company.

[deleted]

After the GP responded. So yeah, I don't see the point of pointing out worthless out-of-context crap. It happens far too often here. It's rubbish that should be called out so it hopefully stops.
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