Gmail

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=**History of Gmail**=

Gmail launched its service to the world on April 1st of 2004. April 1st is the "April Fool's day", and consequently it allowed numerous people to consider Google's announcement as a trick. Obviously Google's announcement was not a joke. It rather allowed Gmail to stand in the spotlight of the world. In the beginning, people had several negative issues toward Gmail. For instance, unlike other email services, adverts were allowed to be sent according to the text in your email. This may mean that people, who payed for the adverts could be able to fully see what is written in the text of your email. Accordingly people were concerned about the privacy issue. However, the advertisers were not allowed to see the content of email and the privacy of people were protected safely and the service filtered unwated adverts properly. There was another concern that Gmail might refuse to delete all the emails upon user's request. People were worried. Gmail sooner or later clarified that they were referring to deleting the back-up copies of email and the emails will surely be expunged from their server upon the request of a user. (Gmailusers, 2005)

Gmail differs from other email services in that a potential user has to be invited by someone who has a gmail account in order to become a user. Once the user signs up, they have 16 invites which they can distribute to whoever they wish. This allows for a certain amount of exclusivity to the service. (Gmailusers, 2005)

The domain "Gmail.com" previously was being used by the email service that comic strip "Garfield" offers. Yet they soon moved to [|www.e-garfield.com]. As of June, 22nd. 2005, Gmail's canonical URI has been changed from http://gmail.google.com/gmail/ to [|http://mail.google.com/mail/.] (Wikipedia, 2006)

=Special features=

= = __**Conversation Views**__ Gmail introduced the idea of categorizing emails, which is called conversation views. Gmail keeps track of individual conversations by grouping them together with related ones. This feature truly keeps the inbox more organized than any other email services.

Gmail categorize emails with "labels." Instead of piling up the emails in folders, Gmail labels them, which makes it easier to search those emails in the future and. Users can display all e-mails having a particular label and can use labels as a search criterion. Gmail also allows users to set up filters which label incoming e-mail automatically. (Wikipedia, 2006)
 * __Label emails__**

__**Keyboard Shortcuts**__ Gmail users are allowed to use keyboard as an accessible tool inseated of the use of mouse, which makes the users speedy when navigating web. This feature is not enabled by default, and Gmail gives the instruction how to enable it. (Wikipedia, 2006)

__**Calendar Integration**__ In April 2006, Google implemented the new functionality, Google Calendar. Calendar integration allowed users to have numerous calendars, schedules, appointments, and can ba shared with other private contacts or could set it to be completely public. This allows users to send and receive an invitation to a special event. Furthermore, Gmail attempts to recognize event dates and locations within e-mails, and gives users the option to add the event to a calendar.

While composing an email Gmail automatically saves a copy of your message every few minutes or so. This is a safety measure that can save many hours and potential headaches in the event of a browser or computer crash.
 * __Autosave Feature__**

Gmail can be accessed anywhere, anytime from any mobile phone. One just simply points his/her phone to [|gmail.com/app] and up pops the familiar Gmail interface. Yuo can view all our email as well as attachments such as documents and photos directly from your phone.
 * __Gmail Mobile__**

= = =**Gmail as an Interactive Design**=

Gmail is an interactive design, which supports numerous people everyday lives. Gmail is now inseparable media in the society. It assists people with extra efficiency in their working, entertainments, and networking lives. Gmail certainly creates user experiences that improve the way they communicate and live.


 * Screen shot**




 * Why did Gmail become so popular quickly?**

Gmail is quickly becoming the most used webmail service. Its large amount of storage is probably the main attractiveness that is giving it all the attention and luring users to switch to Gmail. Not only that, but also Gmail combined the function of instant online chatting while users are signed in. The success of Google itself has helped elevated the popularity of Gmail.


 * Usability Goals**

__Efficiency__ Gmail allows its users to use shortcut kets that grant them quicker access to different functions. The "Conversation View" turns each mail into a "conversation", linking back-to-back emails together, and allowing the user to read any related materials all at once. The huge amount of storage may allow users difficult to find certain email, yet it is again made easy by the search function.

__Utility__ As a free web-mail service, Gmail provides standard functions such as creating contacts, forwarding emails, adding attachments, filter junk mails, etc.. On top of that, extra stand out features like "Starred" messages give users the ability to indicated that the email is of importance. It is also suitable mix of functionality that Gmail incorporated the instant online chatting ability to the use of email so that users can chat with simultaneously logged-on users on their contact list.

__Learnability__ Due to its various functionality, for some first time users, Gmail is not absolutely easy to be master of at the first glance. There are regular contact list, invitations to make, contact list to create for instant chatting, numerous buttons, tabs, and so on. It seemed to be too much and vague to me in the beginning. However as the user gets along with this detailed and user friendly service day by day, they will acknowledge that it is undoubtedly the best email service.


 * User Experience Goals**

__Helpful__ Gmail is one of the better free webmail service out there. Its ability to organize your emails in an effective manner, user friendly interface, extra features such as "Starred" messages, are all reasons that make it better. And of course, 2.6GB of storage space gives users the chance to store more emails and even other files such as photos and music.

__Fun__ A new feature included with Gmail is the incorporation of a chat room. Users that are logged-on to their accounts can chat with any of their other Gmail contacts if they appear online.

__Satisfying__ Gmail satisfies the users in every aspect. Gmail labels all the emails how much times passed since received, which makes users to reply often differently. Gmail makes every online communication a lot easier. Moreover, users feel true satisfaction when Gmail allows organizing emails efficiently.


 * Principles of Universal Design**

__Equitable__ Gmail is equitable to all the cultures. Gmail is offered in many different languages and they are all identical to the English version.

__Effortless__ Gmail do not require any effort to use it. Registering to Gmail takes no effort, no money, and short time. It will comfortably work even in the region with inferior internet connection.

__Flexible__ Gmail is suitably designed for wide range of people with different taste, preferences, and their job. There are numerous features in the setting to accommodate users.



=**Conclusion**=

Gmail is rapidly proliferating its popularity since 2004. It is because of its decent universal and interactive design. It is absolutely efficient, effective, and useful to support the users in their everyday and working lives. It is undoubted that Gmail has been and will be presenting positive influence to the society and the global village in terms of the online communication.

Reference
Gmailusers. //"An introduction to Gmail"//. (2005). Online. http://www.gmailusers.com/introduction.htm Consulted on Nov. 12. 2006.

Wikipedia. //The image "Gmail Logo"// (2006). Online. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Gmail Consulted on Nov. 12. 2006.

Wikipedia. //"Gmail" (2006).// Online. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Gmail Consulted on Nov. 12. 2006