E-mail As the New Database

jira writes "BBC has an article confirming the trend of using inbox as a sort of personal database. At my workplace I can personally attest to the growing sizes of those pst files and an unwillingness to erase any emails because of 'loss of information'." From the article: "The trend has become more pronounced as the services have dramatically increased their storage capacity in response to upstart Gmail offering a free service with 1,000 megabytes (Mb) of storage." Update: 04/22 23:03 GMT by Z : To reflect that the story is at respected news organization BBC, not a BBS.

Comments

Why not?

[xtracto]

Personally, I think it is a good idea, I would really like to see Google Implementing some kind of "GDrive", where I can have all or most of my documents, I know there is an ap for doing it in Gmail but, I maybe a Google's service with web page and file browser interface (as cool as their Gmail interface) would be nice.

Of course, I would like it to be free (as all other Google's services), and I would not mind having the ads at the side if for example I have a document (.DOC, .ppt etc) talking about Scotland vacations, I get some ads about vacations.

Re:2120 MB

[DosBubba]

The article was written on February 8th, 2005 or about two months before gmail started their storage increases.

Worst. Submission. Ever.

[michael path]

"BBS has an article confirming the trend of using inbox as a sort of personal database. At my workplace I can personally attest to the growing sizes of those pst files and an unwillingness to erase any emails because of 'loss of information'." From the article: "The trend has become more pronounced as the services have dramatically increased their storage capacity in response to upstart Gmail offering a free service with 1,000 megabytes (Mb) of storage."

BBS = The BBC
pst = Microsoft Outlook .PST
Gmail is no upstart, they're run by Google. Gmail currently offers 2121MB (that's Megabytes, not Mb - which is MegaBITS)

This isn't news. This is what Google had in mind when they started the Gmail service.

A few email tips I try to live by

[prototype]

These are a few tips I've found on the net that I've picked up and try to follow.

• Remember, your Inbox is your Inbox. It's not your To Do list. You don't use your paper inbox as a filing system, do you? (Okay, maybe you do. So how's that working for you, anyway?)
• Block out time to "process" email. And when you do, "process" it. Don't spend more than a minute or two on an email--and don't start down the road of firing off two or three emails for everyone you get, or diving into a project after you get to email 13 ("oh, ya! I owe him a project plan!" or "I should blog about that..."). Put it on your To Do list, and keep processing your inbox. If you can't do that, there may be other kinds of help available.
• Don't use your email as a filing system. And for heaven's sake, don't rescue a co-worker who is looking for something you happen to have tucked away in an email folder. Let them rescue YOU! If someone else owns a document/plan/conversation, let them store it for you. Chances are if you need it, someone else has it.
• Ignore Incoming Email until you have time to process it. Can you imagine if snail mail was real-time? Would you wait by your house's mailbox, and open each piece of junk mail as it came in? Thank goodness it only comes in once a day! And even though you pick it up daily, I bet you process that "inbox" only a few times a week. Change your default view on Outlook to open to your Calendar and Task List, rather than your Inbox. Turn off the popup toast and reminder sound when email comes in. Don't respond immediately to each incoming email.
• Pick up the phone once in a while. You'd be surprised at how much you can get done in a phone call rather than on email.

Outlook makes this a nightmare

[EvilStein]

Ever have to deal with a bloated and corrupted .pst file?

No fun.

Users that like to keep everything on the planet should probably think twice about trusting it all to Microsoft Outlook (or any local POP email client, for that matter)

IMAP rocks. :-)

Legitimate concerns about Google and privacy

[isolationism]

It was recently brought to my attention (by a more educated person than I am) that by using Gmail I am trusting Google with my personal information -- whatever that may be -- forever. Because deleting something from Gmail almost assuredly means nothing more than a "deleted" flag in a database somewhere, not an actual deleted file.

Of course, after having this pointed out to me it I realised -- "too late" -- that this should have been obvious to me, only I had never bothered to give it any thought.

My point is, thanks for reminding us all of this fact in an appropriate forum. Google fanboys may mod you down but, you raise a very important and relevant point that deserves consideration. I hope I'm not the only one who thinks so.

Re:Managers never delete email

[Anonymous Luddite]

>> no record of any possible wrongdoing on their part

This is the same reason some people answer emails in person. They don't want it sitting in your mailbox either...

Re:Mb vs MB

[Queer Boy]

There's no universally accepted abbreviation for byte. Some people use B, some use b.

Yes exactly, and some people type "There going to the store to get groceries." some people type "Their going to the store to get groceries." and some people type "They're going to the store to get groceries."

The only reason why it doesn't seem universal is because people don't always use the right one. That does NOT make it more or less correct.

Re:Managers never delete email

[dotlin]

The weasels who don't want to leave any records of their decisions will later deny what they said. A good defensive tactic when dealing with those types of weasels is to send an email, copying others, on your understanding of what was discussed to ensure you got the correct message.

Example Scenario:

To: PointyHairBoss@corp.com
From: PeeOn@corp.com
Subject:Schedule Risk for Task A on project deadlines
Date: Wednesday, 10:34 AM

Hi PointyHairBoss,

Because of task B which you just assigned to me today is due next Monday there's a conflict with getting Task A done by Tuesday which will impact our project schedule. Can I start work on task B after task A is completed to reduce this risk?

- - - - -

PointyHairBoss goes by PeeOn's cubicle on his way out at 3:45 PM, golf bag in tow:

PointyHairBoss: Great job on what you're working on PeeOn.
PeeOn: Thanks PointyHairBoss.
PointyHairBoss: We need to work hard together as a team and I'm glad you brought this issue to my attention [...blah blah empty platitudes ...] which is why I'm counting on you to work hard and accomplish both Task A and Task B by the deadlines I promised.
PeeOn: I hear you boss but Task B is an internal make-work task while Task A is on the critical path for our project.
PointyHairBoss: It's important to meet our commitments. I'm sure you'll find a way. [unspoken message: another weekend of unpaid overtime]
PeeOn:: As I mentioned in my email there's not enough time available to do both and Task B has a risk of slowing down progress on task A which will impact our projects overall progress.
PointyHairBoss: I can't spare anyone else for this; I have confidence you can get this done. [Hurry up already; quit your whining; I'm going to be late for my 4:30 PM tee time]
PeeOn: I'm sorry but I'm planning to take this weekend off. It's our anniversary and my wife and I have plans to go out of town. I can only do one of Task A or Task B by their deadline and I think it should be task A.
PointyHairBoss: Yes, well I promised the Grand Poobah that task B would be done by Monday. I'm sure you'll find a way ... blah blah ... [How much longer will I have to natter with this clown anyways.]
PeeOn: Well so long as you realize the risk of delays for task A and you're fine by it then I'll stop working on task A and work on task B.
PointyHairBoss: I'm sure you can find a way to get both done. [Starts walking briskly away.]

- - - - -

To: PointyHairBoss@corp.com
From: PeeOn@corp.com
CC: GrandPooBah@corp.com, ProjectManager@corp.com
Subject:Re: Schedule Risk for Task A on project deadlines
Date: Wednesday, 6:13 PM

Hi PointyHairBoss,

Just to confirm my understanding of our discussion this afternoon. I need to work on task B as my top priority to get it done by Monday, even if that delays progress on task A and adds a risk to the project schedule.

[original email quoted]