Comments on: Google: The Next (free) .Mac? http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/ TheAppleBlog, published by and for the day-to-day Apple user, is a prominent source for news, reviews, walkthroughs, and real life application of all Apple products. Fri, 05 Dec 2008 01:00:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: jesper V. http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-113464 jesper V. Mon, 14 Jan 2008 13:02:02 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-113464 I have been thinking about dotmac for a wile. its a lot of money for something you can get for free. On the other hand its dead easy to use and if you look at the price for 10gb off webspace dotmac is not bad. My probleme with dotmac is the lack off choice. I have all my bookmarks on delicius, my photos and mail and rss at google. I just want to make tings easy, not move all my stuff to dotmac. so steve don't reinvent the wheel just make it dead easy to be a mac user. I have been thinking about dotmac for a wile. its a lot of money for something you can get for free.
On the other hand its dead easy to use and if you look at the price for 10gb off webspace dotmac is not bad.
My probleme with dotmac is the lack off choice.
I have all my bookmarks on delicius, my photos and mail and rss at google.
I just want to make tings easy, not move all my stuff to dotmac.
so steve don’t reinvent the wheel just make it dead easy to be a mac user.

]]> By: akiersky http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-74479 akiersky Tue, 07 Nov 2006 17:03:03 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-74479 If you're looking for a remote storage option with google, try gDisk http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/28136 it lets you use your gMail's extra space as a backup. pretty cool. If you’re looking for a remote storage option with google, try gDisk http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/28136 it lets you use your gMail’s extra space as a backup. pretty cool.

]]> By: Moving From a .Mac Account To a Free Google Account. « The PottsDome http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-73886 Moving From a .Mac Account To a Free Google Account. « The PottsDome Sun, 05 Nov 2006 18:59:20 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-73886 [...] Why pay Apple for a .mac address and only 1Gig of storage when you can have a Google mail account and 2 Gigs of storage for free ? There are unbiased rumors that Apple will offer there .mac accounts free in the near future. Why are people slow to get rid of their .mac accounts ? It could be that they don’t want to give up their address’s with the .mac signature. Or they have spent a lot of time making a .mac web page and don’t want the hassle of moving it elsewhere. But if your considering the move here is a nice article by Matthew Russell on a O’Reilly Report page. [...] [...] Why pay Apple for a .mac address and only 1Gig of storage when you can have a Google mail account and 2 Gigs of storage for free ? There are unbiased rumors that Apple will offer there .mac accounts free in the near future. Why are people slow to get rid of their .mac accounts ? It could be that they don’t want to give up their address’s with the .mac signature. Or they have spent a lot of time making a .mac web page and don’t want the hassle of moving it elsewhere. But if your considering the move here is a nice article by Matthew Russell on a O’Reilly Report page. [...]

]]> By: Steve M http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-71102 Steve M Thu, 26 Oct 2006 13:54:08 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-71102 LOL Mushu ... v funny Just ditched .Mac, just not worth it. Bookmark syncing hasn't worked properly for me ever on Tiger. Trashed my address book twice (fortunately had a backup), iDisk WAY slooowww, Homepage is slow too. Annoyed that Apple charge a higher rate of VAT in the UK just because they are based in Ireland. To those that say 'it's available cheaper if you look', WTF should I have to look around just to get it at a reasonable price? Trying Gmail for email, much faster interface, nice Tiger widget, even faster than .Mac via Mail! Will use Box.net for remote storage, probably Flickr (maybe Picasa) for photos and Del.icio.us for bookmarks (not mad keen on the tagging/layout but it's not a biggie). LOL Mushu … v funny

Just ditched .Mac, just not worth it. Bookmark syncing hasn’t worked properly for me ever on Tiger. Trashed my address book twice (fortunately had a backup), iDisk WAY slooowww, Homepage is slow too.

Annoyed that Apple charge a higher rate of VAT in the UK just because they are based in Ireland. To those that say ‘it’s available cheaper if you look’, WTF should I have to look around just to get it at a reasonable price?

Trying Gmail for email, much faster interface, nice Tiger widget, even faster than .Mac via Mail! Will use Box.net for remote storage, probably Flickr (maybe Picasa) for photos and Del.icio.us for bookmarks (not mad keen on the tagging/layout but it’s not a biggie).

]]> By: mushu http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-70820 mushu Wed, 25 Oct 2006 06:38:08 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-70820 listening to some of you here speak about .mac is a joke and you call yourselves Mac users ? you pay $99 to support apple, its not about you, what you receive in a .mac is well worth the 8 freaken dollars a month. if i didn't know any better i'd sear you guys are pc users, i want this, give me that, i want more, i want it free wah wah geeze get some mac balls will ya ? go back to windows cry babies, let apple do its thing, mac is for the elite not for the poor and pathetic losers who want everything free .mac membership is outstanding, its the icing on the macake google will never come close to apple godlike status, some of you panzies need to get spanked listening to some of you here speak about .mac is a joke and you call yourselves Mac users ?

you pay $99 to support apple, its not about you, what you receive in a .mac is well worth the 8 freaken dollars a month.

if i didn’t know any better i’d sear you guys are pc users, i want this, give me that, i want more, i want it free wah wah geeze get some mac balls will ya ?

go back to windows cry babies, let apple do its thing, mac is for the elite not for the poor and pathetic losers who want everything free

.mac membership is outstanding, its the icing on the macake

google will never come close to apple godlike status,

some of you panzies need to get spanked

]]> By: lou http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-69995 lou Sat, 21 Oct 2006 19:26:16 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-69995 mac mail sucks and thats all there is to it.storage ...sucks. return receipt.........nope ...........it sucks mac mail sucks and thats all there is to it.storage …sucks. return receipt………nope ………..it sucks

]]> By: spvn http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-68778 spvn Mon, 16 Oct 2006 10:02:14 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-68778 definately the next .mac.. the only thing missing is the syncing.. but other than that i think everything else i need is there.. definately the next .mac.. the only thing missing is the syncing.. but other than that i think everything else i need is there..

]]> By: garethtownsend.info » Blog Archive » The Monday Mashup - Links for the week ending the 15th of October 2006 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-68723 garethtownsend.info » Blog Archive » The Monday Mashup - Links for the week ending the 15th of October 2006 Sun, 15 Oct 2006 21:13:09 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-68723 [...] A weeks worth of reading equates to a lot, so lets get into it! Is Google the next .mac? When I got my first mac way back when I tried out .mac, apples web storage, email and syncing solution. It was pretty cool, but cost way too much for what it was. Especially when I could do most of it myself, for free, with a little bit of work. The Apple Blog tends to agree with me, and they seem to think Google’s web apps will soon create a valid replacement for .mac. And by integrating existing services, as opposed to re-inventing the wheel, it’s easier to attract users, and hold them. [...] [...] A weeks worth of reading equates to a lot, so lets get into it! Is Google the next .mac? When I got my first mac way back when I tried out .mac, apples web storage, email and syncing solution. It was pretty cool, but cost way too much for what it was. Especially when I could do most of it myself, for free, with a little bit of work. The Apple Blog tends to agree with me, and they seem to think Google’s web apps will soon create a valid replacement for .mac. And by integrating existing services, as opposed to re-inventing the wheel, it’s easier to attract users, and hold them. [...]

]]> By: Eytan http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-68241 Eytan Wed, 11 Oct 2006 18:32:50 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-68241 Chris G., Multiple comments have been made here as to how to get it for much less than retail. Maybe if you read the previous posts you would have seen that the ability to get it at half the price is there. Chris G., Multiple comments have been made here as to how to get it for much less than retail. Maybe if you read the previous posts you would have seen that the ability to get it at half the price is there.

]]> By: Chris G http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-68149 Chris G Wed, 11 Oct 2006 05:01:04 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-68149 My .Mac account is coming up for renewal in about two weeks and I - very reluctantly because I LOVE all things Mac - decided not to renew it. It's insanely expensive for what it provides which is not much. It's cranky, Mac mail has been a mess recently, the storage offered is ridiculous when you can now easily find other services offering up to 5GB free storage, and there are serious problems with almost all the other services it offers, such as iWeb. Apple needs at the very least to boost the amount of free storage offered, but it really needs to take a look at the whole thing. For $49 it might, might be worth thinking about. For $108 (including tax)? They gotta be kidding. My .Mac account is coming up for renewal in about two weeks and I - very reluctantly because I LOVE all things Mac - decided not to renew it. It’s insanely expensive for what it provides which is not much. It’s cranky, Mac mail has been a mess recently, the storage offered is ridiculous when you can now easily find other services offering up to 5GB free storage, and there are serious problems with almost all the other services it offers, such as iWeb. Apple needs at the very least to boost the amount of free storage offered, but it really needs to take a look at the whole thing. For $49 it might, might be worth thinking about. For $108 (including tax)? They gotta be kidding.

]]> By: vanni http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-68104 vanni Tue, 10 Oct 2006 20:23:22 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-68104 >If you guys hate is so much, don’t buy it. You’re free to choose. But stop ruining it >for the ones that use it on a daily basis. I think the criticisms offered come under fair comment. I use it, and I think it can be improved, and I welcome comments that are meant to improve the product. And I hope Apple listens ;-) >If you guys hate is so much, don’t buy it. You’re free to choose. But stop ruining it >for the ones that use it on a daily basis.

I think the criticisms offered come under fair comment. I use it, and I think it can be improved, and I welcome comments that are meant to improve the product. And I hope Apple listens ;-)

]]> By: Michael http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-68102 Michael Tue, 10 Oct 2006 20:06:44 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-68102 I spend half of the asking price for a dotmac-Box on ebay. The guy in China just provided me with the code and it worked. Be realistic - 99 Dollars is the maximum anyone ever payes for dotmac. Love to have my contacts in sync. I use iDisk syncing while working on my masterthesis on 2 Macs. It works like a charm. If you guys hate is so much, don't buy it. You're free to choose. But stop ruining it for the ones that use it on a daily basis. I spend half of the asking price for a dotmac-Box on ebay. The guy in China just provided me with the code and it worked. Be realistic - 99 Dollars is the maximum anyone ever payes for dotmac.

Love to have my contacts in sync.
I use iDisk syncing while working on my masterthesis on 2 Macs. It works like a charm.

If you guys hate is so much, don’t buy it. You’re free to choose. But stop ruining it for the ones that use it on a daily basis.

]]> By: vanni http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-68079 vanni Tue, 10 Oct 2006 17:25:17 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-68079 @heather: google's raison'etre is free because of eyeballs on ads. I don't see that changing any time soon if ever. If they do it's like commiting hari kari. @KD i had the fortune of having good advice on buying my .mac account on Amzon for 79US and then having it shipped to a US address, where the account was emailed to me... my cost 99CDN! But i agree with the thrusts of the comments herein. DOT MAC needs to be A) improved, eg. iDisk is too s l o w w w w ... and B) updated to current web standards. And there has to be a way to get to use the hompage / i web feature more robustlly. If you ever use the iLife tools to publish you end up having al of your custom pages overridden or lost! grrrrrr! this part of homepage B U G S me to no end! Any way i am in for another year, because i got my account at a reasonable cost. But i am keeping my options open. gDisk btw is a piece of junk. it never manages to upload big files, and even downloading fiels is buggy. @heather: google’s raison’etre is free because of eyeballs on ads. I don’t see that changing any time soon if ever. If they do it’s like commiting hari kari.
@KD i had the fortune of having good advice on buying my .mac account on Amzon for 79US and then having it shipped to a US address, where the account was emailed to me… my cost 99CDN!

But i agree with the thrusts of the comments herein. DOT MAC needs to be A) improved, eg. iDisk is too s l o w w w w … and B) updated to current web standards. And there has to be a way to get to use the hompage / i web feature more robustlly. If you ever use the iLife tools to publish you end up having al of your custom pages overridden or lost! grrrrrr! this part of homepage B U G S me to no end! Any way i am in for another year, because i got my account at a reasonable cost. But i am keeping my options open.

gDisk btw is a piece of junk. it never manages to upload big files, and even downloading fiels is buggy.

]]> By: Eytan http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-68076 Eytan Tue, 10 Oct 2006 17:14:02 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-68076 The last two years I have been buying my .mac discounted for ~75, punching in my code, and letting it renew with that code rather than the 99 tax apple charges. At those rates, I find it to be a great service. I wish they would open iChat encryption to all .mac accounts and not just the paid ones. Because of that, it NEVER gets used. The last two years I have been buying my .mac discounted for ~75, punching in my code, and letting it renew with that code rather than the 99 tax apple charges. At those rates, I find it to be a great service. I wish they would open iChat encryption to all .mac accounts and not just the paid ones. Because of that, it NEVER gets used.

]]> By: Heather http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-68057 Heather Tue, 10 Oct 2006 15:09:24 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-68057 With their acquisition of YouTube, I've been left wondering something about Google. What's going to happen when we've all become dependent on it for our mail, calendars, etc. and then they start charging for these things? With their acquisition of YouTube, I’ve been left wondering something about Google. What’s going to happen when we’ve all become dependent on it for our mail, calendars, etc. and then they start charging for these things?

]]> By: Yasser Dahab http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-67832 Yasser Dahab Mon, 09 Oct 2006 21:18:21 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-67832 Point taken, Myles. I'm actually not a huge Google fan either (the whole fear of the new evil-empire thing), but their services really are kicking some tail right now. Point taken, Myles. I’m actually not a huge Google fan either (the whole fear of the new evil-empire thing), but their services really are kicking some tail right now.

]]> By: Romain Guy http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-67805 Romain Guy Mon, 09 Oct 2006 20:24:03 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-67805 I actually like my .Mac subscription. Sure, I'm quite unhappy with the current webmail UI, I don't care about the personal web pages and iDisk/iSync is not always working perfectly. But I get an IMAP mail account, my adress book and my bookmarks online and that only is totally worth the price to me. I actually like my .Mac subscription. Sure, I’m quite unhappy with the current webmail UI, I don’t care about the personal web pages and iDisk/iSync is not always working perfectly. But I get an IMAP mail account, my adress book and my bookmarks online and that only is totally worth the price to me.

]]> By: Graham Hind http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-67793 Graham Hind Mon, 09 Oct 2006 19:41:54 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-67793 There's a utility called gDisk that does allow you to use part of your Google Mail space as an 'iDisk.' And when you add Google's menu bar notifier, plus how well Google's calendar works with iCal, you hardly need the sync services .Mac offers. Just import your iCal into Google Calendar, and then subscribe to the Google Calendar via iCal. Sync's regularly and easily and not only can you get it on any Mac you own, but any computer at all with an internet connection. (I've also made my Google Calendar my home page, just for convenience). Add to that Gmail's consistently good spam filtering, and .Mac has a long way to go to catch up. It's OK, but it is in no way worth 68gbp (incl tax). There’s a utility called gDisk that does allow you to use part of your Google Mail space as an ‘iDisk.’ And when you add Google’s menu bar notifier, plus how well Google’s calendar works with iCal, you hardly need the sync services .Mac offers. Just import your iCal into Google Calendar, and then subscribe to the Google Calendar via iCal. Sync’s regularly and easily and not only can you get it on any Mac you own, but any computer at all with an internet connection. (I’ve also made my Google Calendar my home page, just for convenience).

Add to that Gmail’s consistently good spam filtering, and .Mac has a long way to go to catch up. It’s OK, but it is in no way worth 68gbp (incl tax).

]]> By: Myles http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-67736 Myles Mon, 09 Oct 2006 17:33:40 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-67736 This "editorial" brought to you by Google Ads. This “editorial” brought to you by Google Ads.

]]> By: KD http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-67689 KD Mon, 09 Oct 2006 16:28:16 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-67689 I recently unsubscribed to .Mac after 2 or 3 years. It is a nice service, but just isn't worth it. In Canada, after taxes and everything the cost is about $160 a year. Gmail's big advantage is (unlike Yahoo), it offers free POP access with your regular mail program. Plus THREE TIMES the storage for free. My favourite part of .Mac aside from the E-mail was the integration with iPhoto. But using the iPhoto plug-in for Google mentioned here: http://www.maclive.net/sid/211 I can do the same thing. The pictures are nice and big and the interface is VERY similar to Apple's (almost actionably similar in fact). I had started to play around with iWeb and I'm sure I'll regret not having .Mac for that, but perhaps it will lead me to learn FTP web site updating. Like I said, I had no problem with .Mac's features, just their pricing model. I recently unsubscribed to .Mac after 2 or 3 years. It is a nice service, but just isn’t worth it. In Canada, after taxes and everything the cost is about $160 a year. Gmail’s big advantage is (unlike Yahoo), it offers free POP access with your regular mail program. Plus THREE TIMES the storage for free. My favourite part of .Mac aside from the E-mail was the integration with iPhoto. But using the iPhoto plug-in for Google mentioned here:

http://www.maclive.net/sid/211

I can do the same thing. The pictures are nice and big and the interface is VERY similar to Apple’s (almost actionably similar in fact). I had started to play around with iWeb and I’m sure I’ll regret not having .Mac for that, but perhaps it will lead me to learn FTP web site updating.

Like I said, I had no problem with .Mac’s features, just their pricing model.

]]> By: Rick Thompson http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-67678 Rick Thompson Mon, 09 Oct 2006 16:13:40 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-67678 I'm not sure the prognosis is as dire as some of you may think, but .mac is definitely not living up to its potential. Technologically, the tight integration with Mac OS X and the use of WebDAV are superior to anything I've seen from Google. But it does seem like the .mac division lacks the same innovative vision that we've come to expect from Apple. Perhaps a change in management is what is needed.... I’m not sure the prognosis is as dire as some of you may think, but .mac is definitely not living up to its potential. Technologically, the tight integration with Mac OS X and the use of WebDAV are superior to anything I’ve seen from Google. But it does seem like the .mac division lacks the same innovative vision that we’ve come to expect from Apple. Perhaps a change in management is what is needed….

]]> By: Yasser Dahab http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-67357 Yasser Dahab Mon, 09 Oct 2006 12:12:02 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-67357 That all depends on how you manage it, Jamie. There are some nice FTP clients out there that will automatically mirror folders for you. And at breakneck speeds compared to iSync. But you're right, it wasn't the nicest statement. That all depends on how you manage it, Jamie. There are some nice FTP clients out there that will automatically mirror folders for you. And at breakneck speeds compared to iSync.

But you’re right, it wasn’t the nicest statement.

]]> By: Jamie http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-67248 Jamie Mon, 09 Oct 2006 08:58:05 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-67248 "Google, of course, has a plethora of other services, though none offer the remote-storage functionality that you can get with iDisk and iSync. So, two points to Apple for seamless integration, but negative 5 points for making me pay for it. " Come on man, thats a ridiculous comment. Who else is offering anything as good as iDisk (complete with automated Backups) and iSync for free? Im not saying .Mac is worth the asking price, but for this specific feature, you cant shit on it for not being free. “Google, of course, has a plethora of other services, though none offer the remote-storage functionality that you can get with iDisk and iSync. So, two points to Apple for seamless integration, but negative 5 points for making me pay for it. ”

Come on man, thats a ridiculous comment. Who else is offering anything as good as iDisk (complete with automated Backups) and iSync for free?

Im not saying .Mac is worth the asking price, but for this specific feature, you cant shit on it for not being free.

]]> By: jameson http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-67071 jameson Mon, 09 Oct 2006 03:48:02 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-67071 I agree, it needs to be free. I am in the process of working for an apple store (fingers crossed) and i was told that encouraging .Mac sign ups is part of the job... I never saw a need for .Mac, and after reading over the features I too came to the conclusion that Google makes .Mac look like a rip off. I really hope .Mac goes free because I can feel good encouraging people to sign up! I agree, it needs to be free.
I am in the process of working for an apple store (fingers crossed) and i was told that encouraging .Mac sign ups is part of the job… I never saw a need for .Mac, and after reading over the features I too came to the conclusion that Google makes .Mac look like a rip off. I really hope .Mac goes free because I can feel good encouraging people to sign up!

]]> By: Derek Punsalan http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-67018 Derek Punsalan Mon, 09 Oct 2006 01:38:18 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-67018 I tried .Mac for the first time because I thought that I would enjoy the convenience of having all of my machines in sync. To my horror, .Mac did more harm then good trashing the settings on one machine despite being synced first with my main machine. I'll stick with my own homebrew solution syncing directories whenever I see fit. I tried .Mac for the first time because I thought that I would enjoy the convenience of having all of my machines in sync. To my horror, .Mac did more harm then good trashing the settings on one machine despite being synced first with my main machine. I’ll stick with my own homebrew solution syncing directories whenever I see fit.

]]> By: Mike Major http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-67014 Mike Major Mon, 09 Oct 2006 01:28:39 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-67014 The only reason I keep my .mac is for the sync. I have a mac at home and at work and that alone is worth the money. The only reason I keep my .mac is for the sync. I have a mac at home and at work and that alone is worth the money.

]]> By: Yasser Dahab http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-66977 Yasser Dahab Mon, 09 Oct 2006 00:00:50 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-66977 Absolutely. If Apple listens to much of the commentary on the web right now and started offering larger remote storage drives and seamless integration of services, .mac just may survive the quarter. Absolutely. If Apple listens to much of the commentary on the web right now and started offering larger remote storage drives and seamless integration of services, .mac just may survive the quarter.

]]> By: Todd http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-66971 Todd Sun, 08 Oct 2006 23:30:39 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-66971 .Mac has been left to wither on the vine, it seems. From .mac-only dashboard widgets that were promised and never delivered, nor acknowledged or explained by the useless .mac blog, to falling behind on a richer, better integrated and more complete experience, this product has just fallen way behind Apple's other offerings. Apple does, however, sometimes turn such problems around, so I'm hopeful that .mac will become worth the money at some point, but right now it feels like something from 5 or 6 years ago. .Mac has been left to wither on the vine, it seems. From .mac-only dashboard widgets that were promised and never delivered, nor acknowledged or explained by the useless .mac blog, to falling behind on a richer, better integrated and more complete experience, this product has just fallen way behind Apple’s other offerings.

Apple does, however, sometimes turn such problems around, so I’m hopeful that .mac will become worth the money at some point, but right now it feels like something from 5 or 6 years ago.

]]> By: Rich http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-66966 Rich Sun, 08 Oct 2006 23:03:19 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-66966 The only reason I renewed my .Mac subscription this year was because I got too damn lazy to change my e-mail address in all the places I've used .mac. That won't happen next year. dot-Mac is a bummer, and I could learn to live without iSync if I had to. Sad. So freakin' sad. It's the one thing Apple can't seem to get right. The only reason I renewed my .Mac subscription this year was because I got too damn lazy to change my e-mail address in all the places I’ve used .mac.

That won’t happen next year. dot-Mac is a bummer, and I could learn to live without iSync if I had to.

Sad. So freakin’ sad. It’s the one thing Apple can’t seem to get right.

]]> By: Heather http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-66965 Heather Sun, 08 Oct 2006 22:35:02 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/08/google-next-free-mac/#comment-66965 I did get the free .Mac account, which continues to allow me to use iChat. I never bought a .Mac account because I could never see a purpose. I use my Gmail account with the Mail program. In fact, this mix works far better than I had hoped when I first tried it. Even outgoing mail from my desktop ends up in my Sent Mail "folder" on Gmail. I did get the free .Mac account, which continues to allow me to use iChat. I never bought a .Mac account because I could never see a purpose.

I use my Gmail account with the Mail program. In fact, this mix works far better than I had hoped when I first tried it. Even outgoing mail from my desktop ends up in my Sent Mail “folder” on Gmail.

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