Google account. Should I/shouldn't I?

[ASC1951]

That's a bit unfair. Many people have no conception that by having a Clubcard, Tesco are actually tracking all their purchases and more. They haven't chosen to give up privacy, they haven't been adequately informed of what they are doing. ...

Then they are singularly stupid - there has been more than enough publicity for years. Ditto Facebook and all the other social media and networking sites: how else do users think it is funded?

 

[martint235]

Then they are singularly stupid - there has been more than enough publicity for years. Ditto Facebook and all the other social media and networking sites: how else do users think it is funded?

Again I feel that stupid is harsh. They probably think it is Tesco buying their loyalty (not their data) with points.

Do we know what Shaun does with all the data amassed through Cyclechat? And this isn't necessarily limited to registration data, for example it doesn't take much to figure out I own a road bike, that information would be useful to a cycle company particularly if multiplied by x number of users of CC.

 

[Spoked Wheels]

I wish I was in your position, google virgen, cause I would never go anywhere them.

 

[Danny]

I've had a Google account for several years with no problems.

On this positive side this not only gives you free access to Gmail but also to Google apps - i.e. their word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation packages, - 5 gb of document storage, and at host of other tools. One of the innovative things about these is that they were designed from the start to be multi-user tools so you can have two people editing a document or presentation at the same time.

The other advantage of Google is that it is (currently) platform independent so you can easily access your Gmail or apps from a Windows PC, Apple device, android phone, or even Linux if that's your thing.

If you want the free service, Google will scan your mail, and presumably documents, to gather supposedly annonomised information about your interests. I am not particularly happy about this, but assume that all the other big players do the same. And as others have said we now all need to assume that the NSA and GCHQ read our email regardless of which provider we use.

 

[albion]

You pays your money you takes your choice.
BTW your ISP mail as likely as not comes from a gmail server.

Anyone who needs to ask is bending over.

 

[Melonfish]

i got gmail addresses whilst it was still in beta, never looked back, cracking way to deal with accounts. it integrates my youtube with google plus too and my main mail account so it's like one giant cloud login (single sign on win)

 

[I like Skol]

I think I'm nearly ready. I have a few more preparations to make then I will sign up in the morning.......

 

[albion]

About 8 years ago i suggested on a forum that one day Google would become Skynet... oh how they laughed at me!
Wonder if 'they' remembered when Google bought the robotics company??? Laughing on the other side of their faces now.

Which one?

They own loads of Robotics companies. They are so paranoid they severe any military contracts first.

 

[Melonfish]

no that is the point they bought a shedload of robotics companies, they also use artificial intelligence routines for their search engines and apps, if they ever become sentient we're all boned.
thankfully google are yet to get a contract to manage ballistic nuclear arms.

 

[Over The Hill]

I probably sound like my dad here....

I use Google as a search tool. The choice to use them is based on the preference for their screen - nice and blank; not bombarding me with things I don't want.

I have email accounts.

Why do I then want to "sign up" with Google? What am I committing to and why do I want it?