My primary email is hosted with Hotmail because it's been around for ages and I've also been using it for ages, as with my friends and Yahoo! users. However, I really like Gmail - it essential does the job in an efficient manner. Quick, big, easy.
Like: - Huge storage space - Excellent spam filter Dislike: - Ajax routines delaying initial page load and sometimes delivering blank pages needing to be refreshed - Hard to configure on your email client ·
Do i like gmail and why, yes i do and its because it keeps growing, i can find my way around it fast and i backup all my blogger posts to it.
gMail's features are great, but sometimes their server does fuck up/they experience 'technical difficulties'..
Gmail does the trick for me for a few reason. 1. Lots of storage (over 6gb now) 2. I can receive/send email for up to 5 other addresses (all my other addys get popped into Gmail) 3. It's one web interface so no matter when I am I can get my mail. 4. Reliable (occasionally a few hickups but nothing super bad). 5. One Google login allows you to use many other serivces (Webmaster Tools, Analytics, Froogle, Google Docs and Spreadsheets etc.)
You said it . I used to use hotmail but the interface is crappy and I prefer Google's minimalistic design. I even changed my MSN to use my gmail addy.
I was one among the few who got invitations from google to sign up for the gmail when it was in the beta phase. Now it is open for every one to have an account. I consider the gmail as a safe, secure and trusted way of doing business and the options it provides is simply awesome. Though it is slower to load (you don't have that patience with dial up), it is from the trusted brand that makes me to stick on with it. Many free email service providers have downed their shutters; that is a different story!