Runbox vs Gmail: Is Google Taking Over?

[John Lane]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://runbox.com/' target='_blank'>http://runbox.com/</a><br /><br /></div><p><img height="309" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1229064039.usr18286.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" width="464" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>A few years ago, I wanted a robust email service for my domain name.&nbsp; After comparing several alternatives, I picked <a href="http://runbox.com/" target="_blank">Runbox</a>.&nbsp; It has a lot of great features - virus protection, spam filter, very large email limits and it collects email from other sources including Gmail, Hotmail and my ISP's.&nbsp; I have been very happy with it and it has never let me down.&nbsp; But now, Google offers Gmail for domain names - and it has a free version.&nbsp; After comparing the two, Gmail has a faster webmail interface and has better IMAP support.&nbsp; Plus, Google backs not only incoming email, but outgoing email too, even if you use another program to send it (like Outlook).&nbsp; And, all your email is instantly searchable via Google desktop search.&nbsp; With all that, I have to wonder, will Google eventually take over?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[icatar]

I used to run my own Exchange server at home for my own domain and just recently switched over to the Google Apps free version. I had looked at both Google Apps and the Windows Live Custom Domains version and eventually picked Google because they have a sync application for the Blackberry that allows me to sync Contacts and Calendar items. The setup was a breeze and I've been pretty happy with the Google version so far.

[ptyork]

I switched my domain over to Gmail (Google Apps) a bit over a year ago, now. I haven't regretted it, but there are some limitations. First, IMAP is still pretty slow, though better then it was when it first came out. Second, you have to put up with their draconian policies. For instance, NO exe, dll, source code, scripts, etc can be attached to an email, even if it is included in a zip file. This isn't configurable. This is pretty bad for someone who teaches programming like me, though I suppose for others it isn't a big deal. I just don't quite get why they'd do this (attachments are all scanned for viruses anyway). Finally, if you do integrate other addresses, you can send from these addresses, but they all indicate your primary email address in the header (and is plainly visible to standard clients like Outlook). Also, you can't control how often it checks other email addresses. None of these are showstoppers, but they are annoyances.

Anyway, I doubt they'll take over. However, I do think that the death of small-time email hosts is fast approaching.

[Jason Dunn]

It's definitely hard for smaller companies to compete with what Google offers, especially for free. I have several friends/family members set up with theirname.com domain names and they're all using Google Apps for Domains and it works really well for them. Gmail is a great system for many people. Not for me mind you. :D

[Jason Dunn]

For instance, NO exe, dll, source code, scripts, etc can be attached to an email, even if it is included in a zip file. This isn't configurable.

Wow, I had no idea - that would be a show-stopper for some people. I'm surprised Google doesn't allow an override of some sort.

[David Tucker]

Wow, I had no idea - that would be a show-stopper for some people. I'm surprised Google doesn't allow an override of some sort.

Yeah...I was going to experiment with this tonight. Not anymore. I would be some people. :(

[doogald]

IFor instance, NO exe, dll, source code, scripts, etc can be attached to an email, even if it is included in a zip file.


That's weird. Does this also happen if you encrypt the zip file? If so, I suppose you could do something like create a Truecrypt image of the zip file and just send the passcode with the file . . .

[ptyork]

That's weird. Does this also happen if you encrypt the zip file? If so, I suppose you could do something like create a Truecrypt image of the zip file and just send the passcode with the file . . .
No, if you encrypt it, just password protect it, or even if you change the extension, then Google doesn't kick it out. So you CAN get around the issue as long as both senders and recipients are somewhat intelligent. Sadly, that doesn't apply to many of my students. :(

Interestingly, unlike seemingly every other corporate'esque email system, it DOES allow unfettered Microsoft Access database attachments. Odd...

[John Lane]

I saw that they wouldn't let you attach an EXE file, but I figured it was outlook security and that you could zip it. That is a bummer. I would hate to explain to my wife to add the .exe back.