SA companies launch rival GMail.co.za

How do you feel about this?

  • This is not right. They should have done something more original.

    Votes: 73 60.8%

  • I don't really care much.

    Votes: 12 10.0%

  • It is local and it is free. Good stuff!

    Votes: 21 17.5%

  • Not sure yet...

    Votes: 4 3.3%

  • They should be entitled to use the domain regardless of how I feel

    Votes: 10 8.3%
  • Total voters
    120
Haha - I give this 1 month max.

Passing off perhaps?
Dilution of Trademark?

Big G is gonna be pissed .
Just because they flew under the radar for a few years while they did nothing with the domain
doesn't mean they are not going to come up on it now. If Google didnt have a case before , I'm pretty sure they do now.

http://web.archive.org/web/20070127082932/http://www.gmail.co.za/

I want to see what Dominic thinks....
 
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Well the company running it use the G<insert random name>.co.za already so not sure how much of a case google will have against them. They're making the effort to use the url and are not just parking on it. You snooze you lose.

However, what a bloody malarkey trying to register. They ask for so many details you almost feel violated by the CIA at the end of the process. And the webmail interface is absolutely disgusting - strewn with flashing advertising all over the show. Definitely not aesthetically pleasing at all - headache material is what it is and I reckon a grade 6 geek could code something better looking than that. And after 3 minutes of having a gmail.co.za account, I've started receiving spam already. Free fax2email service stating I have to activate my number with them. And the email service is limited to 20megs as well.

All in all, my first impression (the one that counts) is that this service is far from great and doesn't warrant much attention. Yes, nice that it's local, but it's not an enjoyable experience using the email service and they require too many details from a person in order to register. 3 pages of what can only be considered marketing siphoning is required to get an email address and the second email sent to the box is just spam. A nice idea, but poorly implemented - weak on their if they believe we must sacrifice on standards for the sake of the service being local...
 
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Totally agree with the violation part. The first page I can live with - I closed the tab on the second page. They need more information than FICA. Tossers.
 
Hell I got excited, just to be brought back to earth with a reality check. I knew its to good to be true. Thanks for the up! I pass!
 
I'll think google will take them on wasn't there recently a domain name dispute with mixit.co.za where mxit.co.za took them on and won due to the name being used in relation to same industry as mxit is in
 
Oh dear...

"Gmail In South Africa
Webmail International, South Africa's leading Free EMAIL service with over 800 000 users and IT solutions company called Gardale Solutions,"

Really?.. Ive never heard of them before...
 
Just registered and it is a piece of c***. The site is absolutely useless. Anyone can take a free webmail client and load it onto a server. I vote bomb the silly idea and rather give google gmail.co.za so they can host a local server here.
 
trademark, it won't last besides you can already get gmail on your phone with their small app.
 
Thanks for the warning DJK.
Spam and me are not friends.
I looooooove google's spam filtering.

This site sounds like a spam directing service, hence all the questions, an effort to direct the correct spam at you.

:eek:
 
w1z4rd said:
Oh dear...

"Gmail In South Africa
Webmail International, South Africa's leading Free EMAIL service with over 800 000 users and IT solutions company called Gardale Solutions,"

Really?.. Ive never heard of them before...
Click to expand...

You know, when I read about the website design, or lack thereof, and 3-page marketing survey required to register, I was think that it sounds like Webmail had a hand in it... and meanwhile they ARE it.... lol

B
 
webmail is the worst written web mail client ever, its buggy as hell, and slow as hell. Not to mention " dont will not spam you" which you come back 2 days later and have 2000 unread spam emails. pathetic.

They have nothing on google or there gmail service they offer and never will.
 
FAIL! Started registering and then chucked it. Waaay too much details they want.
 
These guys have taken everything that makes gmail.com great and thrown it down the toilet. Gmail.com is NOT just about the space, I only use 120mb. Sorry guys but gmail.co.za is just rubbish.

And its not 10GB its 20MB, and 1000 messages! They could at least thin provision the storage to keep up appearances. And the interface is lousy; too much happening.... Sad really.

The Spam filter is junk....
 
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Everyone's comments above sum up my experience.

The sign up process is ridiculous. I'm surprised they didn't ask for your ID number, banking details and your PIN number.

The actual site layout is terrible. All of the adverts are overpowering. I understand you need advertising to offer a free service, but atleast with gmail.com they show some class.

The only advantage I can see is if they host locally then you'll be able to access your mail even when capped.

It's a free email service. Use it, don't use it, its up to you. I certainly will NOT be using it.
 
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