Preface. I DO NOT HAVE ANY GMAIL INVITATIONS. I have given them all to friends, co-workers, and one random IRC acquaintance.
We know that Google's parceling out of Gmail invitations was a really smart marketing move. The invite system made the service seem that much more exclusive, and thus that much more desireable. However, I'm betting it wasn't their primary motivation. I suspect there was a far more important reason to launch the service this way: stability.
Here's a possible scenario.
Google finish the beta program for Gmail, and open subscriptions to the public. Over the next few days, millions of people subscribe and explore the interface. Many start pumping their mail archives into the service. This creates a load-spike orders of magnitude higher than the service would normally have to maintain.
At the same time, some Google engineer starts discovering that a number of parts of Gmail that they thought would scale linearly, don't.
Over the next month Gmail is down more often than it is up, none of the programmers are getting any sleep because they're too busy putting out fires, and some sub-editor at the New York Times decides "Gfail?" would make a good headline for the post-mortem, which really isn't good publicity for a company looking towards its IPO.
Invite codes are a really smart way to control growth. After a few weeks, anyone "in the know" enough to really want a Gmail account, can have one. At the same time, Google can control the service's rate of growth. There's no explosive rush, and if anyone notices something isn't scaling as well as it should, they can throttle back the issue of new invitations until the problem is solved, without too many sleepless nights.
Unfortunately, it's the sort of tactic that only works if you're as desireable a service as Google: giving Bob three invitations only helps if Bob knows three people who want to sign up. If you're just a startup with a good idea, an invitation program would just kill any chance of your service getting traction.
I wouldn't be surprised, though, if I saw future big-name MMORPGs opening their doors post-beta with an invitation program.
Don't mean to be a pest, but I am one of those people who are trying to get an invitation. If you can spare one, that would be so wonderful. Thank you for your time.
OlBlueEys@yahoo.com
Not only do you lack simple reading comprehension, you're a liar. You quite obviously do mean to be a pest. So piss off. Thank you for your time.
Really interesting thoughts. I think it was a brilliant marketing move. I posted more of what I think here: http://momandson.blogspot.com/2004/06/gmail-toss-up.html
I've been sent multiple invites for gmail. I didn't know they were such a hot commodity .. I think I deleted them all. It's _email_ .. what's the big deal?
Well, that's just it. It is just email and by using the invites they have made it seem like much more than that. To most people, getting an invite was a big deal and to many it still is (I've been approached by five or six people in the last week for an invite, of which I have none left). They did revolutionize the webmail market with both storage space and programming, but in the end it is little more than another free email address that Google made seem like much, much more. None of this is to say that I don't really like Gmail, but in the end, the hype is probably bigger than the product and I think that was the point.
I don't think I want a gmail account if you paid me. The fact that they scan every one of your emails so they can put ads in them is such a violation of privacy that it makes my flesh creep.
The amount of knowledge Google is amassing on each of us is astounding, but at least most of it is our public identity, but to let them see my private correspondence as well?
I've had an account for a couple of weeks - NO... I don't have any spare invites!!! - brillient marketing move on their part, I agree.
Can you give me invitation?
I'm of the humble opinion that the value of Gmail is not going to come in the initial release, but the way Google will most likely incorporate it into the rest of thier suite of services (Search, Toolbar, Blogger, Groups, etc).
Additionally, any free web based email service could look at your email theoretically. After all, it's on thier servers. So I have to say I'm not so off-put by Google parsing out people's emails to show them advertisements. Using a free web based email service means that your data resides on a box whose owner can look at it at any time. Unless there's a statute I am not aware of.
I agree with Zubin, re: searching/scanning email. Besides, it's software for crying out loud. Humans don't read the mail to put the ads...
Another side effect of the invites though-- not a lot of spammers or spambots can get their hands on an account. So, GMail becomes spammer-unfriendly.
personally I would be happier if it was people scanning through my emails, it would be so much less efficient! You guys are kidding if you think that it being a computer doing the scanning/indexing it is somehow MORE private, what is the whole point of a SEARCH ENGINE in the first place?
We are talking about GOOGLE people, they have brilliant programmers with an excellent search engine and shitloads of computing power, and this info is slowly being added to your already large profile.
read: http://www.gmail-is-too-creepy.com/ for the full rant, but hey if you aren't worried, I'm not worried for you!
Jed: So what if a computer program creates a profile about me? If you're really that paranoid, turn off/reject Google's cookies. And while you're at it, don't subscribe to webmails, don't use any ISPs.
As for me, I'm pretty ok with being able to use the service and have ads targetted specifically to my interests. Also, I have nothing to hide. So there. :)
Jed - Every webmail provider scans your messages for spam and/or virii. How do you think they accomplish that? -- Anyway, the very concept of the internet means that whatever you input to a remote site will go through many computers, each of them able to log/filter the packets.
Maybe you should use encryption like PGP, or disconnect your modem..
I want a account please, i need a invitation. Thank you
HELLO, PLZ give me a gmail invitation. my email is tan19xx@yahoo.com
Anyone here who can invite me for GMAIL? Plz i'm so greatful to you.
hello, i wish i have an account of gmail.. and i need an invitation .. can someone send me an invitattion .. my email at alwin4eva@yahoo.com
ES FANTASTICO,USO GOOGLE DESDE EL PRICIPIO Y JAMAS ME ARREPIENTO
ESPERO OBTENER UNA CUENTA CON MI MOTOR FAVORITO GOOGLE.
PLz invite me..
I want to Sign up in Gmail, please anybody can invite me …
It's funny how many of you didn't read the article at the top. THE WRITER (Charles Miller) DOES NOT HAVE ANY MORE INVITES! Almost everybody else who has said they have an account has also said they have no more invites. It seems to me that people who can't tell the difference between an informative article and an invite request forum don't deserve GMail accounts. I don't have one. I'm not asking either. Just follow my example and wait for public availability...
Please given 1 gmail invitation to my mail: urpraveens@yahoo.com
anyway, plz invite me, i need a gmail so much! plz, send the invitation to moonymercury@yahoo.com
anyway, plz invite me, i need a gmail so much! plz, send the invitation to moonymercury@yahoo.com
I've been thinking that for days now, finaly glad to see someone who shares my opinion
These are 1 Gb mail services :
www.maktoob.com
www.gawab.com
and much more if you search on the web !!!
Why this paranoïa about google , invitations ....
Thanks for the invite!!!!
WILL ANYONE SEND ME AN INVITATION FOR GMAIL? I WOULD BE THANKFUL TO THE PERSON WHO WILL DO SO BECAUSE I IT HAS BECAME A NECESSITY FOR ME.
riazsaad_durrani@yahoo.com
I also needs an invitation. I like the simpler looking interface
I saw in the screenshots. To me fancy UI is bogus if it take away
the speed & performance.
I don't understand all this privacy people. Its seems a madness to
me. Who ask you to use their service, no one's forcing you. And everyone in the internet profiles you. Microsoft & many other apps
from different vendors communicates without your concern (at least
to the best of my knowledge).
And to the paranoid persons, a computer is scanning for ad purpose
means no person is gonna know what you are upto. No companies will
know who are the person watching their ad unless you tell them youself. What more do you guys want.
There are real problems, fraud, cheating going out there. Go try to
solve problems that matters.
if you want a gmail invitation send me a mail to hector.chavez77@gmail.com
Hi dear friends,
I would like to get GMAIL A/c pls make invitation to my email id
shihax@yahoo.com
hi, i would like get an invitation to sign up for gmail, plz send it to my email address, thanks.
plz invite me, i need a gmail so much! plz, send the invitation to kpe423@yahoo.com
Hello there,
I need GMail so much and so badly, it will be of great benefit towards me and my family.
Thanks in advance
my email id;
dan_2r003@yahoo.co.uk
These comments are hilarious . . . Looks like anyone who mentions not having invites is automatically swamped with requests for them.
http://www.marklyon.org/wordpress/index.php?p=234
I agree that the invitation system was a very clever way to (a) build up interest and (b) control the speed of takeup of the service. And yes, the MMORPG market is a perfect place to institute this kind of system.
Hey guys...
I'm jes one of those people who would like to have a gmail account...
i'd be really thankful if they'd give me 1....
Please send me a Gmail Invitation to : jason_john89@yahoo.com
Please Really need one !!!
Hope You Can Consider it
THANKS !!!!!
I've found it's now getting difficult to give invites away, they seem to have given out batches of 6 to most users over the last few days, but everyone that knows about Gmail and wants that geek prestige has now already got one!
Maybe it's almost time for it to be released into the wild and leave Beta? Is there a pre announced time frame for exiting Beta?
No invites left now by the way, I've forced them upon people to get them away from hotmail!
Hello
I'm new here.My friend, I know it's about Gmail severce, and someone have Gmail invitation to share, it was really a very good news for me. You know, I'm a student who major in computer science, but I don't have enough web/mail space to keep my documents in, so, I really need a biger email space, especial the gmail account. I hope you are a kind person and, if available, you can give me one:) , many many thank!
Please mail me: wybetter@hotmail.com
Yours Truly
Buddy
Anyone need a gmail invitation. I just logged on this morning and I had 6 new invites given to me. Just email me at ad4rp@aol.com and give me your first and last name and email address and I'll send you one right away. Google requires a first and last name to be able to send you the invitation. Also I only want honest people who really need the invitations or who would just like to try out the gmail service to see what it's all about. First 6 people get the invites.
Hello ...
I'm new here. My friend, I know it's about Gmail severce, and someone have Gmail invitation to share, it was really a very good news for me. You know, I'm a student who major in computer science In Indonesia, but I don't have enough web/mail space to keep my documents in, so, I really need a biger email space, especial the gmail account. I hope you are a kind person and, if available, you can give me one:), many many thank friends ... !
Please mail me: aries_apl@yahoo.com
Aris
It would seem on the surface a brilliant marketing move to control growth, but wouldn't getting back to those who are on the waiting list B4 "ivitiations" be less offensive to those who signed up. If you don't want a larger sign up basis, shut down the sign up process.
Personally after signing up, finding out that people who didn't even sign up are now in on it, I feel betrayed by google (why have open signups when invitations are going out to people who had no clue google was going to have email based on strictly by who you know?) I for one plan to skip it due being offended, the data mining was a concern, now I'M PISSED!
Thanks for nothing directly google, but indirectly you got me 125mb on yahoo and iwon and excite and I no longer have to change my email addresses, allow blatant data mining, put all my hopes that one email server is secure and operating, or wait for a third generation "invite".
Yahoo has lots of enhanced features and I find it's search engine is improved to the point of often being superior to google.
It seems another large upstart alienated much of their true geek supporters, now it seems their products are the only real target of hackers.
Google, I no longer want the gmail acct I had signed up for, and I don't use Microsoft products any more than necessary (thanks linux, open office and mozilla!).
Hello, please give me a gmail invitation. My email is rvelasquez_2k@yahoo.es
require GMail invitation, send to
madhu_panisetty@rediffmail.com
i would love if u can send me an invitation please... i will really need it..... thanks a lot for ur help
hi
kann sie plz send me gmail einladungen mein email id
I would like to have a Gmail account. If you still have one extra inviation, could you please, please send it to me? I will greatly appreciate your help. Here is my email: sreejith_15@hotmail.com
Thanks in advance!
I still have 6 gmail invitations to give away. It seems as fast as I give them away, google gives me more. Anyone who would like to have one, I will give all 6 away. Just email me at ad4rp@aol.com and leave your first and last name with email address and I'll send you one.
Hmm... looks like everyone wants gmail. I had decided to wait up till final release but now that i se the demand for it, i want one too. Anyone wid a spare invitation please can u send one to me. I have a friend who has gmail but no invites if only he could get more invites. heres my email address: rapidslug86@hotmail.com
also, does anyone know when exactly hotmails gonna upgrade to 200 mb storage.
Please send me an invitation link for G Mail , it will be highly appreciated.
Best Regards,
Waseem Ahmed Zahid
Please send me an invitation link for G Mail at lovelywaz@yahoo.com, it will be highly appreciated.
Best Regards,
Waseem Ahmed Zahid
I still have 6 invitations to give away. Send me your first and last names and your email address at ad4rp@aol.com and I'll send you an invitation right away. The reason I need first and last name is because google requires me to fill it in a form when I send you the invite.
send me invitation to
rajpoot77@hotmail.com
Please send me an invitation link for G Mail , it will be highly appreciated
I would be pleased and very thankful if u send me the gmail invitation and my mail address is luvdude_k@yahoomail.co.in
plz send me gmail only one
I need a gmail invitation.pls send me.
dooh! cant you just wait till gmail ll be available without invites? it seems that everyone is goin crazy. if you could live without 1GB mailbox for years, do it some months more
I have 12 Gmail Invites - email me at lizardly@gmail.com
please invite me a gmail invitation.
21 Sep 2004
Gmail ! Gmail! Gmail !
Without you my life is heal.
You are only one for my email reception.
When you will come to me I will kiss you on your knee.
Saif from Bangladesh
hi,
im Seenu and i would like to have a gmail account., could u send me a gmail invitation please..
thanks
with regards
Seenu
i want gmail invitation pleease sned the invitation to my email adress
pls send me an invite to gMAIL!! id really like one and would find it extremely useful... im from AUSTRALIA and our servers suck down here!!! keep me in the loop!!! thanks mate!
gtcirella@yahoo.com
Please if it's possible to have a gmail account send me
Thanks
Arj
please can I have the possibility to receive a gmail invitation
Thanks in advanced
Alessandro
want to open a gmail account. plz send me an invitation.
i want to open a gamil account. will u plz send me an invitation?
razon
razon_s@hotmail.com
I've wondered that, too. But I had no practical reason for it.
And, at the moment (September 22, 2004 8:16 PM US EST) I have 6 invites. But check my site for current stats.
http://endeavour.zapto.org/astro73/
Señores, pf desearia contar con una invitación de GMail para ver las bondades que estan ofreciendo.
Ciao i wold ask you if there is the possibility to receive a gmail invitation. Please if you have one send me
Thanks
Ludo
plz any1 send me a invitation of gmail i'll b thank full. send it to humair_shaheen@hotmail.com
i get an invite please?
Hope i'm not too late...Thanks!
I am waiting for your reply.
-Naser
manmdnet@yahoo.com