Upgrading Gmail Capacity

So this is what happens when you ignore Gmail's appeals that you've exceeded your storage quota.

Fortunately Gmail lowered their cost to just $5.00 for 20gb as I reported earlier, and I just happened to have a little less than P300.00 in my Unionbank Eon Account, so I decided to go ahead with the purchase (not that I have any choice. Either I do this or stop sending and eventually receiving messages).

Above is what greets you when you click 'purchase additional storage' on the pink area on top of the 1st image above. I'm just going for 20gb., more than enough for a couple more years at the rate I'm going, I hope.

Next page after that is Google Checkout, indicating the Quantity, Item Description, Price and Total Price like a proper receipt and invoice should. I blotted out my credit card details and unchecked the 'Send me special offers..' options and just opted to keep my email add confidential (the alternative of which I'm curious about). Onwards..

Connecting..

Thanking me. It takes 24 hours to process this, so my problem above (couldn't send outgoing mail because I exceeded my storage quota) was still a problem, and I still couldn't send. I found a temporary quick fix by deleting the contents of my Trash and Spam folders.

Here's a pic of my inbox with the Receipt from Google Checkout for $5.00, and a no-reply message indicating that the Upgrade to 20gb. is on its way. Kinda like a job order announcement thingy I suppose, part of their SOP.

And finally 24 hours later, voila! I am now taking up 26% of 27.2gb (7.2gb).

Clicking 'Manage' shows above page, where I can change plans even more. Remember changing capacity also allows for saving images in Picasa, but I happen to be a longtime Flickr user so no need for that. Besides the way I'm eating up email space I'll need all I can get.

But Why?

I know what some of you are thinking. Why am I using Gmail when I can, say, use Outlook instead and save all my email on my hard disk? And also, Why in heck am I taking up so much space?

Answer to the first question is that I access my email via different methods at any given time (my PC, laptop, borrowed laptop, phone, iPod or internet cafes), and very much enjoy the freedom to do so. Saving emails either in multiple locations or an offline location can get extremely frustrating and annoying.

I also prefer to have one and only one 'main' email address, which is another fantastic time saver for both myself and people who contact me. I've even forsaken the use of my domain (ghmercado@exchange.ph - which exists), just so I don't confuse people. Giving multiple email addresses makes them wonder which to send to, and of course changing email address in the middle of a conversation is sure to make you lose track of what you were talking about.

Besides, people know Gmail and I'm just too lazy to explain 'exchange.ph' all the time. A rule I go by is that if you have to take 5 seconds to explain your email address and domain, then think twice. Imagine trying to explain to non techies that your email ad is 'john.gunigundo@furniture-provider.net.ph'. They'll probably get it wrong 2 or 3 times at each hyphen and 'dot' and even then, who's gonna remember it?

Answer to the 2nd question is - I'm not really sure. I'm quite disciplined with what stays in my inbox and what gets deleted. I instantly delete jokes and mass sent emails amongst friends that include .pps files and video clips, and seldom if ever send any myself. I do however, maintain each and every email conversation I have with clients. Believe me, having a record of who said what and when has saved my ass dozens of times, especially when things go awry (ie. Client: Are you sure you returned the items we lent you? They're missing! Me: Yes, here is a copy of our conversation 6 months ago, with inventory of items returned, and your acceptance. Client (sheepishly): Ok).

Situations like above are rare, but the satisfaction you get from them is priceless, and the added benefits Gmail provides (security, anti-spam, etc.) make P200+ a small price to pay.

Btw I'm using the Gmail 'High Score' optional theme so it doesn't look like your typical Gmail inbox'