Why you need gmail and ...

The future of the web is starting at Google, if you aren't familiar with it now, you will be playing catch up rather soon.

If you already have a gmail account, you should have come to terms with a plethora of new features. The web based applications similar to Microsoft's Excel and Word, not to mention the Blogger apps. (shameless plug, I know) are all testing grounds hinting at a major shift in the world of computing.

Aside from the power of Google search, and the web based applications, gmail, is by far, the most powerful email provider available on the web. The virtually limitless
storage and the infinite saving capabilities make this email effortless in it's use.

Back to the point. Web Based Applications. These are programs that are run on the internet, not on your computer. This is the future of computing. Entire urban cities (Portland, DC, NY) are creating free wireless networks for all citizens. Soon, you'll be able to connect wirelessly anywhere you go. With this connectivity, and the advent of web-based applications, the need for a notebook computer will be replaced with notebooks made of nothing but monitors and keyboards. When you log onto the web you'll be able to do any one of a number of things, from online banking, to word processing, to photo editing all on a remote server. Your new "laptop" will cost nothing compared to the powerful laptops of today and will be able to do 90% of the work you are currently using them for.

Examples:
Right now there is a great site available as a FREE alternative to Microsoft office:

www.thinkfree.com

A completely free “online alternative to Microsoft Office”, ThinkFree lets you create, collaborate on and store documents and files. Creating and storing files on the web, for remote access and retrieval....SWEET!