[geeks] Gmail's attraction

[Mike Hebel]

>> Come on.  Who is really incapable of all of FTP, HTTP sends, and P2P
>> clients?  Maybe a few exceedingly strict corporate networks, but if
>> they are that strict, I'd be surprised if they allowed email
>> attachments either.
>
> Well, here in "corporate land" I have experienced many folks incapable
> of FTP, HTTP sends and P2P clients, with the list of reason headed up
> by a lack of interest (in the sender's part).


That's sloppy user training by the IT person.  Unless suits are preventing
him from doing so there is _always_ some sort of solution.  Heck a public
webserver with lots of space and a time-limited storage system and a
simple file upload/download front-end would solve this.

> Email attachements are so convienient in MS Office applications
> (assuming typical users), that there is little motivation to explore
> other options. To be honest, I think the "Network Neighborhood" in
> WinXP is very useful (map to an FTP account, point and click to file
> destination, just like a windows folder), but under utilized. (It will
> remember user-id and passwords, removing the need for sticky notes
> under your desk phone ;^)


ftp done by Microsoft that way is also active only which doesn't work on
many closed firewalls.  If you turn of "folder view" it not only makes it
passive but it makes drag and drop not work right from my experience.

So far the simplest ftp solution I've seen is Ws_ftp.  It seems to "just
work" but like an application you have to teach people how to use it.

Mike
----
"I think we used too much!" - Chris Knight