[sounds]

I'm loving this discussion, but how would we convince even 1% of internet users to switch?

Unless I am badly mistaken, you propose we tell people: "abandon all the services you've grown to like about the internet. Let's reboot the internet within the confines of this new secure service."

No sarcasm intended - a new service, with real security, would still lack a "killer app."

[eternalban]

How about email without spam, guaranteed, as just one example?

[sounds]

In case it needs repeating, I would subscribe. I want this to happen.

I'm guessing I don't understand the email service, but if I assume it's separate from the current SMTP world, then...

• gmail is currently "good enough" most people wouldn't see 100% spam blocking as a big improvement

• no address for inbound email; can't post "my address" online

• friction to get the service set up, because an email client is included already on my machine, my phone, etc.

• might cost extra to be able to read my email anywhere (i.e. "cloud email storage")

Ok, so if it's so hard to replace email, how can it be done? Instinct tells me that until gmail loses some of its shine, nothing is going to happen. But gmail is more vulnerable than people think, and having a workable alternative when the time comes would go a long way toward getting people to switch. And if gmail fails, it's not going to be Yahoo Mail that steps up to fill in - gmail is the peak of traditional email services. I don't see how, from a technical standpoint, you could do any better than gmail without abandoning SMTP email altogether. (And I mean gmail along with all the accessory programs to make it perfect, i.e. iPhone integration, google apps for your domain, etc.)

[eternalban]

> In case it needs repeating, I would subscribe. I want this to happen.

Good to know. I'm wondering if kickstarter is the way to go, but all that has to wait as I need to first pay the rent :-) [My email is in my profile.]

[sounds]

The "email" box in your profile is not shown publicly. If you want to put it in the "about" section, I'll email you :-)

[eternalban]

Done.