Drapers Know Best

Some years ago, our brother in-law recommended Gmail to us. I believe he even sent us an invitation. He had told us all the advantages of joining up including all manner of numbers and statistics (Tom? Numbers? NEVER!!) about things like megarams and gigaseconds. We contemplated and considered, weighing all the pros and cons in various pertinent categories. How did it compare with our current service as far as its organization, userability and storage space. Gmail won out in all of these areas. But there was one ultra-important consideration that would trump all others: would it be easier, short term, to switch to the far superior Gmail or to keep our current account? We stuck with hotmail. (Remember us? Lazy and Lazier?)

A month or two later Greg's boss sent him an invitation to join Gmail. Suddenly nothing made more sense than to join right up. So we did. And we love Gmail. And at some point we remembered that, Oh, yeah. Tom already told us all about this.

A month or so ago, Tom's better half told me about how she used Google Reader to alert her when there had been any recent posting on the blogs she reads. Oh, Google Reader isn't for me, I told her. I'm really into blogging, and therefore must do all my blog searching by hand. I explained to her about the suspense before getting onto someone's blog and wondering-- did they or didn't they? They DID! Or, nope, on to the next blog. Then the next and the next. What a way to spend an hour (give or take--usually give) in the morning. Then another in the afternoon, and one more before bed. No, Google Reader would completely disrupt my way of life.

So this morning I go to check and see if one of my fellow tagees (who I do not know) from the mom tag, Sharon, has done hers with her kid. She hadn't, but she did mention about how she uses Google Reader. Google Reader! What a great idea! I went straight into looking it up and started subscribing to all my favorite blogs. This is wonderful! I can still find out if anyone has posted lately, but now it takes 3 seconds to find out, intstead of 3,000. How much less time I will spend on the computer! Imagine all the books I can read to my kids! Think of the fun we'll have making crafts together! How great will it be to go to the park before it gets too hot! I'll be a better mother. My kids will learn more. We'll be amazing! We'll be a lot like Su and....her.... kids. Oh. That's right. NOW I get why Su is such a great mom. Google Reader!

So, uh, note to self: when the Drapers recommend something a) it will very likely be something run by Google* (this one isn't that important to remember) and b) listen to them! (this is the one we want to stick).

*This just reminded me that she was also trying to get me to blog (using Blogger--Google!) for a year or so before I started, and we all know how much I hate blogging. Another bad recommendation!

*I know some people are afraid Google is planning to take over the world, but seriously. It's either China or Google. Google or China. Hmmm, forced 16 hour days in a sweat shop or the promotion of workplace fun and creativity? And think how organized and efficient the world will be, and how well everyone will keep in touch with each other. C'mon, join Gmail. Use Google Reader. Get on Blogger. Your vote counts! Thwart China!

*This SO was not meant to be a post about Google! I only noticed it was when I wrote that note to self at the very end! So it looks like the company is establishing its gradual world domination by affecting our sub-concious as well. And apparently the Drapers are in on the whole thing!