On: Ask HN: what does Microsoft sell that you can't get for free?

[AlexMuir]

I just don't get this insistance on control over utility servers. If we take sensitive businesses out of the equation there's really no argument for it. How many times has gmail been down for me? Never. What about exchange/lotus notes? At least once a month. And even when they work they're shit.

[jsz0 → AlexMuir]

In my experience even small businesses often believe their data/privacy is too important to hand over to someone else.

[olalonde → jsz0]

I'm sure Google does a better job at securing their server than most small businesses.

[statictype → olalonde]

I'm sure most small business can secure their servers from Google infinitely better than Google can secure their customers' data from themselves.

Point being, maybe companies are not worried about Google's ability to protect them, but are worried about Google.

Certainly, there are horror stories about Google's customer support.

[duck → AlexMuir]

Things like email retention and recovery are two big features regarding control that I don't think Google gives you (at least last time I looked at it).

[smiler → duck]

You can add on Postini services to cover that if you need it

[ChRoss → AlexMuir]

When you're using gmail, you also dependent on the internet connection. And my opinion, for business email, having abc@yourcompany.com looks better than abc@gmail.com

[petervandijck → ChRoss]

1. You can have gmail offline easily, using a variety of clients.

2. You can have x@yourdomain.com, no problem with gmail for business.

[sjtgraham → ChRoss]

if you use the internet, you are dependent on the internet connection.

[niyazpk → ChRoss]

You can get abc@yourcompany.com in gmail. http://www.google.com/apps/intl/en/business/gmail.html