02.26.09
Microblog: Gmail Is Only Human
Nothing in the world works 100% of the time. That’s a fact of life.
Why is it then when Gmail goes down for two hours – or the Twitter “fail whale” comes up – people go crazy? Hey – people – do YOU ever do anything 100% of the time – every day, all day, every day of the year?
Neither do I.
Why, then do most people just expect all software, hardware and Internet connections to be up 100% of the time? Well, I guess because we’re starting to come to see them as utilities like electricity and phone. They’re just supposed to “work” all the time.
And, when they don’t – we get a little panicked. Do you remember the last time the electricity went out?
It also means that if you have only a single source for your email (or social networks or whatever) – then you’re choosing to put all of your eggs in one basket. That means – that WHEN (not IF) your favorite service goes down (and they ALL will at some point) – take a chill.
Pull out some paper and jot down your notes with a “pen” – or save them in a text file so you can immediately flame the company and have your inflammatory blog post all ready to go when the service DOES come back up.
That’s what I do…
