Folks who are still using AOL are probably the ones who have low motivation to move to Google. This puts pressure on the conversion process, because it must be easier and more complete than what is currently out there. It also puts pressure on the GUI, since AOL users will probably want something that acts like the AOL interface that they are used to. One major area of decision (or, to be precise, indecision) is whether to provide a native application or a web-based application that mimics the AOL interface (but without the incessant yammering of advertising). Web-based applications are still klunkier than native applications (e.g., support for drag-and-drop, multiple windows, etc). We're still waiting for the browsers to catch up to a native (specifically Windows native) interface, but it hasn't happened in the last ten years (and may not happen in the next ten). Would be preferable to provide a GUI that does not require yet another web server to host a web application, but rather just a series of pages that will allow users to log in and view (or edit) their google data Another area of concern is the "tree/folder" structures that AOL provides for contacts, mail and "favorite places." Using search (or tags) is much more natural to people who are familiar with (and trust the searching capabilities of) Google. This, however, will require a change of mind-set for those who prefer to do their own "filing." It would be good to come up with a way (some combination of GUI and education) to move these users from their tree/folder mind-set towards a more flexible way of organizing. Holes (in Google conversion) that I currently see:
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