Why would anyone use Hotmail? Unless it has radically improved in the last several years, I don't get using it instead of Gmail at all.

Some people might be concerned about allowing Google too much power. If you use google to do almost all of your internet searches (a good chance) you might be leary of using the Google desktop and google mail because you'd basically be handing the keys to your entire computer existence to them. Personally I'd rather use mail and forgo the desktop, as I don't see where desktop searches are either all that critical or all that time consuming.

I use a web-based e-mail program, Squirrel Mail, through my webhost. That's because I haven't bothered figuring out how to forward mail from my address to a Gmail account, and also because I like to periodically download my mail to my desktop computer and use Thunderbird. There's probably a way to do that with Gmail; I just haven't looked.

I believe Gmail can be configured to download your POP3 email into your Gmail account. I know that Gmail can be configured as a POP3 service, for you to download to Thunderbird.

I use a web-based e-mail program, Squirrel Mail, through my webhost. That's because I haven't bothered figuring out how to forward mail from my address to a Gmail account, and also because I like to periodically download my mail to my desktop computer and use Thunderbird. There's probably a way to do that with Gmail; I just haven't looked.

Yahoo recently upgraded its mail service. I'd try it out, but their spam filtering is so bad my long-time address (close to 10 years) is practically worthless.

Likewise I also have a yahoo address that I only use for spam... when I need to sign up for something and want an account for the registration/confirmation to go to.

But I wouldn't want to live a day without gmail.