Gmail.net was started back in 2002. The "G" in gmail stands for graphical email.

Gmail's graphical look-and-feel is governed by such technologies as HTML, CSS, JavaScript and XML-RPC (aka AJAX).

By using these technologies the web interface can be made to look and feel more like a desktop application.

In fact, the initial version of Gmail perfected the ability to allow users to drag images directly in to their email message — a feature previously only seen in desktop email clients.

Upstart Struggles With 2, 800 Lb Gorillas

Q: Google owns this site, right?
A: No way, Jose.

Q: Then who owns it?
A: Me, myself and I.

Q: Are you a cybersquatter?
A: No. I owned and operated gmail.net long before Google acquired gmail.com — I know this for fact, since I was trying to acquire gmail.com before Google bought the rights to that domain name.

Q: Seriously, where's the proof?
A: Still don't believe me? Then use the WayBackMachine to search on gmail.com and gmail.net (aka Javeo). You will see that NetConcept owned the gmail.com domain as late as January 15, 2004. I suspect that Google purchased the domain name in February or March of 2004, right before releasing on April fools day, 2004.

... Q: Can I buy this domain name?
A: No, not unless your name is Larry and your partner's name is Sergey.

Q: Are there active email accounts?
A: Yes.

Q: How do I get my very own account?
A: You can't. Gmail.net accounts are not offered to the public at this time.

Q: Why did you create this Live Comments application?
A: I grew tired of receiving private flame-mail, so I decided to let the world see what you have to say on this subject.

Q: Are you harvesting our email addresses when we post a comment?
A: No, never. I'm not in the business of selling email addresses to promote spam — trust me, as a provider of email services to my elite users, I hate spam more than you do.

Q: Really, what are you going to do with this site?
A: Dunno. Maybe your comment will guide me.

Q: How do I contact you?
A: Just add a comment that might catch my eye. If that doesn't work, then send a suitcase full of unmarked $20 bills to...