But the real truth is that if you're getting something for free, there's something in it for the people giving it to you, so they're probably not that trustworthy.

Except the Buffistas! I mean, since we take donations, we are paying for each other, but anyone can read. Remember the germans that had a thread where they were being amused by the Buffista Random Quote generator!

I have found Google to be pretty okay with this - for a long time my gmail account was very much personal only.

I have too. It's just all the Google+ shenanigans that have me questioning it. I really don't want 50 million email addresses; three is quite enough.

But the real truth is that if you're getting something for free, there's something in it for the people giving it to you, so they're probably not that trustworthy.

It makes me sad that anyone would actually feel this way, or that "everybody lets you down."

I don't remember Google asking me for any more information than yahoo or hotmail did in order just to get email. I know they're getting a bad rep right now,

It makes me sad that anyone would actually feel this way, or that "everybody lets you down."

I agree that the second one is sad, but "companies are trying to make money, and if they're not making money right now it's because they're trying to build a customer base to make money with later" isn't the same kind of pessimism, in my head. It's economics, and essentially the definition of a corporation. Their job is to make money. If they give something away, it's to help them make money elsewhere. Google makes a lot of money on their gmail advertisements, but I don't find it surprising that they're opening new revenue streams all the time and leveraging their current userbase to try to make them successful.

On the other hand, I think they generally do a decent job of letting you opt out of things. I haven't had anything to do with Google+, and whatever shenanigans you're discussing haven't infiltrated either my personal Google account or my work one. Back when Google Buzz first arose, I was annoyed with the rest of the world, but they gave me a "opt out completely" option quickly enough that they regained my goodwill. I continue to trust them, to the point that I trust any corporation, and more than most. I'd say I trust them the most of any of the large technology companies - well, actually I trust Apple more with my personal data since they are not currently in the data business as much, but since they seem to be heading that direction I'm not sure that will last. And there are other things I distrust about Apple.

Is this a scam?

Case#: xxxxx Date: 8/16/2011 Product: 390 Explorer

Thank you for the recent call you placed to Plantronics Customer Care relating to your request for technical support on a Plantronics product. We would like to confirm that your request was handled to your satisfaction. If you require any additional support for your product or would like information concerning the warranty on your product, feel free to contact us at 1.800.544.4660.

do you have a Plantronics product that you called and complained about?

I don't think I own a plantronics product and I'm pretty sure I haven't been making phantom customer complaint calls in my sleep.

I bet someone just mistyped the real customer's email.

Do you live in Futurama ? Otherwise "Plantronics" sounds like something unlikely you would have.

Plantronics are a popular brand of headsets. I've had them at more than one job.

So, Google Voice has some 202 numbers available. Why are they giving me a choice?!?!? I am paralyzed with indecision.