Re-read the original article. When someone writes with such extreme language about a transaction they've apparently gotten value out of - then fail to even mention the idea of exit, then I suppose my response will let a little condescension and self-righteousness seep through.
Your inability to understand that is just not relevant.
The reason you are being downvoted to oblivion (as you should be) is that your entire argument is a red herring.
Whether the author continues to use Google services is utterly and completely irrelevant. The point of contention here is the sleazy way Google re-activates a service for them after they have explicitly disabled it. If your answer to this dilemma is to stop using Google services altogether, then I'm sorry but you just lost all credibility and will not be taken seriously.
Why? I try to use Google services as little as possible because I feel like they don't respect my privacy. I think it's reasonable that people who bitch and moan about Google but refuse to seek alternatives (they're out there!) are a part of the problem, not a part of the solution.
>>I think it's reasonable that people who bitch and moan about Google but refuse to seek alternatives (they're out there!) are a part of the problem, not a part of the solution.
Only if you think blaming the victim is reasonable.
Look, everyone knows that alternatives to Google exist. The problem here is that Google has pulled a massive bait and switch on its entire userbase. They started as a company that put its users first, and over time turned into one that tries to extract as much money from users as possible. And while it is possible to switch to other services, for a lot of people and companies this involves a significant time investment as well as an upheaval of processes and resources.
Heck, as a single individual, my Gmail address is listed in at least 25 different locations. Remembering what those are and then changing them alone would take me hours. And then there's static documents with my email address on them - resumes, cover letters, business letters, business cards, and more. Finally, there is the question of whether my new email provider offers integrated solutions for instant messaging, content sharing and collaboration, calendar, and more.
Basically, Google is a monopoly -- not in the sense of market-share but rather in terms of the completeness of their offering, and they are abusing the shit out of this. That's what's making people angry, and they have every right to be angry.
Your inability to understand that is just not relevant.