Using Gmail for Music Sharing
Everybody knows that gmail accounts come with over two gigabytes (and counting) of space. I know that sound awesome, but who can use all that space for just emails?
This is a very crafty way to get more out of gmail. Personally, I feel it’s just a little too late. There are so many other ways to share files with friends whether it be services like dropload.com or just over IRC or any messenger program. The one advantage this does have is its a form of ‘permanent’ online storage which is a cool way to back up music files; however, at 2GB an account…Is it even worth it? Also, how many friends would you actually feel comfortable sharing that password with… I can’t think of too many - but hey, maybe that’s just me. 
Last I checked it was a 10 meg file limit size.. Movies can be done with a number of third party applications like Peer2mail though it will take a LOOOONG time to reattach all the parts. Well its a practical idea for music, but for video files its pretty impractical. Video files are just too large to be segmenting into tiny files and then sent and “recompiled”.
According to Google’s policies on the usage of Gmail, you are not allowed to give other people access to your “personal” gmail account. Now I’m not saying that I don’t share any gmail accounts me and my mates have, but don’t be upset if Google shuts the account down for breach of its policy on sharing, I know it’ll be pretty hard to prove you’ve shared access but it might happen (but its a long shot).
This is all well and good, until Google decides to scan the accounts looking for those with excessive numbers of files and removes those accounts for violating the TOS. Google shouldn’t be able to detect your sharing an account because the site will act as a proxy and Google will only see one IP. Of course this also slows it down quite a bit. Not saying they’ve done it yet, but I consider it just a matter of time, really.
Bear in mind that accounts that transfer a lot of data in a short period of time (lets say around a gig in 6 hours) are suspended by gmail. Although in most cases are unsuspended 24 hours later.
This is why I use the GMailFS for personal use. Works the same, but you can download from your gmail account. Get the latest GMailFS, create a filter to filter “GMailFS” to a label and archives and your in the sunshine.