Gmail:2004, Mesh:2008

Do you get that analogy? You will if you’ve been hanging out on the internet long enough. I’m recalling how hard it was to get a Gmail invite back when it first launched. That was the elite service to get into back in 2004. Luckily, I didn’t have to wait too long, allowing me the ability to snag the email address sarahperez at gmail. It’s nice to have your name without any numbers on the end!

Well, it’s beginning to look like Windows Live Mesh is this year’s Gmail. Invites are so scarce that a site called ShareMesh has launched to try to hook up those in need of an invite with those who have invites. As it stands right now, there are 2291 people looking for a Mesh invite on the ShareMesh site and only 268 users with invites to give.

It’s a great idea to organize everyone interested in Mesh via a website, but ShareMesh is still missing the bartering component that the Gmail Swap (warning: ads!) website had back in its day. Remember how people were offering up favors, gifts, services, postcards, other invites, and even cash in return for receiving a Gmail invite? That’s what ShareMesh.com needs…bribes.

My friend Vlad remembers eBay invites going for $20 on eBay. He will be happy to know that we’re not there yet with Mesh (because he thinks Mesh will doom Microsoft).

I’ve been using Mesh for a bit now, and I am happy to report it’s pretty darn cool.  You can read more about my Live Mesh experiences on Channel 10.