Gmail finally forced the new update on me last week. I'm one of those who generally resists change unless functionality is missing for me, and it wasn't missing in what I wanted from gmail email service. All of the new features and layout and the fact it's more like a control center and such just did not do it for me. Confusing, stuff I don't want or need clutters everything, basically I feel herded into accepting stuff in there that I don't want because they want me to get used to it... bleh!

When I read an email and see pre-made single-click responses waiting for me based on what G thought would be a good response... too far(for me, some may like it).

Then I found the nuclear option, this wonderful little button at the bottom of the page that says "basic html". Perfection! The basic html version simply lists the emails in order they were received, does not embark on complcated trees, does not work them as conversations... just good old emails sorted by date in a super clean and uncomplicated 90's layout.

I love it. I was literally begining to look for a new email service after the forced update, I dislike it that much, I pray they never remove the "basic html" version or complicate it in any way. Maybe I'm old, but I don't want a huge increase in functionality for things I don't want or need. Simple is better! I even love the full page reply box built into the look without a seperate popup box... is it just me or is the basic html version the new cat's meow ?