Web site offers after-death e-mail - GoFuckYourself.com

robfantasy · 09-25-2004, 08:00 AM

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/interne....ap/index.html

Web site offers after-death e-mail
Saturday, September 25, 2004 Posted: 10:37 AM EDT (1437 GMT)

MADRID, Spain (AP) -- E-mail from beyond the grave? Not exactly.

But a Spanish Internet company is breaking fresh ground on the Web by offering people the chance to write one last e-mail, complete with video clip or photo attachments, and send it to loved ones, friends or even enemies after the person who wrote it is dead.

"Most people leave notes behind in drawers or boxes knowing or hoping they will be found after they die.

"This is the same, but via Internet," said Alberto Iriarte, 33, director of Global Spectrum, the Pamplona-based company which runs the service.

He said that the site, with English, Spanish and Portuguese versions, has been running since January but only really began to take off in July.

More than 300 people have signed up so far, the majority of them from Spain, Brazil and the United States, he said.

"We're getting some 200 hits a day, of which an average of two become clients," Iriarte told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from the company's office in Brazil.

The site offers four plans, which range from a free service that allows users to send just one e-mail, to a lifetime membership that allows for unlimited e-mails and megabytes of storage space, but can cost up to euro200 (US$240).

Mid-range packages cost between euro9 and euro18 (US$11-22) a month until users die. In the meantime, they can update and rewrite those final farewells as often as they like.

"People find computers more intimate and private than letters and they feel freer to say things this way," said Iriarte, a Pamplona-born computer engineer.

"Some people say we're trying to make money out of death, but it's not like that," Iriarte said. "We see it as trying to help people get over the grief."

Strict privacy is guaranteed by powerful encryption algorithms and a personal password of 128-bits to which only the client, and not the Web site, has access.

Global Spectrum unleashes a client's e-mails once it is notified and confirms that the person is dead. On signing up, clients are given a document to be placed with a trustee who will use it to inform the company of the client's death.

"It's not a substitute for a will," said Iriarte. "It's a modern version of that drawer or box where we have always left our letters."

Clients, however, have to take Global Spectrum's word that, unlike them, it will still be around to send the e-mails and won't have perished into cyberspace.

Taboo · 09-25-2004, 08:07 AM

Very similar to the business Andy Garcia runs in this movie:
Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead (1995)
it was called "Afterlife Advice" and you could leave videotaped "advice clips" to your loved ones after you're gone. it is an interesting and easily-pursuable concept.

by the way, the movie is currently playing on one of the premium cable networks, on demand, if anyone wants to see it. (it's a mafia movie w/ Christopher Walken)

thanks for posting.

robfantasy · 09-25-2004, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Taboo
Very similar to the business Andy Garcia runs in this movie:
Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead (1995)
it was called "Afterlife Advice" and you could leave videotaped "advice clips" to your loved ones after you're gone. it is an interesting and easily-pursuable concept.

by the way, the movie is currently playing on one of the premium cable networks, on demand, if anyone wants to see it. (it's a mafia movie w/ Christopher Walken)

thanks for posting.

cool will have to check it out, i love mafia movies and christopher walken

Basic_man · 09-25-2004, 08:09 AM

Nice concept !

mardigras · 09-25-2004, 08:12 AM

21st century will

09-25-2004, 08:00 AM	#1
robfantasy Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Medellin, Colombia Posts: 6,445	Web site offers after-death e-mail http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/interne....ap/index.html Web site offers after-death e-mail Saturday, September 25, 2004 Posted: 10:37 AM EDT (1437 GMT) MADRID, Spain (AP) -- E-mail from beyond the grave? Not exactly. But a Spanish Internet company is breaking fresh ground on the Web by offering people the chance to write one last e-mail, complete with video clip or photo attachments, and send it to loved ones, friends or even enemies after the person who wrote it is dead. "Most people leave notes behind in drawers or boxes knowing or hoping they will be found after they die. "This is the same, but via Internet," said Alberto Iriarte, 33, director of Global Spectrum, the Pamplona-based company which runs the service. He said that the site, with English, Spanish and Portuguese versions, has been running since January but only really began to take off in July. More than 300 people have signed up so far, the majority of them from Spain, Brazil and the United States, he said. "We're getting some 200 hits a day, of which an average of two become clients," Iriarte told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from the company's office in Brazil. The site offers four plans, which range from a free service that allows users to send just one e-mail, to a lifetime membership that allows for unlimited e-mails and megabytes of storage space, but can cost up to euro200 (US$240). Mid-range packages cost between euro9 and euro18 (US$11-22) a month until users die. In the meantime, they can update and rewrite those final farewells as often as they like. "People find computers more intimate and private than letters and they feel freer to say things this way," said Iriarte, a Pamplona-born computer engineer. "Some people say we're trying to make money out of death, but it's not like that," Iriarte said. "We see it as trying to help people get over the grief." Strict privacy is guaranteed by powerful encryption algorithms and a personal password of 128-bits to which only the client, and not the Web site, has access. Global Spectrum unleashes a client's e-mails once it is notified and confirms that the person is dead. On signing up, clients are given a document to be placed with a trustee who will use it to inform the company of the client's death. "It's not a substitute for a will," said Iriarte. "It's a modern version of that drawer or box where we have always left our letters." Clients, however, have to take Global Spectrum's word that, unlike them, it will still be around to send the e-mails and won't have perished into cyberspace. __________________ Looking to speak w/ high volume nutra CPA affiliates or networks... msg me

09-25-2004, 08:09 AM	#4
Basic_man Programming King Pin Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Montreal Posts: 27,360	Nice concept ! __________________ UUGallery Builder - automated photo/video gallery plugin for Wordpress! Stop looking! Checkout Naked Hosting, online since 1999 !

09-25-2004, 08:12 AM	#5
mardigras Bon temps! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: down yonder Posts: 14,194	21st century will __________________ .

09-25-2004, 08:07 AM	#2
Taboo Confirmed User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: I'd rather be networking than not working. Posts: 3,700	Very similar to the business Andy Garcia runs in this movie: Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead (1995) it was called "Afterlife Advice" and you could leave videotaped "advice clips" to your loved ones after you're gone. it is an interesting and easily-pursuable concept. by the way, the movie is currently playing on one of the premium cable networks, on demand, if anyone wants to see it. (it's a mafia movie w/ Christopher Walken) thanks for posting.