Gmail was one of the few things that allowed quick chat with my friends.  I was unable to install aim onto my computer, but gmail provided a secondary use of chatting that didn't require installations.  It keeps up with the updates and is very much user friendly.  The only problem I face is the horrible uploading speed and sending attachments the mailing system has.  Compared to yahoo, gmail is like a slow turtle.  Yahoo is the perfect mailing site because it allows you to mail attachments quick and fast.  Hotmail is not so much loved because it has so many problems.  The new beta thing is really bothersome sometimes because when I click trying to check a box, i sometimes miss and have to go to the mail I already read.  Not only that, but it blocks a number of mail and has restrictions for attachments.  Plus it has you type in your whole email just to log in...

I say gmail is good in interface and chatting.  Yahoo is perfect for sending email with attachments.  Hotmail is a waste of time....