Spring Break
Mail Goggles attempt to put an end to drunk messaging via e-mail settings
Jeff Sullivan
Issue date: 10/29/08 Section: News
10/29/08 - Drunk messaging, in all forms, has been a problem for some University of Rhode Island students. They sit at their computers after a hard night of partying and drinking and think, "Hey, I'm going to send my ex a message online, and tell [him or her] what I really think of them."
Almost always this endeavor turns out to be a bad idea. Usually, one just opens up old wounds, and wakes up the next morning wondering why all their ex's friends have left them angry or threatening messages.
But Google is trying to change all that. It's offering a free option called "Mail Goggles," which, like the Breathalyzer in a car's starter, is designed to prevent any regrettable decisions one might make while inebriated.
The system, as explained on Google's site, asks the user to answer five simple math questions, like 64 minus 43 or 13 times 12, in 60 seconds or less. If the user can't answer in that time, the message is not sent and the content is deleted.
By default, the option is only enabled for late night or weekend times, but the user can adjust the settings as he or she sees fit.
"I Facebook messaged my old teacher from high school," URI student Alexa Reyes said. "It was at 2:30 a.m., and he [told me later] 'I think you were a little intoxicated,' and he was correct."
If proven successful, other messaging services, such as Facebook, MySpace and AOL Instant Messenger may use similar technology.
"I think Facebook and phones should definitely have that [option]," URI student Holly Bertram said. "If it's three in the morning and I have to do math problems, there's no way I'm putting in the effort. Besides, it solves the whole next morning situation when you're saying, 'who did I text last night, what did I say, who's mad at me.' "
Ann Varna Garis, director of the psychology department, said this service is only peripheral and does not address a serious issue when it comes to preventing damage caused by excessive drinking.
Almost always this endeavor turns out to be a bad idea. Usually, one just opens up old wounds, and wakes up the next morning wondering why all their ex's friends have left them angry or threatening messages.
But Google is trying to change all that. It's offering a free option called "Mail Goggles," which, like the Breathalyzer in a car's starter, is designed to prevent any regrettable decisions one might make while inebriated.
The system, as explained on Google's site, asks the user to answer five simple math questions, like 64 minus 43 or 13 times 12, in 60 seconds or less. If the user can't answer in that time, the message is not sent and the content is deleted.
By default, the option is only enabled for late night or weekend times, but the user can adjust the settings as he or she sees fit.
"I Facebook messaged my old teacher from high school," URI student Alexa Reyes said. "It was at 2:30 a.m., and he [told me later] 'I think you were a little intoxicated,' and he was correct."
If proven successful, other messaging services, such as Facebook, MySpace and AOL Instant Messenger may use similar technology.
"I think Facebook and phones should definitely have that [option]," URI student Holly Bertram said. "If it's three in the morning and I have to do math problems, there's no way I'm putting in the effort. Besides, it solves the whole next morning situation when you're saying, 'who did I text last night, what did I say, who's mad at me.' "
Ann Varna Garis, director of the psychology department, said this service is only peripheral and does not address a serious issue when it comes to preventing damage caused by excessive drinking.
