Check Y! mail classic for that matter, the reason both Gmail & Y! mail have a lighter(non-ajaxy) version is, to give the users with slow internet connection the same features and experience(not in every sense) like the other users who are on a high speed connection.

and why would someone deliberately switch the so called ‘safe mode’ ON?
The only reason I can think of is slow connection, so the question is, why make the basic features inaccessible to the people using slow speed internet?

* Spell checker
* Keyboard shortcuts
* Creating filters
* Adding, editing, importing, or deleting contacts
* Custom ‘From:’ addresses
* Rich formatting
source: The basic HTML view is a little different from what you’re used to because the following features aren’t available:

* Spell checker
* Keyboard shortcuts
* Creating filters
* Adding, editing, importing, or deleting contacts
* Custom ‘From:’ addresses
* Rich formatting
source: http://tr.im/1c7p (gmail faq)

they really want you to treat it like safe mode and assume that all safe mode products are basically crippled.

i don’t think ppl take the beta sticker that much literally as far as google is concerned.

what do you mean, you can’t differentiate between unread n read mails? i haven’t used all the funky blurry themes, but so far..even in terminal, there are font color n weight differentiation.

and lastly, gmail themes vs stylish scripts. what looks and performs better? i think stylish loads faster. might not be location/time based. but then not cross-browser.