Gmail, more than your average webmail service
By: Webguys
Posted: February 3, 2010
One thing that comes up over and over again when we’re doing tech support for individuals is what to do with their email account when they switch to a new Internet Service Provider (ISP). Every time you sign up with a different ISP you receive a new email address. Using this email address might seem convenient at first, but it can become a nightmare when you need to change your ISP (one might wish to change their ISP for more reliable service, a faster internet connection, etc…). A surprising number of people are still paying for their old Dial Up service just to retain an email address, out of the belief that they will lose important contacts.
This is why I suggest using a service like Gmail (Google’s free email service), and begin the process of getting rid of your current myname@my.shortlived.isp.com. Gmail is a web-based email service that works completely independently of your ISP.
Google has gone far beyond just being a great search engine and created a large set of useful online tools. Gmail is one of the most robust web-based email solutions out there. Nearly unlimited storage, speedy access from anywhere in the world, and a very easy-to-use interface make it hard to beat. Google is an enormous company that may well out-live all of us, so you may never have to change email addresses again.
Signing up for a Gmail account is easy. Just go to www.gmail.com, click “Sign up for Gmail” and fill out the simple application form.
After you have signed up for Gmail, you can always login to your account by revisiting gmail.com, and inputting your username and password. Upon logging in you will be taken to your Inbox and may begin viewing your mail. The common actions are immediately accessible, so you can Reply to a message, Forward it, Delete it, or Report it as Spam, with just a couple clicks.
Some of Gmail’s useful features:
• Automatic Address Filling – Saves you time by instantly displaying a list of possible matches as you begin typing an email address.
• Amazing Spam Filter - Spam rarely makes it through to your Inbox. If you do find spam, just click ‘Report Spam’ and it will be moved into your Spam folder. All messages marked as Spam are retrievable from the Spam folder.
• Conversation View – Messages are automatically grouped for viewing based on replies to an email. The original message is displayed at the top, while future replies will be listed below. This makes it easy to keep track of a long email exchange in one list.
• Search - Type in a name or words from an email in the ‘Search Mail’ bar and you will get a virtually instantaneous list of those emails.
• Automatic Draft Saving - As you type a message, your progress is saved to the ‘Drafts’ folder so you can work on an email without the fear of losing it.
• Chat - If you have friends on Gmail you can chat with them, in real time, by clicking on their name in the ‘Chat’ box.
• Manage multiple email accounts – Should you have other email addresses for work or personal use, Gmail can be setup to act as a portal to access these accounts.
John Sebastian Says:
March 5, 2010 at 3:44 pm
Great advice. Up until recently i was still paying about $15 a month for dial-up just to keep my email. Gmail has worked great for me. Thanks!
Susan Martinez Says:
March 5, 2010 at 3:48 pm
I was in the same boat! My niece made me read this article and i finally canceled my old internet provider. Thank you!