How to Use Gmail Labs

Gmail is a great web-based email application because it allows the user to modify their application using the "Gmail Labs" feature. I'll explain how to access this area and use these features.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A Gmail account

1. 

   Log into your Gmail account. Go to http://www.gmail.com

2. 

   Go to the Labs Icon which is located on the top of the page.

3. 

   Gmail Labs looks like the image attached to this step save for the skin/theme I have for my Gmail. Everyone has a different skin/theme so yours might look different.

4. 

   I'll show you some of the more useful additions that exist in Gmail Labs:
   
   1. Offline Gmail: This allows you view your Gmail offline, meaning when your are not connected to the internet. You can write and read emails, but can't send or receive messages. This is useful when an internet connection is not available and you want to view your email.

5. 

   2. Email Addict is probably the most interesting Labs feature in Gmail. It is very useful for people who can't seem to break away from their email. This feature will lock you out of Gmail for 15 minutes and will make you invisible in chat. For those who work at home or live on their computers.

6. 

   3. The Forgotten Attachment Detector prevents you from having to send multiple emails to recipients because you forgot to attach a file to the email. Another lifesaver for those who use Gmail for work and business coorespondence.

7. 

   4. Location in Signature is a neat little add-on that shows your recipient from where you sen the email from. Useful for people who frequently travel or for those with international clientèle.

8. 

   5. Google Calendar and Google Docs gadgets: Useful for people who like having their calendar and online documents in their Gmail.

Tips & Warnings

• Enjoy Gmail. It is a highly flexible platform and it's still in Beta, meaning it has a long way to go.

[momose]

on 5/9/2009 Great gmail tips. Thanks! Gotta love Google. *****