Google Mail/gMail

From ElateWiki

1 Introduction
2 Labels
3 Buzz
4 Chat
5 Integration
6 See Also
7 References

Introduction

Google Mail, or Gmail, is a free webmail system with many megabytes of storage space that enables users to send and receive emails, store contacts, and add other Google tools to coordinate preferences and information with each other. Users can personalize the appearance of their account, organize emails in “labels,” keep up with friends through Buzz, or even chat instantly with contacts. Gmail first became available to the public in 2007.

Labels

Use labels, which are essentially folders, to create separate areas for emails to be stored. Users can create their own labels or use the ones already created by Gmail. Labels are a great way for users to organize their Gmail account. Labels already created by Gmail include: Personal, Receipts, Travel, and Work. Labels can be color coded. This allows the user to easily scan their email for messages from certain source. User can also sort their labels, this feature is much like opening a folder. Only the emails with that label will be shown.

There is also an option to hide labels if the user decides they don’t want a certain one displayed in their personalized Gmail account.

Buzz

Connect with your friends and see what the “buzz” is. Share links and other media, as well as creating statuses similar to those of another web 2.0 technology program, Facebook.

With Buzz you can see posts from people you decide to follow and the first time you post in Buzz you create a profile which includes the list of people you want to follow. Since Buzz is built into Gmail it conveniently tracks the friends you may already have in your contacts, so you can automatically follow what your friends are talking about or what they think is interesting on the web.

Buzz allows you to share all kinds of things publicly with the world or with a small group of friends even through other sites that you may already use like Twitter or Flickr. Buzz will also recommend things to you that are popular among your friends so you don’t miss out, and guess what; it even works on your phone!

Chat

Communicate instantly with your contacts in Gmail through instant chat. Chat using voice or even video. Use the sounds or emotions applications as a fun way to talk to your friends or associates in your contact list.

Chat in Gmail will even save any past text conversations you had so you can easily look up your latest conversations. When you first use chat, gMail will walk you through how to get started with all of the chat applications.

Integration

Google Mail is integrated with many useful tools and applications that are available once you log in to your account. Google Docs is an integrated application that allows you to create, open, and edit word processing, spreadsheet, and other documents for free. Google Reader is another integrated application that allows you to track your favorite websites and RSS feeds similar to an aggregator. All Google Mail accounts include these applications as well as many others. Gmail is available through Gmail Mobile for cell phone users with internet access. Gmail has an advanced spam filtering system. Anytime a Gmail user marks something as spam, the Gmail system will recognize messages that are similar as spam for all other Gmail users.