Have you tried Gmail?

My favorite email software has been Thunderbird with all of its bells and whistles. It has the ability to create folders and filters directly into the folders as well as integrate with a Calendar and a Tasks Calendar.

However, I like saving my important emails and always worry about their loss should my computer crash before they are all backed up. It's happened before!

So, I've been exploring Gmail lately. I've set it up to receive all of my email addresses and filter my emails just like I've been doing with Thunderbird. I've also color coded my folders so I can instantly spot my favorite client's email. So far so great!

How have I done it?

After I open my gmail account, I click on the settings tab up on the far right corner by my email address. This is where you can customize how you want your inbox to behave.

To add your email addresses into gmail, click on the Accounts and Import tab. If you wish, you can import all of your existing emails and contacts into gmail.

I've set my gmail account up to allow me to send email from any one of my email addresses. That way, no one notices that I am using my gmail account. It looks as though the emails come directly from my computer's email system.

Gmail mail checks my POP3 email accounts. It was very easy to set up. I've created folders for each of my clients and have set the filters up so the emails received go automatically into those folders. What lands in my inbox are only those emails that I specifically haven't set filters for.  It is a real time saver. I can instantly see which clients have sent me emails and set the emails up as tasks, as required.

What I like about this is that I don't have to use my webmail application or log in remotely to my computer when I am away from home. I am able to use all of my email addresses to send from and read my email directly from one website.

Do you need your gmail account set up and customized for you? Feel free to contact me and we can discuss how I can help make your inbox function better!

 © 2009 You may reprint this article as long as you include my information below and a working link back to my websites.

Virginia Lee is the founder and owner of Leenterprises (http://www.leenterprises.com) and Resources for Virtual Assistants (http://www.resourcesforvirtualassistants.com). Virginia is passionate about learning new skills and staying on top of the latest technology while helping people achieve their goals is a real passion. Can Virginia help you with your online success?

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