Zen computing: simplify with gmail. part 10 of 20

Tip 10: Check gmail with a dedicated mail client. If you must.

As you've seen in the previous 9 tips, you certainly don't need any sort of email program to take advantage of all gmail has to offer. Tasks, calendar, contacts, flags, 'folder' organization: all once the domain of a dedicated program like Outlook; all now can be done from within the gmail browser interface.

But there are still a few reasons why one would want a dedicated program like Outlook. It's possible, for example, that you will have a work email managed by an Exchange Server, use Outlook anyway, and now want to have just a single application for both work and personal emails

It is also possible that you are just darn comfortable with Outlook, and aren't ready to cut ties just yet.

Whatever the case, it is very easy to use Outlook (or other email clients) in harmony with a gmail account (and thus all the email accounts it can receive email from. How so? Just think of how you use Outlook in relationship with your Internet Service Provider's email right now. It's pretty much the same thing: you'll point Outlook to gmails servers, and away you go.

And there are actually two options: POP access and IMAP access (IMAP stands for Internet Message Access Protocol). IMAP is a newer, more flexible protocol than IMAP. It lets you syncronize email across multiple devices and email clients without having to transfer these messages back and forth between the client computer and the email server. POP (Post Office Protocol) uses a protocol that actually removes the mail from the server.

So while you can use POP I highly recommend using IMAP when configuring a dedicated client. Once you've made that call, it's time to set up an account for gmail. The steps will vary from program to program, so the best place I can send you for step-by-step instrcutions is here:

Configure your program for IMAP access.

Of course, I won't conclude without providing directions to POP setup as well:

Configure your program for POP access.

That should be it. And it's worth pointing out that there's really no need for a dedicated email client, as I mentioned in the first post called, "Outlook 2009 is here. Meet Gmail."

Zen computing: simplify with gmail. part 9 of 20

Tip 9: Check your gmail on the plane.

One of the nice things about a dedicated email client is that you can compose your emails and respond even when you're offline - which is just a jargon-based way to say "not connected to the Internet." (Granted, this inability not to connect is becoming less and less common.) And since gmail is an Internet-based email client, you can't check your email offline.

Until now. Gmail has recently introduced an Offline mode which makes it possible to handle already-downloaded email (and compose new ones) without an Internet connection.

The offline ability utilizes something called Gears, which is an open-source browser extension. Here's how it all shakes out, from google's offline documentation:

"With offline access enabled, youcan read messages, star and label them, and do all of the things you're used to when reading mail online. If you want to write a message, just click Compose Mail and write away. When you click Send, the message will go to your Outbox and will be sent automatically next time you connect."

In other words, it works pretty much like any other dedicated mail client like Outlook or Thunderbird or Apple Mail.

And enabling it couldn't be easier. Just click the 'offline' link from the top of your gmail page, should be right there next to your account name. You'll get a popup dialog that will take you throught the other click or two.

Next up: how to check gmail using a dedicated mail client (if you must). Be sure to subscribe to ensure the latest is delivered fresh to your doorstep.

Make IE7 more Firefox-ish

I’ve gone on in a previous post about the usefulness of Firefox over IE7. If you have a choice, I reiterate my recommendation of Firefox.

That’s not to say IE7 is a terrible browser; far from it. It does what it’s supposed to do and does it well. Further, there are many environments where Firefox won’t be an option. If that’s the case, here’s something I think you’ll like:

It’s called IE7Pro, and it’s a free add-on Internet Explorer 7. IE7Pro adds many features that make IE7 more Firefox-like. It includes advanced tabbed browsing management, a download manager, spell check for web form entries, quick searching, and more.

Here’s where to get it: http://www.ie7pro.com/

The best feature? In my estimation, it’s the ability to restore a browser crash to the tabs you had open at the time of the crash. This feature alone is reason to switch to Firefox, but if you have Ie7Pro, it levels the playing field somewhat.

Also available is the ability to automatically refresh a tab at a specified interval. If you visit a site that you need to refresh frequently, you might try selecting the tab, right-clicking the IE7Pro icon in the status bar, choosing Refresh Current Tab, and then selecting a refresh interval.

And, like with Firefox, IE7Pro includes a tool that allows you to capture an entire web page to a .jpeg, .gif, or.png file.

In short, give IE7Pro a try, If you’re using IE7 as your primary (or only) browser, you’ll be glad you did.

Don't just Gmail - Better Gmail instead.

A new post every week. That's how it works from now on. And an extra bonus with this one: two posts.

The first - passing along a valuable tip/tool for users of Gmail. It's called Better Gmail, and you can get the download from LifeHacker. I've tried it out on both a Mac and PC, and it will work across platforms.

The catch is that you have to be using Firefox, which you probably should be using anyway. Downloads for the Firefox browser are here.

Once Better Gmail is installed, you'll configure it by using Tools | Add-ons, selecting the Better Gmail 2 extension, and then clicking 'Preferences.'

I won't go over each feature; you can read the whole thing at the LifeHacker link I included. The most useful feature is not enabled by default, however: it's the 'Show Agenda' button on the General tab, which will place your Google Calendar agenda right next to your Gmail inbox.














I'll have lots more about gmail v. outlook v. google calendar v. windows live etc. in the weeks that follow. Let me know if there's anything in particular you'd like answered.