Since its former beginnings which go out all the way back to 2004 , Gmail has offer users innovative features such as a gigabyte of free repositing , build - in hunting function and content pigeonholing .
These features have ensured Gmail ’s billet as a top - rated e - mail provider . In October 2007 , Gmail was estimated to be the third orotund free east - mail service service with 87 million users worldwide , ground on data from comScore Media Metrix . Yahoo Mail conduct the agency with close to 262 million user followed by about 256 million users for second - stead MSN Hotmail ( now Windows Live Es - ring armour ) [ source : TechNewsWorld ] .
While AOL and Yahoo have offered Web - base mail since the 1990s , Gmail started as an internal tocopherol - mail service at Google Inc. in the beginning the service was offered by invitation to Google member in April 2004 . In February 2007 , Google offered Gmail to everyone [ source : Google story ] .
Since then , Google has expand the eastward - mail service ’s features to include group confab with AIM ( AOL Instant Messenger ) user , Gmail for peregrine twist , access to e - mail from other overhaul like AOL or Yahoo Mail , virus scanning , spam control condition , shortcuts and more . Gmail also provides messaging in 40 languages and allows fond regard up to 20 MB in size [ source : Google chronicle ] .
In this HowStuffWorks clause , we ’ll take a close looking at at these and other Gmail feature article . First , allow ’s see how easy it is to set up an account and go through Gmail augury in .
Getting Started with Gmail
Getting started with Gmail is simple , start out with signing up for a Google story . Once you have that , you may discharge the Gmail login and broadcast your first e - mail . Here are some steps to take you to Gmail augury in .
By going to " preferences " at the upper rightfulness , you could make personalised change for Gmail . For instance , fall into place " configurations " and then " General . " On this CRT screen , you’re able to select the words you want to utilise , personalize einsteinium - mail with your word picture and supply a signature – such as your name , address and earpiece number – that ’ll appear on every e - mail you send . You also can set up a vacation answerer , a reply that ’ll be sent mechanically to anyone who e - ring armour while you ’re gone . Be trusted to get through " Save Changes " after you make any change to setting .
Now that you ’re ready to use Gmail , go to the next page to learn the basics of transmit and receive e - mails .
Gmail Basics
Gmail staple part with learning to use e - post – in other Word , sending a message or receiving a subject matter . After that , you ’ll need to place einsteinium - mail attachments , archive messages and use Google search to find data in tocopherol - ring armor .
Sending a Message
To send a message , get through " Compose Mail " at the top left . Then typecast the recipient ’s reference after " To . " If you ’ve add addresses to your contact list , you could type the first varsity letter or two of the name for auto - complete , which let you pick the name you want .
tap " AddCc " to bestow addresses for people whose responses are welcome but not required . tap " Bcc " to add recipient whose names and addresses will be hidden .
Next , enter your topic after " Subject , " and typecast your subject matter in the with child box seat . Using the symbolisation above the box , you’re able to change the format , baptistry and color of the schoolbook . you could also check spelling , add links and impound files . ( You ’ll learn more about attachments later on on this Thomas Nelson Page . )
Gmail automatically lay aside your message in draft every few moment while you ’re writing . When your content is unadulterated , snap " post . " A confirmation above the window will show your substance was sent . If you do n’t want to save the draft substance , delete it from the Draft pamphlet .
Receiving a Message and Responding
curb the tally number next to your Inbox to see if you have new messages . Gmail stop for new messages every two minutes and update the numeration .
Gmail saves a " conversation " of each original message and all replies . When you open a message , the new in the conversation is on top with the residue pile below . To read all the messages in the conversation , click " flesh out All . "
To print a message , click the down pointer next to " respond " and take " Print . " To print the whole conversation , click " Print all . "
To forward an single message , open it and click " Forward " from below the message arena . Enter recipient ' addresses and tote up any notes to the substance . penetrate " Send . "
Using Attachments
With Gmail , attachment like documents , photograph or telecasting are easy to add and read . To bond a filing cabinet to a message , dawn " Attach a single file " under the dependent field . receive the file you desire to attach , and click " open up . " " Attach another file " lets you repeat the summons . To remove an attached Indian file , click " Remove . "
To see an adhesion , launch the subject matter , dawn " Download " at the message ’s bottom and then " Open " or " Save . " To see an attachment without downloading , click " View as HTML " after you get to the content . You also can open Microsoft Excel files as Google spreadsheets and Microsoft Word files as Google Department of Commerce .
Message Archives
file away lets you move content from the inbox to All Mail for computer memory . you could find information in these atomic number 99 - mails later by using the search tool . To file away a content , check the boxful next to the sender ’s name and snap " Archive . " If someone responds to a message you ’ve archived , the whole conversation reappears in your inbox .
Gmail has plenty of features beyond the basics . Next , let ’s look at some of them , such as protection filter , Gmail Notifier to herald new ring armor , and " retrieve and reply " to get at substance from other e - mail services .
Gmail Features
Gmail features make e - post gentle and more convenient . permit ’s take a closer look at some like Gmail Notifier , which can alarm you when you have a unexampled subject matter , and Mail Fetcher , which set aside you to retrieve tocopherol - mail service from other service , like Yahoo Mail or AOL .
Gmail Notifier
This downloadable software let you know when you have young Gmail messages – without opening your web browser . The Notifier automatically checks for new substance every two bit . With it , you may see a abbreviated division of schoolbook from up to 30 content and choose a sound to indicate you have new mail .
Running Gmail Notifier ask Windows 2000 , Windows XP or a newer interpretation of Windows . Mac users require OS ecstasy 10.3.8 or later to execute the Notifier , which can also alert them of upcoming event show on Google Calendar .
Mail Fetcher
This feature lets you bring in and download message from up to five other e - mail account . Mail Fetcher will contain all of the account regularly so that postal service from them appears automatically in Gmail . Accounts that you want to access must be POP ( Post Office Protocol ) access enabled . POP allow exploiter to download messages from Gmail ’s server so vitamin E - chain mail can be accessed without an Internet connector .
Contact Groups
By create a contact lens group , you could quickly send e - mails to everyone in the group . To create a group , click " Contacts " at the left and then " New Group " in the top left recession . Enter the name of the group and come home " OK . "
To take the group with contacts , take the contacts you need in the Contacts lean . Then spread the Groups menu , and under " impart to . . . , " select the group you want .
For later accession , record the striking ’s name or e - mail address in the " Add this to group " box below the contact list .
To send a message to the mathematical group , go to the Compose windowpane . After " To : " enter the first few letters of the contact group ’s name . Choose from the tilt that car - complete suggests and publish and beam your message .
Security and Spam
Gmail is security conscious , starting with computer virus scans of every affixation you send . Every attachment you experience is scanned double , when it ’s delivered and when you reach the substance . Questionable e - mails go like a shot into the junk e-mail pamphlet . To take out junk e-mail from your inbox , select the undesirable substance and clack " Report Spam . "
You also can commit unwanted mail from specific addresses or domains right away to the trash by define up a filter . Click " produce a filter " under the search corner . Fill in field with your criteria for the filter , and click " Next footfall . " Choose how you need the e - mails cover by checking a loge such as " Delete it . " Then get through " Create Filter . "
Parental Controls
baby under old age 13 want parental permission to create a Gmail account statement . Parents also can utilise mail filter to forget unwanted postal service from turn over their children .
Gmail also recommend that parents :
Gmail continue to face at new ways to send and receive e - mail . Keep reading to see how you’re able to use Gmail for chat , instant messaging with AIM drug user , tocopherol - mail from mobile devices and mail with part .
Gmail Innovations
Gmail invention go beyond just handling e - post on your personal computer . With Gmail from Google , you’re able to chaffer with a ally or in chemical group , crying subject matter ( IM ) with other AIM users , take reward of mail with voice and apply Gmail for Mobile from your BlackBerry , iPhone or other nomadic gadget .
Mail with Voice
If you ’re also signed into downloadable Google Talk while using Gmail ’s New World chat features , you’re able to make and invite voice calls . A " Call " button will look next to your contacts ' profile . Unless that clitoris appears gray-headed , the individual is usable to utter .
Your contacts also can leave you voice messages using Google Talk ’s voice mail . These will appear as special messages in your inbox . They have the field " Voicemail from ContactName ( x seconds ) " and come along with a phone image . To see voicemail , click " toy " in the conversation view .
Gmail Chat
Like Google Talk , Gmail allows you to visit with just one person or with a group . you’re able to chat with anyone on your confabulation list who has a colored ball next to his or her name . Go to " chatter " and ascertain and select the name of the person you want . That will open a chat window , so enter your subject matter and press " Enter . "
You also can search for a tangency by go in the name you want in the box at the top of Chat . Or you could search for the person you require from your touch listing and then click the Chat link . When you ’re finished gossip , click the x in the top good recess of the Old World chat windowpane . Chat works with cyberspace Explorer 6.0 + or Firefox 1.0 + but not with Safari or other browsers . chat are saved and can be research .
Group chaffer lets you let the cat out of the bag with an unlimited number of contacts at once . Here ’s how to set it up :
Chat/IM with AIM Users
With Gmail chat , you could sign into your AIM account from Gmail to chat with AIM chum . They ’re number among your contacts , and you could seek for them . To chatter , you just tap a name on your chat list and type a substance .
Gmail for Mobile
Gmail for mobile can be accessed through a smartphone ’s vane web internet browser or from an software downloaded to the phone . To entree by browser app , point your phone ’s browser app toGmail . The interface makes it look as if you ’re using Gmail on your data processor .
Downloadable Gmail for mobile also keeps your action in sync with your Gmail score , but it ’s faster and practice less data than the web internet browser adaptation . To try downloadable Gmail for Mobile River , indicate the telephone ’s web browser toGmail applications .
Either version provides Gmail functions like hunting and conversation view . And both have automatic synching so anything you do in Gmail from your phone is also usher in your unconstipated Gmail history .
This article gives an overiew of Gmail services , but Google keeps upgrading and summate to its oblation . For lots more entropy about Gmail and colligate issue , follow the links on the next varlet .
