Using the Google Labs Feature in Gmail

Gmail is a wonderful thing. When speaking to others about it, there is either a love or hate relationship associated with it. For me, using Gmail gives me the confidence that I am totally mobile. I don’t have to rely on syncing Outlook on my desktop and on my laptop, plus it gives me an extra security of knowing that I can put my hands on an email at any given time, whether home or away.

If you are an Outlook addict, the additional features of Google Labs can help to make your experience with Gmail a little easier. For example:

Tasks – Tasks adds a to-do list to Gmail. After adding the lab, click the Tasks link above the chat box on the left-hand-side of the page. Your task list will appear on the right – click anywhere in the list and start typing to add a task.

Offline – Make Gmail go where the Internet doesn’t. Access your inbox through your browser and use Gmail’s familiar features when you’re offline. To get started, enable this lab and then click on the “Offline” link in the upper-right of your inbox.

Canned Responses – Save and then send your common messages using a button next to the compose form. Also automatically send emails using filters.

NavBar Drag and Drop – Allows you to reorder the items in your navbar using drag and drop. Great for making Gmail look the way you want it to.

Custom Label Colors – Lets you create your own combination of colors for labels. Instead of choosing one of the standard colors from the label dropdown menu, click on Add custom colors. Pick your combination of colors and hit apply.

Google Calendar Widget – Adds a box in the left column which shows your Google Calendar. See upcoming events, locations, and details.

The above is just a small sample of how you can harness the power of Gmail. You can even take Gmail a step further if you are using Firefox and add:

Gmail Backup – If you feel unsecure using Gmail because of a crash, don’t use Gmail Backup to backup your Gmail emails to your hard drive. Now you’ll know you’ll never lose another email.

Blank Canvas Gmail Signatures – If you need more than the one signature that Gmail allows, you can use the Blank Canvas Gmail Signatures add-on for Firefox. This add-on automatically inserts HTML signatures into your Gmail messages based on which address you are sending from. Supports up to four signatures for each address you have set up and works for Compose Message and Reply/Forward.

What is your relationship with Gmail? I would love to know your thoughts.