Gmail is spreading like wildfire. It's a great email solution for anyone. It has many features that current big names do not. Let's look at a few key features that put it ahead of the rest.

Forwarding: Gmail allows you to forwarding your mail to another address. This allows for easy consolidation if you use multiple addresses.

Searching: Ability to search messages. Can't remember if someone sent you a message? Search for it. The power of google search in your inbox. What could be better. Never lose a message again.

Spam blocking: Not sure how they do it but I have yet to get a spam message in my inbox. Gmail has a special folder where spam is dumped. Unlike junk folders on sites like yahoo and hotmail I have not had a message from someone I know get placed there by accident. Even if that did happen there is a quick, easy to locate button that will mark the sender as not spam.

Alias: You can setup any of your other email accounts to sent from. For example because I do not like the webmail interface of my host, I forward my mail to Gmail, then change gmail to send from my domain mattchristensen.net. That way I use my gmail account but to everyone else its matt@mattchristensen.net.

Filtering: Easily filter where incoming messages go. Check on who its to, who its from, the subject, words in the message, and the attachment. After checking the message you can auto archive, label, trash it, or the coolest yet forward it somewhere else.

Pop3: Gmail unlike its competiors allows for pop3 access. Don't like the gmail interface? Then use outlook or Thunderbird. I personally like the gmail interface, but its nice to know I have the pop3 access.

These are only a few of the great, cool features gmail has to offer. Give it a try. Contact me if you need an invite to join.

Matt Christensen
http://www.mattchristensen.net