Since my (and seemingly everybody else’s) NetBook is a bit challenged in the speed department, I have been working to find ways to get the most out of it, whether this means coming up with different ways to get things done (moving to become more linear in how I use the computer, versus uncritically using multi-tasking methods which can actually take more time…) to hacking the OS. One of the changes I’ve made is to simply get rid of the email program I used to use (in my case Thunderbird) and to access my email account through the web (i.e. using only my web browser for this, once again, in my case Firefox).
This change in how I do things has allowed me to keep the established number of programs on this little NetBook to a minimum, and (once I have my browser loaded up…something I always have open when I use the NetBook) it gives me quick access and at least as many worthwhile tools with which to deal with email correspondence.
One of the biggest advantages in using the Google webpage as my email center is that there is far better spam detection, and (virtually) unlimited storage space for email. This means that I never really have to worry about dealing with spam issues and I can save all of my emails forever (which may have some value…forever is a long time…).
There are plenty of simple additions you can make to this site, for instance if you have a Google Voice account or a Gtalk, or a Google Calendar accounts you can integrate all of these into you Gmail account. You can add URL shorteners (e.g. bit.ly), and of most importance, you can deal with email in a more interactive manner than with the static PC programs (which were designed in an earlier age, that of dial up connections…).
The addition I use the most is the Wisestamp plugin, which is an email signature creator. I can include my phone, a photograph, email address, various social networking addresses, even links to the latest post in this blog. The great thing about this plugin is that you can create a number of different signature files for different uses (i.e. one for friends and family, and another for professional correspondence…).
Gmail vs. Thunderbird, Outlook, or Apple Mail: Gmail wins!
http://davemoyer.org/2008/02/gmail-vs-thunderbird-outlook-or-apple-mail-gmail-wins
E-mail Faceoff: Gmail vs. Outlook
http://mashable.com/2009/12/28/gmail-vs-outlook
Gmail vs. Outlook
http://beust.com/weblog2/archives/000321.html
WiseStamp
http://www.wisestamp.com
WiseStamp – Bring life to your Gmail.
http://www.wisestamp.com/gmail-email-signature
WiseStamp Signs Your Emails with Tweets, Stumbles and Plans
http://techcrunch.com/2010/08/31/wisestamp-signs-your-emails-with-tweets-stumbles-and-plans
