Instead of calling their categories "folders", Gmail has labels. Labels work exactly the same as folders with one large difference: Multiple labels can be assigned to the same email. In fact, the Inbox is nothing but a built-in label automatically applied to incoming messages, so a message can be both in the Inbox and have a label.

Like all good email services, Gmail lets you set up filters to automatically apply labels to messages. It even allows you to automatically send certain types of messages directly to the archive, skipping the Inbox. The filter creation screen can be found in Figure C.

FIGURE C

Filters can make labeling messages much easier. Click picture for a larger image.

Conversations
One of the best features of Gmail is the conversation view. Using some type of highly effective software, or perhaps magic, Gmail places all messages you send and receive into conversations, or groupings based on subject. The conversation view shows all emails in a conversation on a single page, allowing you to refer to previous messages in a conversation quickly and easily.

By default, messages in conversations are minimized to just their subject, removing clutter if you don't need them. But a quick click on the subject and they pop up in their full glory. In Figure D, you can see the conversation view.

FIGURE D

The conversation view allows quick reference to previous emails bearing the same subject. Click picture for a larger image.

Spam, spam, and no spam
Spammers will be unhappy to note that Gmail contains great spam protection. The rest of us, however, should be jumping with joy. I get about 50 spam messages a day, and only about one of those go to my Inbox, the rest is caught by Gmail's spam filter, and sent to the Spam section. When Gmail misses a piece of spam, all you have to do is click on the checkbox next to the message and click on the "Report Spam" button, which will move the message to the spam area and alerts Google, allowing them to improve the software.

You could also open the piece of spam and click on the "Report Spam" button from inside the conversation view, but that wouldn't be a very good idea, would it? If Gmail goofs and sends a piece of mail you want to the spam collection, the same process can be followed, only the button used is "not spam." The spam view is shown in Figure E.

FIGURE E

The Spam View is the home of all your spam Click picture for a larger image.

A common trick in spam email is to use graphics to alert the sender/spammer a piece of spam has been opened and that the email address is real, letting them spam you even more. Gmail automatically hides all graphics when you open an email, preventing this. It takes a quick click of the "Show HTML Graphics" button to show them once you're certain the message is safe.

In a rather interesting method of spam control, Gmail does not allow email addresses to be five characters or less. Apparently, names of that length are easily guessed by spammers.

Creepy or not too creepy, that is the question
Some are concerned about the security of emails on Gmail. Apparently any file, including email, that sits on a server for more then 180 days can be publicly released. Due to the "never delete anything" policy that goes with Gmail, some believe that their privacy is being violated. Google clearly states that they won't release anything publically, and its up to you if you believe them. If you want more information, check out Gmail is too Creepy, at http://www.gmail-is-too-creepy.com.