Gmail Tips : How to better manage your inbox (Part 2)
In Part 2 of the gmail enhancing tips, I want to introduce you to some other features that make email via gmail a little easier and perhaps more fun. Last week we took a look at two really cool apps : Key Rocket and mxHero. This week I’ll go through some general features, with a greater focus on customisation options.
Themes: Gmail > Settings > Themes
Yes, Gmail has some wonderful themes and some of them change based on the time of day or based on a random cycle. Moreover, users can choose from a virtually limitless amount of images or even perhaps create a customised theme that meets all your requirements. However, keep in mind that if you are going to use themes for your Chrome/Firefox browser and your gmail background, then you’ll need to pay a little attention since most of the gmail themes go well with the default Chrome theme, and clash horribly when mismatched.
Labs : Gmail > Settings > Labs
Labs are those cool features that the design team at Google was never sure would go mainstream. So they allowed users to try them out instead. Some of these labs (inserting pictures for instance) have been integrated into the standard gmail system over the last few updates. Nevertheless, the Labs features a lot of options that are not accessible in the standard gmail system. Some interesting features include the ability to see Google Map previews in an email, right-side chat, canned-responses and the preview pane (allows you to preview your email without opening them, similar to Outlook).
Inbox
What is any email system without inbox options? Gmail’s mail sorting system is quite smart (though it has its occasional glitches). One of the best features of the email system is the “mark as important” feature that allowed users to only focus on emails that were marked important. This allowed you to save the forwards for later and focus on the important stuff first. This system was then superseded by a more complex categorical system that includes the primary inbox, forums, promotions, updates and social. Again, the system isn’t perfect but it does work reasonably well. Unfortunately, the layout in the previous system is completely replaced. To make the best of this system, users need to take on a more proactive role in moving emails so it is registered for future sorting.
Text by Navam Niles
Missed Part 1?
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