A Simpler Guide to Gmail: An unofficial user guide to setting up and using your free Google email account

This book currently has 2 major deficiencies. First it is extremely incomplete in trying to explain what Gmail is and how to use it. In addition, it is not only difficult for first time email users to understand and to use effectively, it is likewise difficult for those who have used other email systems for the past 10 or more years e.g. Verizon, AOL, Outlook, etc. It is difficult to use even after reading it 3 or 4 times and trying to practice using the examples. For example, the book is very incomplete in trying to use/apply labels i.e. after searching for emails using a filter and attempting to store the emails in that labelled grouping, Gmail appears to put most of the found emails, but not all of them, within the grouping and differentiates their listing, within the label (folder) by shading the entries; but the book provides no explanation of the significance of the shading or procedures for using/modifying them.This book currently has 2 major deficiencies. First it is extremely incomplete in trying to explain what Gmail is and how to use it. In addition, it is not only difficult for first time email users to understand and to use effectively, it is likewise difficult for those who have used other email systems for the past 10 or more years e.g. Verizon, AOL, Outlook, etc. It is difficult to use even after reading it 3 or 4 times and trying to practice using the examples. For example, the book is very incomplete in trying to use/apply labels i.e. after searching for emails using a filter and attempting to store the emails in that labelled grouping, Gmail appears to put most of the found emails, but not all of them, within the grouping and differentiates their listing, within the label (folder) by shading the entries; but the book provides no explanation of the significance of the shading or procedures for using/modifying them.Another example of poorly described Gmail features is the description of the Inbox entries which nowhere specifies the meaning of each column entry and what can be done with each one. There are many, many more such descriptional deficiencies.With respect to the 2nd deficiency, the book was published Feb 1, 2018 and is therefore long overdue for an update. A lot of the information, I estimate perhaps some 30% to 40%, is no longer current or appropriate in mid 2020. The index is terribly deficient; I couldn’t find some of the simplest, but most basic and most important headings to be able to find the procedures within the text e.g. what happens to emails in the inbox that you archive, what does some of the information in the inbox mean, etc. The Gmail Help is of very little help and this book is no help in negotiating your way around the Gmail Help. Many tutorial books have internet sites containing the latest updates to a tutorial book, which is extremely helpful, but this book does not have that convenience.

Better than others tried

Sorry but this isn't helping me with my GMail much. Maybe because I have a MAC? None of the examples are like my email at all. I am giving it 4 stars because it does seem to be written for someone at my level - beginner!! But no where did I see that it wasn't applicable for an Apple product.

This book is fantastic. It was just what I needed. Agter having a university email account for over 12 years the university decided to switch to a google service. That was fine except they also decided that the emeritus staff would not be getting this service and that there would be no training classes. At first all I was able to do was send and receive emails and had no clue how to move what I had accummulated over the years. Because our service was propritary I was not able to import my files. This book saved my sanity. I was able to save everything and learn the ins and out of gmail in a very short time.

While the information is useful, the book is not laid out (graphically) in a professional manner. It appears to be a masters' thesis which has been pasted into a paperback book format. Headings are misplaced on pages, etc. Eventually, though, given enough time, you can gain significant knowledge about how to whip this puppy. Yes, you should buy it.

This was an excellent book. Having been an Outlook user for over a decade, I did not find Gmail as easy to use, because I kept trying to use it like Outlook. Once I understood how Gmail works, I am now much more comfortable with using the free email that came with my phone. I hate to admit that I had to read a book to make it work, but it did work. I will be slowly transitioning many emails and subscriptions over to Gmail and limiting my need for the paid email.

A really simple guide. Bad print quality. Index not good. You will not find a lot of details about gmail. I wanted to know: What is the max. size for attachments? Nothing! I don't recommend this book. You get what you are paying for.

Very useful--I work from home as an indie, and am on a shoe-string budget. I had problems with Windows Live Mail freezing, and not loading, and switched to gmail for my work, This book was a worthwhile investment for me, as I am now getting the best use out of a free email service that I had all along as part of creating a professional page for Google+. All my email for 3 different emaill providers arrives in my box like it should, and I and when a question arises, this book has the answer.

Excellent introductory guide to gmail. Clearly written and nicely balanced between giving much needed detail but with a balanced perspective for the beginner.

Invaluable to me - as I realise I have not used Gmail to it' full potential

Easy to use

This book is very good and I will purchase any further book from ceri clark

Excellent reference book.