Google Gmail

Gmail (pronounced Gee-mail) is a free email service developed by Google. Users can access Gmail on the web and using third-party programs that synchronize email content through POP or IMAP protocols.

According to Google co-founder and president Larry Page, the company was inspired to create Gmail because of a user’s letter complaining about problems with existing Web e-mail services, such as the constant need to delete messages to stay within storage limits, and the lack of any searching ability.

Gmail is unique in that it provides several gigabytes of e-mail data storage, which means most users don’t have to worry about not getting e-mail due to exceeding their available storage. Another defining trait of the Gmail service is that it allows users to be inactive for up to nine months.  Finally, Gmail has one of the best, if not the best, spam detection capabilities available, which means almost all spam is filtered into the trash, so you don’t have to read it.