There are many different topics that could be discussed on survival issues. One issue that thousands of people experience every day are various computer problems… often the ‘death’ of their harddrive, a virus infection, and other issues.

Today we will look briefly at email.  Most of you have probably heard of "Gmail": Googles free email service. 

I design and develop websites for my customers. There are a variety of options available for setting up business or company email service.

For several years now we have helped our customers to set up free "Google Apps" accounts with Google. There are many benefits to a Google Apps acount (similar to a Gmail account except you are able to use your own domain name: matthew@mydomain.com instead of matthew@gmail.com).

• You can save permanent copies of your emails on the server (if you delete an email by accident from your the email program on your computer, you can retrieve a copy from the Google Apps Server).
• You can use your normal email program with Google Apps or Gmail (such as Outlook, Thunderbird, Outlook Express, etc.)
• Very Stable: Google has several email servers available, so if one has a ‘problem’ you can still receive your email.
• Excellent spam filter.
• Free!

Because I know your email’s are vital to the success of your business (or personal email), I also highly recommend that you frequently backup your Google Apps (or Gmail) account.  To backup all of your accounts I recommend a product called "Gmail Keeper." Gmail Keeper allows you to schedule automatic backups of your Gmail or Google Apps account. While backing up your account(s) can be done manually, it is easy to forget to make backups. Gmail Keeper will help to ensure that you are always able to save and retrieve your emails regardless of any issues that might occur on Googles servers.

Gmail Keeper will also allow you to consolidate your Gmail and Google Apps and Gmail accounts (as well as other features). The software is excellent and so is the price… and comfort it provides!

Between using Google Apps (if you have your own domain name) or Gmail if you do not, you emails will be save and secure.