Filed under: Utilities, Windows, E-mail
Gmail Notifier: you know Google already does this, right?
by Jay Hathaway Sep 30th 2009 at 6:00PM
Gmail Notifier makes sense. Using webmail has its advantages, but it also means either keeping a webpage open or checking back periodically to see if you have new mail. So, it's good to have an app that's lighter than a full email client, but lets you know when you have unread messages. The problem is that Google already makes a Gmail Notifier, and it's better.Google's version of Notifier is not only better-looking than the gmailnotifier.com version, it's also available for both Windows and Mac, and supports Google Calendar alerts. Why would you want to use the off-brand version of Notifier? The only reason I could find is that it supports multiple Gmail accounts, and lets you delete messages without going to your inbox. I'll still take Google's version, thank you very much.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
RogueJedi86 said 6:43PM on 9-30-2009
I've always used Google Talk as my GMail notifier, but that's just me. It's lightweight too, plus lets you message with people.
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Marshall Williams said 6:58PM on 9-30-2009
Looks like a kid learned how to use Visual Basic. Google's version wins.
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opus61856 said 9:36AM on 10-19-2009
But does Google's notifier still screw up the toolbar?
It most definitely did - in fact Google still discourages download of their own Notifier.
thinsays said 7:12PM on 9-30-2009
Or... get Notify for Mac... supports multiple accounts, really slick UI and it doesn't suck like Gmail Notifier. Oh and it's free and supported and frequently updated unlike Gmail Notifier. http://j.mp/bMD6N
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alstki said 7:18PM on 9-30-2009
This is sort of confusing the way you've written it. I've always used Google's Gmail notifier, and in fact was never aware of the existence of the other Gmail notifier program you mention. Strange, the way you've written this presumes people all use the gmailnotifier.com thing and not the Google app, not sure why that is. It took me a minute to figure out which one you were talking about - I thought you were suggesting that Google had a new and better notifier than the one I'm using.
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Kenn.keeper said 8:36PM on 9-30-2009
The problem is that Google already makes a Gmail Notifier and it's better but it's not for Vista x64 according to Google website for it.
Free is Good
Kenn
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lilo said 8:08PM on 9-30-2009
Wrong. Google is no longer 'making' a Gmail Notifier. Last release was in March 21, 2006. Not just that it's old, it's also empty of features.
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alexsupra said 9:40PM on 9-30-2009
gmail notifier by google can be useful as new incoming mail notifier and system global mailto links handler (with option to choose one of web browsers installed). it is tiny and small (the single exe is needed, ~500kb size), but it has two basic disadvantages:
1. it doesnt support google apps accounts (google apps for your domain, corporate gmail);
2. it has some problems when working simultaneously with google toolbar.
but google talk can be used instead!
it has various notification functions, mailto links handler option, has text messenging and voice support, file transfering features and supports both personal and corporate gmail versions.
for miltiple accounts support run google talk multiple times with the following command line: googletalk.exe /nomutex
gmail notifier made by gmailnotifier.com is slow, ugly and bloated.
i think it is something like gmailnotifier.net but for free.
p.s. mozilla firefox with prism or google chrome can provide full-featured desktop implementation of web application.
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Jay Hathaway said 10:43PM on 9-30-2009
FYI: The Mac version of Google's app (called Google Notifier) supports Google Apps accounts.
Richard said 6:26AM on 10-01-2009
I'm sorry but using Google Talk just so you can have email alerts is massive overkill - especially when, here in the UK, the main IM network is Windows Live Messenger.
Andy B said 7:25PM on 10-01-2009
@Richard -
"here in the UK, the main IM network is Windows Live Messenger"
I'm not saying you're wrong and I have no use for IM at all, but I'm idly curious where you're getting that statistic from and how popular the other options are?
bruno said 9:44PM on 9-30-2009
3 words: Mark as Read
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RTMS said 12:26AM on 10-01-2009
I use neither, instead I find Gmail Manager just as good and always updated. Granted I can't just delete without going to my inbox but otherwise it's perfect. It allows multiple accounts and more customization.
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Taomyn said 2:16AM on 10-01-2009
Personally I think this https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/173 is better than both
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m said 4:38AM on 10-01-2009
best solution yet is gtray ( http://torrez.us/archives/2004/05/23/272/ ). old and abandoned though. don't know if this is a totally different program ( http://code.google.com/p/gtray/ ) or if it builds on the earlier.
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Richard said 6:18AM on 10-01-2009
Google's own notifier does not work with hosted email (Google Apps).
(If Gmail Notifier does, then it's got a reason to exist)
It is for this very reason that I use the Firefox addon, annoying because I have to have the browser open all the time - but at least it works!
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xxdesmusxx said 11:05AM on 10-01-2009
Also, Google's official app doesn't work on Windows 7.
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sinistas said 11:22AM on 10-01-2009
I just use Digsby. Easy enough.
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Matt S. said 1:40PM on 10-01-2009
I was just about to suggest Digsby.. Its gmail support blows google's notifier out of the water.. Since its built into my messenger, im going to have it turned on anyway so its not bloated.. It also lets you delete,mark read, reply, mark spam, send email to anyone on your buddy list from within their im window. It also supports Hotmail, Yahoo, AOL/Aim, POP and IMAP mail as well.
The only feature I wouldn't mind them implementing is monitoring labels for new messages.
peter said 10:18AM on 10-03-2009
simply use http://gmailnotifier.net/ for Gmail and Google apps, i think it's the best.
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