Gmail labels, the next generation

This morning I noticed that my labels in Gmail had a slightly off-color background. Checking the Gmail blog, I found this rather nice little bit of goodness on the next evolution of labels:

Today, we’re happy to announce the next evolution of labels: the colored label. Until now the label has been a little inconspicuous creature, subtly suggesting categorical associations in its simple green coat. Oh, we’ve seen the colored label here and there, its precursors surfacing in various experiments and Greasemonkey scripts; but the label has never before been so brazen, so bold. How will it use its new colors? Will it disguise itself with the chameleon’s camouflage or clamor for attention with the monarch butterfly’s vivid contrast?

These are so much more helpful in telling at a glance what’s in your inbox — instead of having to actually read the labels, the colors alone can tell you what you’ve got. I’ve set up a few incoming filters (Facebook, Flickr, comments on my blog) so I can tell what’s sent directly to me and what’s automatically generated, but I’m still not using labels to their full capacity. (I’m excited about the upcoming “folder-y-ish functionality” they mention on the blog post, though…)

I’m still working on getting down to Inbox Zero and making it my default level, but right now I’ve got 125 e-mails in my inbox. Sorry if any of you are one of those waiting for a reply — up until now, I’ve been replying to e-mails, blog comments, and Facebook wall posts and messages every couple of weeks, letting things pile up until they reach critical mass and then sweeping through them in one fell blow, but I’m thinking it’s better to just take ‘em as they come. (Besides, I love corresponding with people, so it makes far more sense (oh wait, some things aren’t supposed to make sense ;)) to give myself that pleasure every day, not just every few weeks.) Eventually I want to try again with GTD (Getting Things Done) — I never got very far, but it feels like it’d work really well for me. Right now, though, I’ve got to deal with an impending final due Monday. ~sigh~

Ben,

If you have firefox you can install a plugin called better gmail 2 (if you are using the new version of gmail). It has lots of cool greasemonkey scripts that enhance gmail. http://lifehacker.com/software/exclusive-lifehacker-download/better-gmail-2-firefox-extension-for-new-gmail-320618.php

If you dont have firefox but can install greasemonkey on your browser you can get folder-ish labels with this script: http://www.arend-von-reinersdorff.com/folders4gmail/

I ADORE Gmail.

And I love having my inbox clean - I try and keep it empty at all times.

Oh, Inbox Zero. How you taunt those so far away from your blessed and happy state.

This is a pretty great idea, I must admit.

Thomas: Cool — thanks for the heads up!

Janssen: Gmail pretty much takes the cake, I agree. In theory I try to keep my inbox empty, but it only worked for about three days. But I’m going to get there again, so help me!

M: Amen. I am weeping.

rikker: Yes. :)