'Migrating' current Outlook to Gmail to Utilise IMAP

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StevieT

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#116713 7-May-2013 19:04

Hi there,

If I transferred my current emails - clear.net.nz, and uni.massey.ac.nz ones - into my Gmail account (thus popping clear.net.nz and massey.ac.nz email servers), I set-up on my laptop in Outlook to grab whatever emails Gmail receives.

Because I would like them both synced (inbox, drafts, sent items, all the folders I've created in Outlook) so that if I am away from my computer I can access my emails as if I had Outlook open as it set up now, I would set Outlook to the IMAP Gmail settings as the incoming server. Would it then be possible that if I am at home, in Outlook, have the outgoing server still smtp.clear.net.nz, while being on an IMAP connection with Gmail?

Every time I open Outlook, it will automatically sync the folders with what Gmail contains. Once emails are downloaded once in Outlook, unless they are modified, will I not re-download them again, thereby saving bandwidth (noting ones that contain large attachments, and factoring in when I will be on my pre-paid mobile broadband connection)?
[Would setting up IMAP incoming server, and connecting to my Gmail account, would my current folders + contained emails then be created on Gmail.com?]

Thanks for any help,
Stevie

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#814730 9-May-2013 19:32

What version of Outlook/Office? The older ones have terrible IMAP support.

jarledb

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#814912 9-May-2013 23:05

You should be able to drag and drop your local email over to the mailboxes on Gmail when you have both setup in Outlook.

grant_k

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#814939 10-May-2013 00:39

StevieT: Hi there,
...
Would it then be possible that if I am at home, in Outlook, have the outgoing server still smtp.clear.net.nz, while being on an IMAP connection with Gmail?

You could, but it makes much more sense to send everything via Gmail's SMTP server, as it keeps a copy in "Sent Mail" for you. This saves Outlook needing to do it, which uses more data traffic.

Also, I agree with Ragnor about trying to use Outlook with IMAP servers. For several years I persevered with this before finally dumping Outlook and switching to Thunderbird. I don't know why I waited so long, as it is far, far better. Outlook would frequently have timeout errors and crashes, whereas TB is bullet-proof and plays nicely with Gmail's IMAP servers.

jarledb

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#814943 10-May-2013 02:47

I have to admit, I am not sure why you would use any email program with Gmail. You can set Chrome (probably Firefox too, but not sure) with local storage incase you want access to stuff offline.

Personally I use Mailplane (for OS-X - which is basically a wrapper for Gmail) to be able to switch quickly between various accounts, but what I am using is the web version of Gmail and it works really well.

Virgil

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#814953 10-May-2013 06:59

My main beef with Gmail compared to Outlook is attachment handling support ... I like the way that you can open a recieved attachment by simply clicking it, edit the attachment, save and forward it on without hassle. With Gmail, you need to save, open, edit, save as something else, locate where you just saved it, re-attach to your reply, etc.

Maybe I just got lazy.

sbiddle

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#814955 10-May-2013 07:15

The best option for syncing with gmail is/was Activesync, this is vastly superior to IMAP in every way and gives you access across multiple devices with ActiveSync support. Unfortunately Google are dumping ActiveSync support soon so even if you set it up it'll eventually stop working.

Foiler

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#815007 10-May-2013 09:12

jarledb: I have to admit, I am not sure why you would use any email program with Gmail.

Pity that Google only provides the conversation view of emails ..

jarledb

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#815010 10-May-2013 09:16

Virgil: My main beef with Gmail compared to Outlook is attachment handling support ... I like the way that you can open a recieved attachment by simply clicking it, edit the attachment, save and forward it on without hassle. With Gmail, you need to save, open, edit, save as something else, locate where you just saved it, re-attach to your reply, etc.

Maybe I just got lazy.

Strange. I can forward emails with all their attachments from Gmail and Google Mail (apps for business). Never had a problem with this.

jarledb

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#815011 10-May-2013 09:17

Foiler:
Pity that Google only provides the conversation view of emails ..

I love the conversation view in Gmail, makes it so much easier to follow what I said in previous emails. And search in Gmail makes it more or less redundant to use folders (or rather, labels). I do use labels, but when I am looking for something I always use the incredibly good search functionality in Gmail.

grant_k

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#815181 10-May-2013 12:10

jarledb:
Foiler:
Pity that Google only provides the conversation view of emails ..

I love the conversation view in Gmail, makes it so much easier to follow what I said in previous emails. And search in Gmail makes it more or less redundant to use folders (or rather, labels). I do use labels, but when I am looking for something I always use the incredibly good search functionality in Gmail.

I also find the conversation view in Gmail and Thunderbird nice to use. My newly purchased Nokia Lumia running WP8 has the same approach for Text Messages. It is so handy seeing the whole conversation in one thread.

However, I am of the old school when it comes to archival of email messages. I have about 15 years worth of emails and there's no way I'm going to upload them all to the cloud. I prefer offline storage with many different folders to keep things tidy. The search functionality in Thunderbird is excellent and I can quickly find what I need.

ajobbins

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#815201 10-May-2013 12:27

I've found IMAP is terrible in all versions of Outlook, even 2010/2013. It's very slow and clunky.

I love Outlook, especially at work - but the Gmail web interface is great and I use that for all my personal mail now. Even if they made Gmail work seemlessly with Outlook, I'd probably still just use the Gmail website

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cyril7

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#815248 10-May-2013 13:55

Conversation mode is select able in Gmails web interface, its in Settings > General > about halfway down.

If you insist on using Outlook then Google Sync which is only available on paid google apps accounts is excellent, it also syncs contacts, calendars and notes.

I also agree with others, why still use Outlook, I have moved all applications were possible to cloud based ones and cut myself free from being dependant on any specific hardware, I find Gmails web interface excellent, YMMV.

Cheers
Cyril

Ragnor

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#815567 11-May-2013 01:13

Foiler:
jarledb: I have to admit, I am not sure why you would use any email program with Gmail.

Pity that Google only provides the conversation view of emails ..

Nope, you can disable conversation view in Gmail's setting!

I've setup Google Apps twice for companies with about 10 staff, both times that the older the person, the more likely they want to keep using Outlook with single view, with most people under 35 prefer the web interface/conversation view.

I guess it's the classic the older you are the more stuck in your ways / resistant to change...

When people are forced to give the "newer" way a fair shake they often become "converted" and don't want to go back.

Ragnor

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#815569 11-May-2013 01:22

ajobbins: I've found IMAP is terrible in all versions of Outlook, even 2010/2013. It's very slow and clunky.

In my experience Outlook 2003 and 2010 are definitely bad with IMAP but I was pleasantly surprised by Outlook 2013 seems to be working pretty well. You need to set the "root folder" in the advanced setting of the account/connection so you don't get the extra "[Gmail]" folder level

Ragnor

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#815570 11-May-2013 01:28

sbiddle: The best option for syncing with gmail is/was Activesync, this is vastly superior to IMAP in every way and gives you access across multiple devices with ActiveSync support. Unfortunately Google are dumping ActiveSync support soon so even if you set it up it'll eventually stop working.

Isn't Google only dumping active sync for free accounts not the paid business accounts due to Microsoft licensing costs for it.

IMAP doesn't have push which sux for mobile but on a desktop or laptop most user's don't notice the difference in the connection method.

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