Converting to Gmail without changing your email address

Have you heard all the neat stuff about Google's Gmail? If the only thing holding you back is the fact that you don't want to change your email address - then you are in luck. I have used this trick for over a year now and have helped several family members do the same. Here is what you do.

1. Sign-up

Go to Gmail and sign up for your account.

2. Tell Gmail your old address

This is the magic part. Once you are logged into your new Gmail account, go to the Settings page and click on the Accounts tab. You will see the setting to "Send mail as" option. Add your original email address here. This makes Gmail able to "masquerade" as your old address when you send emails even though it is a different account.

3. Forward your old account to Gmail

This is the only tricky part. You may need to call your current email provider to find out how to do this. Just be sure to forward it "without keeping a copy."

That is it! Now you can enjoy Gmail like the rest of us AND keep you old email address.