Gmail? What is it?

Gmail is a free email service from Google. Main features are:

• incredible storage capacity - 1000 MB (to keep it simple Google says that's 1 GB)
• username up to 30 characters (minimum 6)
• labels - virtual folders to sort your mails
• conversations - all sent and received messages with the same subject are merged into threads
• spam filter
• search your mails with Google technology
• antivirus measures (Gmail doesn't accept any executable files, even in archives like zip)
• no commercial messages, instead text ads might be displayed on the right side of the screen
  
• 20 filters to manage your messages (by subject, sender, etc.)
• simple address book (new addresses are added automatically)

Do not forget that Gmail is in beta phase. You can't create an account without an invitation send to you by other Gmail user. Google gives invites to Gmail users randomly. You have to be patient. If you are desperated enough you can buy an invite on Ebay. But why should you pay for a free service? Better ask for one here or here.