Backing up Gmail for archiving, emergency or reduce space

4 ways and I’m ’em doing all:

1. Mozilla Thunderbird for Offline Use (syncs your main gmail account)
2. Gmail Backup
3. Trueswitch/hotmail – you need to create a live.com or hotmail.com email account first
4. Create a separate backup Gmail account (enable POP and get email from the main account)

After everything, I will delete a custom tag/folder Archive from my main gmail account.

Useful links for detailed instructions and other options but I will stick with the above for simplicity’s sake:

• http://www.labnol.org/internet/backup-gmail-emails-online/13477/
• http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/28/how-to-back-up-gmail-to-hotmail-or-a-desktop-email-program/
• http://www.ghacks.net/2011/03/02/use-mailstore-to-backup-gmail-hotmail-yahoo-emails/