Putting Gmail into Vacation Mode

Speaking of vacation, Gmail also has a dedicated vacation mode. When you activate vacation mode, anyone who sends you a message automatically gets a response that you're on vacation.

Here's how to activate Gmail's vacation mode:

1.	From the Gmail inbox, click the Settings link at the top of the page.
2.	When the Settings page appears, select the General tab and scroll down to the Vacation section, shown in Figure 21.28. Figure 21.28. Gmail's vacation settings. [View full size image]
3.	Check the Vacation Responder On option.
4.	Enter a subject for the messages you want the responder to automatically send out, something along the lines of "I'm on vacation."
5.	Enter the text of your vacation message.
6.	If you want only your contacts to receive this vacation message, check the Only Send a Response to People in My Contacts option.
7.	Click the Save Changes button.

That's it. With the vacation responder activated, anyone who sends you a message automatically receives your vacation message in reply. When you return from vacation, return to the Settings page and check the Vacation Responder Off option.