Permanently Delete messages in Gmail via Mac Mail?

[milocool]

thanx, i had nooo idea, i saw my mail folder was 30+gig on omnisweeper while i had deleted most of my messages (i thought)

raises another question though, how safe and private is your mail on their servers..

[GDykstra]

I created an account just to say thank you as well---this has been driving me crazy for months!

[blairwillis]

Originally Posted by milocool

raises another question though, how safe and private is your mail on their servers..

I don't want to open up a can of worms regarding how "safe" and "private" your mail is on Google's servers, as it will get the thread wayyyyy off topic and there are probably entire websites devoted to the issue. However, I will offer a thought relative to this thread.

Google doesn't really want you to delete anything, because the more data they have to sift, the better they can understand you, the consumer. They want to show you ads, that create revenue. The more effective their ads are (pertinent to your interests, habits and needs), the more revenue they can generate.

I'm glad to see this thread has helped others. I will say that in the time since I first started it, I've come to rely less and less on my Mac (and OS X Mac Mail) and more on iOS on iPhone and iPad to handle my mail. I dare say I could do without Mail on the Mac entirely. I just happen to like the bigger screen and keyboard. But at some point, I hope I'll just be able to project my iPad/iPhone onto my Cinema Display and the Mac will become less and less necessary. That is where this is going.... right?

[macalec]

Originally Posted by hdugdale

My system won't enable me to select "Trash" when I try to "Use this Mailbox for" with the Trash Mailbox. Is there something else I'm not doing correctly? I've turned the Auto Expunge Off as well.

How is it that something that should be so simple is so complicated?!

Agreed- I am not able to select the use this mailbox for. It is grayed out.

[blairwillis]

Originally Posted by macalec

Agreed- I am not able to select the use this mailbox for. It is grayed out.

Hmmm... OK, so first off, I'm still using OS X 10.7.5, so I can't speak for anything in regards to Mountain Lion. However,

Are you trying to select one of the "Trash" items listed in the sidebar under "Mailboxes" (the ones that look like Trash cans). If so, that won't work. You need to select an actual folder (with a Folder icon) which will be further down the sidebar.

I've checked several folders and always get the "Use this Mailbox for...Trash" option as available, never greyed out.