Gmail Offline App and Chrome Running in the Background

[DEP/Dodo]

Hello, Group:

Do I want Google Chrome running in the background?  If so, why?  Specifically, is it vital for the Gmail offline app?  I inadvertently turned it off a few days and then back on.  On one computer, it placed another Chrome icon on the far right of the Taskbar (near the date and time, etc.) where it hadn't previously been.  Perhaps I never had Chrome always running in the background?.  I already had one Chrome icon on the left of the Taskbar (along with other icons for one-click access).  Also, if I'm in online Gmail via Chrome, will offline automatically synchronize even if it's not open at the time?  Or can I only synchronize when that is open?  I hope these aren't inane questions.  As always, I thank you.  ~Dodo

[Sarah]

The new offline gmail Web app is reliant on chrome, & you do need to allow chrome to run in the background for offline gmail to function.
As for your other questions, I'll leave those to someone with more knowledge of the new gmail offline Web app.

> these aren't inane questions. As always, I thank you. *~Dodo*
>
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[DEP/Dodo]

Now I'm more confused.  I just saw that what I have checked off in Chrome's "Under the Hood" is per the screen shot.  In short, do I want this on and/or Chrome's running in the background?  Also, I still want to know about the synchronization questions I asked earlier.  Thank you!  ~Dodo

[Jeff Grossman]

Having Chrome run in the background allows offline Gmail to synchronize its database with the server when you are connected, but do not have offline Gmail open in the browser.� That way when you do disconnect and go into offline Gmail, it is up to date.� If you do not leave Chrome running, the database will only synchronize when you open offline Gmail.� When you open it up, you will have to wait for it to synchronize (which probably could take a little bit of time).� Also, it you did work while offline, you would need to remember to open offline Gmail and let it synchronize once you did get back online.� If Chrome is running in the background, you don't need to remember to go into offline Gmail to synchronize, it will do it automatically.

Jeff

On 9/24/2011 9:48 AM, DEP/Dodo wrote:

Hello, Group:

Do I want Google Chrome running in the background? �If so, why? �Specifically, is it vital for the Gmail offline app? �I inadvertently turned it off a few days and then back on. �On one computer, it placed another Chrome icon on the far right of the Taskbar (near the date and time, etc.) where it hadn't previously been. �Perhaps I never had Chrome always running in the background?. �I already had one Chrome icon on the left of the Taskbar (along with other icons for one-click access). �Also, if I'm in online Gmail via Chrome, will offline automatically synchronize even if it's not open at the time? �Or can I only synchronize when that is open? �I hope these aren't inane questions. �As always, I thank you. �~Dodo

[DEP/Dodo]

Thank you, Jeff.  I have looked but can't find where to confirm that I have Chrome running in the background.  As I mentioned in my original post, I got that confused with the setting I have enabled about running background apps when Chrome is closed.  I assume I want that, too.(?)  ~Dodo

[Marko Vukovic]

Hi D

You can confirm this by a) Chrome Options->Under the Bonnet->Continue running background apps when Google Chrome is closed (bottom of the page) is checked, b) the Chrome icon is present in the System Tray (icons near date/time) and c) seeing the Chrome process in Task Manager (Ctrl-Alt-Del->Start Task Manager or right-click Taskbar->Start Task Manager).

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[Jeff Grossman]

I don't run offline gmail, but I think the setting you showed in a different e-mail is the one you want.  Once that is checked, the offline gmail extension will be allowed to run in the background even when Chrome is closed.  When you see the little Chrome icon next to the clock make sure you do not remove that (or select exit from the menu).  That means Chrome is running in the background.

Jeff

--

[DEP/Dodo]

Marko, this was clear, understandable, and wonderfully helpful.  Regarding (a), I already discovered this on my own (even used the Snipping Tool(!) to make a screen shot of it for one of my posts--Jeff referenced it in his reply); however, I wasn't sure since (a) refers to Chrome's being closed, not running in the background.  All three computers I use at home had (a) and (c).  One computer's (c) notification disappears but returns when I do (a).  And only one computer had (b), which both you and Jeff mentioned.??  Despite those idiosyncrasies, I'm confident now that I have the right setting.  Thank you, Marko and Jeff.  

~Dodo

[DEP/Dodo]

I still want to know about synchronization in offline Gmail (asked in my opening post).  I thInk I can now better phrase my question:  Under what conditions does offline Gmail synchronize?  ~Dodo

[DEP/Dodo]

Jeff, you actually have answered my question about synchronization of offline Gmail.  I'm not sure mine actually behaves that way.  However, I keep getting tripped up on the concepts of Chrome's running in the background vs. the Under the Hood option for running background apps (like offline Gmail) when Chrome is closed.  Chrome is running when it's closed?  ~Dodo

On Sat, Sep 24, 2011 at 9:53 AM, Jeff Grossman <je...@stikman.com> wrote:

[Marko Vukovic]

D, The Under the Hood option and the 'Let Google Chrome run in the background' setting are exactly the same thing. If you close Offline Gmail, Chrome still runs the app in the background, synchronizing your email while you have an active Internet connection. This is so that when you go offline, you have an up-to-date local store without first having to open Offline Gmail and wait for it to sync. You should therefore also be able to compose messages whilst offline, click send (thereby placing them in Outbox locally) and close Offline Gmail. 

Chrome.exe is still running in the background (confirm by opening Task Manager and seeing chrome.exe in process list) and should detect once you again have Internet connectivity and perform the sync as usual, without you having to open the app at all.

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Marko

[DEP/Dodo]

I am on the one computer that does have the Chrome icon showing down on the right in the system tray and see that it does state that Chrome is running in the background (as opposed to apps when Chrome is closed, which is what it says in Under the Hood within Options; I'm still confused about the difference between those two functions).  Does this mean that offline Gmail can sync when I'm connected to the I'net w/o opening Chrome, itself?  That is, can I  just be on the desktop with nothing open?  ~Dodo

On Sat, Sep 24, 2011 at 9:53 AM, Jeff Grossman <je...@stikman.com> wrote:

[Marko Vukovic]

D, I mentioned earlier... those two settings are one and the same thing. Uncheck one and the other goes away too. If you turn it off then NO, no on-line sync will happen if you close Chrome.

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Marko

[Jeff Grossman]

Thanks Marko, you explained that much better than I could have.

[Jeff Grossman]

Those are the same just worded differently.  Offline Gmail is a Chome extension.  It only works in Chrome.  It requires Chrome to be running to function correctly.  If you have the option selected that says "Continue running background apps when Google Chrome is closed", then Chrome will continue to run in the background, even if you have closed the program or just started up your computer.  This allows Offline Gmail to run because in theory Chrome is running (in the background) even though you do not see a Chrome window open.  With Offline Gmail running then it is syncing with the Gmail servers as long as your have an active internet connection.  This makes sure then when you do not have an active internet connection you have the most up to date e-mails for Offline Gmail.

I hope that helps.

[DEP/Dodo]

Marko, I have just read your last two posts.  Thank you for clarifying that the two settings are the same.  Strangely, all three computers do not consistently show in the Task Manager that the offline app and Chrome are running even though that option is checked Under the Hood (I mean, Bonnet-).  And, as I wrote in an earlier post, only one of my three computers shows the Chrome icon in the system tray area.

Meanwhile, I have your and Jeff's posts starred for easy reference here!  ~Dodo

[DEP/Dodo]

Jeff, your post of 9/24 was also helpful and clear, which is why I starred it at that time.  ~Diane

[DEP/Dodo]

It does help--another starred post for my easy reference.  I was testing this out earlier tonight (for my own comprehension) on my computer with offline Gmail installed.  I only had the Desktop showing.  Still connected to the I'net, I then opened offline Gmail to see if it would tell me it was syncing.  It apparently was completed while I was merely on the Desktop.

I love this stuff* (when it works!) and am so grateful to have found this group to put up with my questions and teach me so much!

(* "stuff" = highly technical term)  ~Dodo

[Jeff Grossman]

Do all three computers have Offline Gmail installed?  Even though the option to run Chrome in the background is selected, it will only run in the background if you have an extension of webapp that requires it to run in the background.  The only extension or webapp that I know of right now that uses that feature is Offline Gmail.  There are probably others, but I don't know what they are.

If all three computers do have Offline Gmail installed, maybe the Windows notification area is hiding the icon.  I have seen where Windows will hide inactive or seldom used icons from the notification area.

Jeff

--

[DEP/Dodo]

Jeff, just in the last 24 hours, what you suggested occurred to me as well.  (So I'm feeling good that that occurred to me all by myself and you've corroborated it!)  Only one computer has offline Gmail installed and that is the computer that has the Chrome icon in the system tray, which Marko mentioned.

Something else I've been experimenting to find out is whether a message in the Outbox of offline Gmail will get sent when I'm again online with or without accessing offline Gmail (that is, only having Chrome open).  And, further, with Chrome and apps always operating in the background, will mail in the Outbox get sent while I'm online and on only the desktop; that is, w/o opening Chrome or offline Gmail?  I haven't yet tried just being on the desktop.  For the other possibilities, it's gone both ways.  I have observed mail in the Outbox has been sent with only Chrome open.  However, tonight when I was experimenting, the mail didn't leave the Outbox until I accessed offline Gmail.

I should go to bed now, but I am going to go to that computer and (again) try all 3 ways.  I'll report back shortly.  ~Dodo

[DEP/Dodo]

Things went smoothly for a while and then got very confusing.  Before I report, I just want to say that this computer (w/o the offline app) just received my test messages sent several minutes ago from the computer with the app.

For my experimenting, I toggled back and forth being connected/disconnected to my router which, in effect, is like being connected/disconnected from the I'net.  My first test msg. did not get sent while just being on the desktop.  Similarly, my second did not get sent with only having Chrome open.  (Yet I am nearly positive messages have been sent this way when I really have been offline and returned home again.)  Tonight, messages were sent from the Outbox only when the offline app was open.  However, one message did not get sent, nor could I find it in offline Gmail's Drafts.  This is a serious problem I have encountered with real offline usage.  I have reported it and can't help wonder if others have experienced this as well, which is a reasonable expectation. I  finally found it, however, in Drafts on the computer from which I an writing this (that doesn't have the offline app).  That is another problem I am having with the offline app:  its different appearance is unfamiliar and confusing, making it difficult to find specific messages.  Finally, there is a red "Send error" message on the computer with the app, but the message is on regular Chrome Gmail in the upper right above my Chat list.  I didn't notice it right away because that particular computer is a notebook with a smaller screen.  I can only guess that that error message relates to the missing sent message.

So I guess my findings are inconclusive except that messages are not sent when only the desktop is showing.  Despite what I found tonight, I am sure that my messages have been sent with only Chrome open once I returned to an I'net connection in real situations.  

I apologize for the wordiness here, but I don't know how I could have shortened it.  Anyone who is still awake after reading this, please share your experiences with sending from the offline app.  And has anyone else lost messages?  I suppose I could copy/paste messages into drafts before sending the originals to the Outbox.  If a message then got lost, there'd be a draft for re-sending.  ~Dodo

[Zack (Doc)]

Dodo,

As a network engineer, I can tell you that toggling your router is not EXACTLY like you going offline and back online, and these types of tests RARELY produce the expected results.  This is because most users lack the patience to wait for the systems to catch up to the state they're trying to test "Wait, it's finally happening now that I told you it wasn't happening" is one of the most common phrases I hear.  Subjective time of "I've waited long enough" rarely is.

Your best test is just to use it like you normally would.  Take notes on when it doesn't seem to work, or does, and click the report buttons when it doesn't.

[Sarah]

While it can sync by itself, it does not happen continuously/continually. And, I don't think sync is instantly triggered by the condition of having mail in the outbox. Re: Zack...

On 29 Sep 2011 08:33, "DEP/Dodo" <depf...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Things went smoothly for a while and then got very confusing. Before I

> report, I just want to say that *this* computer (w/o the offline app) just
> received my test messages sent several minutes ago from the computer *with* the

> app.
>
> For my experimenting, I toggled back and forth being connected/disconnected
> to my router which, in effect, is like being connected/disconnected from the
> I'net. My first test msg. did not get sent while just being on the desktop.
> Similarly, my second did not get sent with only having Chrome open. (Yet I
> am nearly positive messages have been sent this way when I really have been
> offline and returned home again.) Tonight, messages were sent from the
> Outbox only when the offline app was open. However, one message did

> *not*get sent, nor could I find it in offline Gmail's Drafts.
> *This is a serious problem I have encountered with real offline usage*. I

> have reported it and can't help wonder if others have experienced this as
> well, which is a reasonable expectation. I finally found it, however, in
> Drafts on the computer from which I an writing this (that doesn't have the
> offline app). That is another problem I am having with the offline app:
> its different appearance is unfamiliar and confusing, making it difficult
> to find specific messages. Finally, there is a red "Send error" message on
> the computer with the app, but the message is on regular Chrome Gmail in the
> upper right above my Chat list. I didn't notice it right away because that
> particular computer is a notebook with a smaller screen. I can only guess
> that that error message relates to the missing sent message.
>

> So I guess my findings are inconclusive except that *messages are not sent
> when only the desktop is showing*. Despite what I found tonight, I am sure

> that my messages have been sent with only Chrome open once I returned to an
> I'net connection in real situations.
>
> I apologize for the wordiness here, but I don't know how I could have
> shortened it. Anyone who is still awake after reading this, please share
> your experiences with sending from the offline app. And has anyone else
> lost messages? I suppose I could copy/paste messages into drafts before
> sending the originals to the Outbox. If a message then got lost, there'd be

> a draft for re-sending. *~Dodo*

>
>
> On Wed, Sep 28, 2011 at 10:59 PM, DEP/Dodo <depf...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I should go to bed now, but I am going to go to that computer and (again)
>> try all 3 ways. I'll report back shortly.
>

[DEP/Dodo]

Thanks, Zack.  Makes totalf sense.  Another reply to star.  ~Dodo

[DEP/Dodo]

Having had several messages disappear while I was truly offline is not a good test result.  ~Dodo

On Thu, Sep 29, 2011 at 4:33 AM, Zack (Doc) <za...@tnan.net> wrote:

[DEP/Dodo]

Zack, for clarification, what report buttons are you referring to?   ~Dodo

On Thu, Sep 29, 2011 at 4:33 AM, Zack (Doc) <za...@tnan.net> wrote:

[Zack (Doc)]

I don't have the app, so I can't say exactly, but given my history with Google products, I have to believe there is a report bug type button/link, probably in the help section somewhere.  And/or a forum specific to that product.

[Sarah]

Dodo,
you should probably report both to offline gmail and chrome
Report an issue in chrome: click spanner, tools, report an issue
In offline gmail, I am not certain that you can.
And there are other users (specifically of the new offline Web app) complaining about lost mail. It's just the posts are scattered about.

You said you got a message the other day with "Jim"in it, that flashed across the screen, & then you were disconnected...
See google chrome help, troubleshooting, "He's dead,  Jim".
This message is related to memory shortage, and is displayed when the operating system is low on memory, you may see it just before chrome shuts the tab, or the browser shuts altogether. You may also see this message if you terminate processes in chrome using google chrome task manager, or windows task manager.
The advice is to close tabs you don't need in chrome, if you have multiple tabs open, and to close other open programs to free up memory resources.

If your computer is low on memory, it will be slow. It is also not impossible that low memory could cause the problem of vanishing messages you have experienced.

On 1 Oct 2011 02:04, "Zack (Doc)" <za...@tnan.net> wrote:
> I don't have the app, so I can't say exactly, but given my history with
> Google products, I have to believe there is a report bug type button/link,
> probably in the help section somewhere. And/or a forum specific to that
> product.
>
> On Fri, Sep 30, 2011 at 18:44, DEP/Dodo <depf...@gmail.com> wrote:
>

>> Zack, for clarification, what report buttons are you referring to? *
>> ~Dodo*

[DEP/Dodo]

It's been a while, but I sent a report about the disappearing messages via a "help section somewhere," as you put it.  ~Dodo

[DEP/Dodo]

Hi Sarah.  As I just replied to Zack's post, I did report the disappearing messages via a help section, and I believe it was offline Gmail.  By "spanner," I think you mean the wrench icon, and I will look into sending a report that way as well.  That "Jim" message only appeared that one time (I'd since forgotten about it).  It was on my newest computer (only a few months old) which, essentially, is used for Gmail, so I can't imagine it's a memory shortage.  I can't recall what else, if anything, was going on at that time.

Tomorrow I am taking that computer with me and will truly be offline.  I am going to do some testing as Zack suggested.  ~Dodo

[DEP/Dodo]

I just sent a report as you described below.  Thank you for that information.  It was easy to do.  Hopefully, since I cannot be the only one experiencing the disappearing sent messages while offline, others will follow suit in reporting, and a fix will be forthcoming.  ~Dodo

[Sarah]

Yes, "wrench" is American for the tool commonly known in the UK as a "spanner" - technically, it will be a wrench, as google hail from USA. A lot of UK users call it a spanner as it's the word in common usage here; we see that shape & it's the word that automatically comes to mind. :-)  I wonder if google will eventually convert us to thinking "wrench" instead.

On 1 Oct 2011 07:24, "DEP/Dodo" <depf...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I just sent a report as you described below. Thank you for that
> information. It was easy to do. Hopefully, since I cannot be the only one
> experiencing the disappearing sent messages while offline, others will

> follow suit in reporting, and a fix will be forthcoming. *~Dodo*

>
>
> On Fri, Sep 30, 2011 at 10:38 PM, DEP/Dodo <depf...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Report an issue in chrome: click spanner, tools, report an issue
>> In offline gmail, I am not certain that you can.
>>
>

[Zack (Doc)]

Further for my American breathern to understand our UK cousins, some key ones to watch for (courtesy of BBC America):

Fag = Cigarette

Torch = Flashlight

Bonnet = Hood (engine compartment)

Boot = Trunk (of car)

Two-Finger Salute = One finger salute

Holiday = Family vacation trip

Bank Holiday = Day off from work that everyone shares, including bankers

Fanny = Nevermind, I don't want to tell you that one.

[DEP/Dodo]

Such variety of info is available within this group!  lol.  I'm not even going to ask how the two-finger salute translates to one.  ~Dodo

[Marko Vukovic]

Haha, here's some more I could think of

Aerial = Antenna

Angry = Mad (Mad = Crazy)

Autumn = Fall

Bank Note = Bill

Biscuit = Cookie

Chemist = Drug Store (Medicine = Drugs)

Chips = French Fries

Cupboard = Closet

Curtains = Drapes

Flat = Apartment

Engine = Motor

Queue = Line

Rubber = Eraser

Rubbish = Trash

Pavement = Sidewalk

Petrol = Gasoline

Silencer = Muffler

Shop = Store

Windscreen = Windshield

Here in South Africa we call bank holidays public holidays.

Also, don't y'all think it's time to start using the metric system, and also let go of that darn Fahrenheit scale :P

On Sun, Oct 2, 2011 at 5:51 PM, Zack (Doc) <za...@tnan.net> wrote:

Further for my American breathern to understand our UK cousins, some key ones to watch for (courtesy of BBC America):

Fag = Cigarette

Torch = Flashlight

Bonnet = Hood (engine compartment)

Boot = Trunk (of car)

Two-Finger Salute = One finger salute

Holiday = Family vacation trip

Bank Holiday = Day off from work that everyone shares, including bankers

Fanny = Nevermind, I don't want to tell you that one.

--
Marko

[Sarah]

In the UK we routinely do both, it's a matter of nuance of meaning. ;-)

On 3 Oct 2011 01:00, "DEP/Dodo" <depf...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Such variety of info is available within this group! lol. I'm not even

> going to ask how the two-finger salute translates to one. *~Dodo*

>
> On Sun, Oct 2, 2011 at 8:51 AM, Zack (Doc) <za...@tnan.net> wrote:
>
>> Further for my American breathern to understand our UK cousins, some key
>> ones to watch for (courtesy of BBC America):
>>
>> Fag = Cigarette
>> Torch = Flashlight
>> Bonnet = Hood (engine compartment)
>> Boot = Trunk (of car)
>> Two-Finger Salute = One finger salute
>> Holiday = Family vacation trip
>> Bank Holiday = Day off from work that everyone shares, including bankers
>> Fanny = Nevermind, I don't want to tell you that one.
>>
>

[Sean Murphy]

    Seconded, as a Tech Support Phone Center agent. I even catch myself not waiting long enough if I don't monitor he time the reset is taking visually on a timer...

[Sean Murphy]

    It's a very specific finger that is commonly used to salute a stupid move in traffic...

[DEP/Dodo]

You misunderstood, Sean.  I know precisely what was meant.  I was referring to why it was called the "two-finger" salute.  ~Dodo

[Zack (Doc)]

I'd think you'd pick that up easily enough... cause they use two fingers (like a V showing the back of your hand) instead of the one; but as Sarah said, that's one they're happy to translate if they show you and you don't get it.

It's also how the one American spy is caught in the movie "Inglorious Bastards"... when he orders two beers.

--

[Sarah]

Actually meant both gestures are in common usage here; but, it's true, verbal encouragement is given freely!
In my experience, two fingers has a very specific, and quite limited translation, whereas the phrasal accompaniments to one are more varied & creative.

On 4 Oct 2011 00:16, "Zack (Doc)" <za...@tnan.net> wrote:
> I'd think you'd pick that up easily enough... cause they use two fingers
> (like a V showing the back of your hand) instead of the one; but as Sarah
> said, that's one they're happy to translate if they show you and you don't
> get it.
>
> It's also how the one American spy is caught in the movie "Inglorious
> Bastards"... when he orders two beers.
>
> On Mon, Oct 3, 2011 at 15:31, DEP/Dodo <depf...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> You misunderstood, Sean. I know precisely what was meant. I was referring

>> to why it was called the "*two*-finger" salute. *~Dodo*

>>
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Oct 3, 2011 at 11:28 AM, Sean Murphy <smpa...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> It's a very specific finger that is commonly used to salute a stupid
>>> move in traffic...
>>>
>>> On Sun, Oct 2, 2011 at 19:59, DEP/Dodo <depf...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Such variety of info is available within this group! lol. I'm not even

>>>> going to ask how the two-finger salute translates to one. *~Dodo*