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Export your address book from Google Gmail

If you've ever tried to save your address book from a Web-based or proprietary email service like America Online, you might have felt like you'd fallen through the proverbial looking glass and entered a universe not quite centered around you, the customer. Too many companies think that if they make it darn hard for you to leave their service, you'll stay forever, pay your monthly toll and not complain too loudly.

Fortunately, Google doesn't feel that way, and one of the many things that you can do quite easily in Google's Gmail service is export your Gmail address book. The first step can be tricky, but after that it's a breeze:

    Export Gmail Contacts / Address Book

And if you haven't signed up for a Gmail account yet, please also read How do I invite people to join Gmail?