I love Gmail and have been really rocking it lately, by adding a few new additions to my Gmail screen, most via Google Labs.  It has totally become my hub of operations. Here's how you can make Gmail the center of your productive world. All of these add ons are going to add extra boxes to your Gmail interface, so if you're a minimalist, this will hurt. 

1. Remember the Milk (Firefox only)

A to-do list is only as good as the frequency with which you actually view it and with the RTM Gmail plugin, you'll be staring at your to-do list all freaking day. That is, if you are in a co-dependent Gmail relationship like I am. Best feature: being able to turn starred emails into tasks. Very cool. 

2. Add links to Docs & Google Calendar (via Google Labs)

True Google addicts who use the whole suite of Google products will love this one. You can add quick links to your most recent documents (you can also change it to view starred documents ) and you can add quick access to your Google Calendar, showing you your next 5 appointments right on your Gmail screen.

3. Use Google Chat for all your chat needs

First, add your AIM contacts to Gchat. It's hard to believe, but some people are not addicted to Gchat and are still using AIM. Here's a low maintenance way to talk to them. Secondly, if you have a webcam or a Macbook with a built in camera, video and voice chat is the latest addition.

4. Use Web Clips to read RSS feeds (accessible via Gmail's Settings menu)

I love Web Clips, those tiny snippets of news Google will show you above your inbox. I get an embarrassing amount of news that way, by noticing what Gmail has decided to show me. You can add bundles of blogs Google picks for you (I have "News" and "Tech"). But, did you know you can add some of your favorite blogs to the clips? It's true! An easy way to keep up on some of your most favorite blogs without having to (gasp) leave Gmail. 

5. Text your friends with Google Chat

This one is a bit premature since Google announced they were adding SMS to their chat feature and then pulled it back because it was too buggy. But, at some point in the future, we'll be able to send texts via Gchat. Anyone who sucks at T9, is on a limited texting plan or with a phone that gets crappy reception will love this feature.