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Note: This solution applies for almost any document, not just Gmail messages.

For US English keyboard users, the international keyboard (which is not a physical keyboard, but rather a simple Control Panel setting) is the easiest and most convenient method for typing French accents because it maintains the QWERTY layout, with just a few changes and additions:

• To type accent grave (à, è, etc), type ` (to the left of 1) then the vowel.
• Accent aigu (é), type ' (single quote) then e.
• Cédille (ç), type ' then c.
• Circonflexe (ê), type ^ (shift + 6) then e.
• Tréma (ö), type " (shift + ') then o.
• To type French quotation marks « » use ctrl + alt + [ and ], respectively.

Goto: http://french.about.com/od/writing/ss/typeaccents_2.htm

In order to use the international keyboard to type French accents, you need to select that keyboard layout. you need to add it to Windows. Once you've done this, you can either set it as your default keyboard, or use alt plus shift to toggle between two or more layouts. The way to do this is slightly different for each operating system.

Windows Vista

• Open your Control Panel
• If in Classic View, click Control Panel Home in upper-left corner
• Under Clock, Language, and Region, click Change keyboards or other input methods
• Click Change keyboards
• Click Add
• Scroll down to the layout you want to add*
• >>> find UnitedStates - International
• If you don't see a list including the keyboard you want, click + to expand
• Choose your layout
• Click OK in each dialog window.

Windows XP

• Open your Control Panel (via Start menu or My Computer)
• Double-click Regional and Language Options
• Click Languages
• Click Details
• Click Add
• Under "Input Language" pick the language you want to add*
• >>> English United States
• Under "Keyboard layout/IME" make your selection
• >>> Keyboard international
• Click OK in each dialog window.

(or goto: http://french.about.com/od/writing/ss/typeaccents_6.htm)

I saw it at Borders, so I will reference the Borders URL, but I am sure you can get it anywhere: http://www.borders.com/online/store/TitleDetail?sku=0470458429.

It gives a lot of good ideas, and a list of interesting URLs connected with Twitter. The books also lists the @addresses of leading Twitter users. You can also check twitPwr.com for more information. Thank you Joel!

The interesting thing with twitter is that despite (thanks to ?) the limitations of the system, tweeters are inventing a totally new way to communicate and understand the "wisdom of the crowds". Just fascinating. There is a version 2 coming for this book.

Another very interesting event organized by the French American Chamber Of Commerce of San Francisco and its tireless leader, Carole Granade assisted by the non less tireless Marie Brun. The presentation was at the address of ParisSoma.

PariSoma is a collective workgroup created by French Speaking enginners and entrepreneurs

It i is located in the famous SOMA (South of Market) district. In fact it is exactly on Market Street.