This won't dispose of the need to scan your spam folder through the Gmail interface periodically but it will circumvent performance issues.

1. Click Settings in Gmail
2. Click Forwarding and POP/IMAP
3. Choose "Enable POP only for mail that arrives from now on" (all mail will take a long long time)
   
4. Choose "keep LSNet-GMAIL Mail's copy in the Inbox". That way you can get your mail from another computer.
5. Click "Configuration instructions".
6. Click Thunderbird 2.0
7. You have already done Step 1,, click Configure. Keep these instructions handy, you will be back.
8. Go to http://filehippo.com/download_thunderbird/ download and install the latest version. I will answer questions about Thunderbird, Other clients will evoke grunts.
9. At step 5, do not choose Gmail, On my system, the correct path is Edit, Account Settings, Add Account, Email account, Next.
10. Enter your name and email address (which ends with "@ls.net").
11. Choose POP. IMAP is sexier but more connection intensive. Like a high maintenance mistress.
12. Enter "pop.gmail.com" as your Incoming Server.
13. Leave "Use Global Inbox" checked.
14. Set your "Incoming User Name" to your_user_name@downtowngalax.com. (that is the same as your email address).
15. Set the Account Name to anything you like but the default will work fine and you have to click on it in the next step.
16. Find your new account name and click "Server settings"
17. Change the port number to 995.
18. Click SSL.
19. Ignore the Google instructions to uncheck "Leave messages on server", you will want them there to access your mail from another computer.
20. OK.
21. Click "Outgoing Server"
22. The "Description" is arbitrary - "Gmail SMTP" will do.
23. The "Outgoing Server Name" is "smtp.gmail.com" and the "Port" is 465.
24. Check "Use Name and Password" and enter your user name again.
25. Choose SSL here too.
26. Click OK.
27. Click "Get Mail", enter your password when requested, let the "Password Manager" remember.

Now that was easy, wasn't it? I can attest that it is possible to screw up, even with these instructions, so if they don't work, sign in, leave a comment, and I will try to make them more helpful.

For extra credit, click OpenPGP,