RE: Gmail
I tend to agree with the criticism of the new Gmail editor.  But a couple
of things help.  After hitting 'Reply' and getting into the new editor to
edit Subject line click on the down arrow at the left of the address and
scroll down, Edit Subject is an option. To delete the previous message
click on the three little dots in the lower left then select all using
Ctrl+a and press the space bar.  Or you can go back to the old format by
clicking on the down arrow in the lower right corner, the option to use the
old format is hidden there.  Didn't they do a great job of making all that
easy to find? :(

As for teaching someone to drive if at all possible have them learn in a
vehicle with an automatic tranny.  For the exact reasons you mention, there
is a lot of multitasking going on for the student.  Once they have learned
to drive and after they have their license and all those things needed to
safely move the vehicle from point A to point C without hitting point B on
the way then learning to use the clutch is a very short lesson.  Mastering
it is a lifetime :)