I have a main Gmail account that I use personally.  I've just created a new specific purpose account.  I'd like to be able to stay signed into my general account, but see the status (new mail count) of the other account so I know when to go read it, since it doesn't get much traffic right now.Is there a way to do this in Gmail?
How do I see one Gmail status when in another Gmail account?
gmail;account management
There are few options that you can do.You can enable the multiple login from the Google Account pageYou can enable from your second account the Forwarding by adding a forwarding e-mail from Settings.You can enable the POP for all mail in your second account and then adding new account in your personal mail from Settings > Accounts and ImportI personally prefer the last option because you can easily add a new label for all your e-mails from the second account and even skipping the inbox.