3 Greasemonkey scripts that will change the way you use Gmail

Today I am going to start a new series on greasemonkey scripts that will change how you use the web forever. Today, I am going to show you 3 greasemonkey scripts that will change the way you use a familiar component of the web, GMail. As simple as many of these addons sound, you will really notice a huge impact on your productivity. If you don't know what Greasemonkey is, or how to use it, look here:  http://thecomputeress.blogspot.com/2009/08/greasemonkey-and-what-it-is-useful-for.html

3. GMailTo

I cannot express what an amazing script this is. Have you ever clicked on an email in a link, only to open outlook or some other e-mail program? This script will open all of your "mailto" links in gmail. This will surely be an addon to your box of greasemonkey scripts.
Get it here: http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/5722

2. Pimp.my.Gmail

A great script, pretty much incorporates a smoother, slick interface, removes ads, and makes your inbox full screen. It adds more emoticons and a fixed navigation bar. It really can make an impact on how smooth your gmail interface is.
Get it here: http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/75047

1. GMail Unread Labels

This is an extremely useful script if you are someone who uses the label/filter function heavily, and you have several labels. This will save screen real estate by only showing the labels that have unread items in them.

Here is a link: http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/24297

Please elaborate on any other Gmail scripts/addons that you use in the comments!
Stumblers, please give a thumbs up!

Thanks!

Google Me: Massive Success or Complete Failure?

Google Me is a new product in development by the tech giant Google. The rumors have recently been confirmed, and so this leads us to the question: Will this be a huge success like GMail, or a huge failure like Wave?

The first thing we cannot discount is Orkut. This Google owned social networking site is already functioning and isn't huge, but it is a pretty major player.

After that, we have to ask, what else can Google bring to the social networking table? Amid the Facebook security controversy, and Diaspora, is there an opportunity for Google among the social networking giants?

I think that Google Me won't make a huge difference in the market. Despite all of the security problems, Facebook already has the market clinched. Google waited too long to make this move, and their best bet is to acquire a social network in my opinion.

Only time can tell if Google can pull a huge success after the failure with Wave.

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Firebug/Wix: Two Essential Web Development Tools

Hello to new readers!

Firebug is an essential addon for ALL web developers. If you don't know about it, you are in for a treat.

Firebug incorporates some amazing options, such as live CSS editing, HTML, Javascript, and DOM viewing/editing. It is a powerful and extensive tool that should be in every web developers toolkit.

Chrome: https://chrome.google.com/extensions/detail/bmagokdooijbeehmkpknfglimnifench
Firefox: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1843/

Wix is another great web development tool for those who don't know how to program. It has a simple interface, great features, and no programming experience needed! It is very easy to set up, it is sleek. I really can't say much wrong with it. There is a lack of flexibility, but all drag and drop programs have issues with that.

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Diaspora: Real Competition Against Facebook?

Diaspora, a startup social networking site that emphasizes privacy as its main selling point, is set to launch on 9/15. Amid a Facebook exodus, the soon-to-launch social networking site is gaining a great amount of exposure and credibility. As the Google Me rumor establishes credibility, it is hard to say whether an indie site such as Diaspora can gain a major user base.

Check back here for more Diaspora updates.

The Flock Web Browser

The Flock web browser is amazing. Anyone who uses social media applications, blogs, and check RSS feeds should use this browser.

What is the first great thing? Well, you can check your facebook, myspace, and twitter right from the browser. All you need to do is log in and you see updates from your friends. You can even make updates, right from your browser!

You can also check your Email right from your browser. This feature supports gmail, ymail, and AOL. It will refresh every so often and the mail icon will grow orange. It will show the subject line of the new email.

Rss feeds have also been simplified in this browser. You can subscribe to all of your favorite RSS feeds. You can put them in folders as well. They will auto refresh and you will be able to check them.

You can also check your friends diggs. The toolbar will show what your friends have been digging lately.

Another feature is blogging, right from your browser! You don't even need to browse to a webpage! This supports typepad, wordpress, and blogger.

Flock is based on firefox. So the largest bonus of all, it works with firefox addons! Most of your favorite firefox addons work with Flock.

Overall this is a great browser. If you would like to download it, go to http://flock.com

Benny

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Java and Netbeans

Now this is for all of you devs, and those interested in how their favorite games or applications are made and work. If you want real interviews from users and makers of java, look here. Java is a very useful, and versatile thing, but first thing is first, what can it be used for? Java is used for everything from applications to games. Java is made by Sun Microsystems. If you want something that is used very widely, and is fairly easy to use, Java is what you want.
Now all programming languages need a compiler. This is needed to turn the code into what the computer can read and interpret. Now there are many Java compilers out there. I only recommend two. The one that comes with JDK (Java Development Kit). It is not very easy to set up, and if you make an error, it is hard to tell what you did wrong. However, it is more traditional, and many developers like this. Then there is Netbeans. Netbeans compiles several languages, and can take scripts from one language and put them into a project with another. Netbeans is pretty cool, and I would surely recommend Netbeans.
Happy programming, and if anyone wants me to get more indepth on Java and Netbeans, please contact me.

Thanks,
Benny

Greasemonkey, and what it is useful for.

Greasemonkey is a firefox addon that has something for everyone. It allows anyone to manipulate a webpage with javascript. You can write your own (learn here), or get some at a page (I'll talk about this later). But what does Greasemonkey really have the power to do?
It can turn myspace into a clean front page, instead of all the clutter there usually is. (found here)
Anything you can do in javascript to edit a page, you can do in greasemonkey. You can get rid of ads, clutter, or anything you want to manipulate.

Now, there are some addons that bundle useful greasemonkey scripts for a webpage. Here lies most of the addons that compile greasemonkey scripts, from Better GReader to Better Youtube. Some things in these addons are very useful, especially if you use these websites alot. There are hundreds of scripts on Userscripts. If you use the web, Greasemonkey will help you somewhere along the way.

Find it here: http://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/748
And the addon homepage is: http://www.greasespot.net/ 

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