Hasta La Gadget!

This article was written on December 19, 2007 by CyberNet.

Web Browser Wednesday

Gmail 2 has introduced some exciting new features to users including AIM messenger support, color coded labels, and several backend improvements. All of these changes have helped remove the need for some Greasemonkey scripts, but such drastic alterations have caused a lot of broken scripts.

Luckily the developers of the Gmail Greasemonkey scripts have been trying their hardest to update their code to work with the new version. Below are 7 scripts that all work with the new Gmail 2.

Note: Gmail 2 is only available for Firefox and Internet Explorer right now, so these scripts have not been tested outside of Firefox.

–Gmail Quota Graph (Homepage)–

If you have a hard time keeping up with all the storage Google is offering Gmail users then what you might need is a graphical representation. This small script plots a graph showing your Gmail account usage (blue) versus the storage that Google is offering (red). Try to keep the blue line from meeting the red one.

–Folders4Gmail (Homepage)–

This is hands down one of my favorite Gmail scripts. With it you can quickly create a folder-like structure for your labels. Google has a feature like this on the horizon for Gmail 2 users, but as it stands right now Folders4Gmail plays a big part in my Label organization.

–Gmail Real Estate (Homepage)–

Want to take back some of the screen space that Gmail occupies? With this script you’re able to condense down the “sidebars” and the header in a single click. On top, left, and right edges of the screen you’ll notice a small arrow which can be used to expand/contract the respective areas. In this screenshot I only have the header condensed:

Click to Enlarge

–Blue Gmail Skin (Homepage)–

If Gmail isn’t blue enough for you as it is this is a script that you’ll want to install. For me the bright blue buttons take it a bit over the edge, but that could just be me.

Click to Enlarge

–Enhance Gmail (Homepage)–

As of right now this is the only way for you to view your Google Calendar without leaving Gmail 2. It simply divides the screen up into two different non-resizable frames, with your email located on one side and Google Calendar/Chat located on the other.

I know what you’re thinking…why would I need a link for chatting when there is already Gmail chat built-in? This script opens the Flash version which is a bit more powerful, but it also eats up much more of your Inbox screen space.

Tip: The developer of the script recommends using the Enhance Google Cal script as well to force Google Calendar to fit in such a small area.

Click to Enlarge

–Gmail Beautifier (Homepage)–

This is a simple way to hide the right column when you’re reading an email. Once installed you’ll see a right/left arrow that corresponds to collapsing/expanding the sidebar.

–Gmail Full Width (Homepage)–

If you feel the need to eliminate the ads all together this is the script for you. It will remove the ads from the right side, and place the buttons that were in that column alongside the subject of the email. It looks so good that you would almost think that this was Gmail’s default layout.

Copyright © 2011 CyberNet | CyberNet Forum | Learn Firefox

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This article was written on July 09, 2008 by CyberNet.

Google has just taken an extra step to protect Gmail users from eBay and PayPal phishing attempts by implementing technology called DomainKeys. With the technology, email messages sent by phishers attempting to trick unsuspecting people into giving out an eBay or PayPal password are completely blocked. In the past, Gmail has done its best to put a red label at the top of messages that it suspected were phishing attempts, which was really helpful, but there’s really no need to ever receive these messages at all.

We mentioned DomainKeys the technology behind this, and it is also the same technology that Yahoo uses to protect their mail users from phishing attempts. A quick look at the DomainKeys entry on Wikipedia found that the technology was actually designed by Mark Delany of Yahoo. It’s covered under a patent assigned to Yahoo, but it’s released under a dual license scheme as well which makes it possible for Gmail to use.

Here’s how it works. DomainKeys is essentially an email authentication system and it verifies the good senders (eBay and PayPal). If the sender can’t be verified, the message won’t be delivered to a Gmail user’s inbox. Ebay and PayPal have put in work to make this effective as well, by ensuring that all of their email messages that are sent out are signed with DomainKeys and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail). This move really helps fight phishing and should mean that you won’t have to worry about giving out your PayPal or eBay password to someone out there that intends to empty out your account.

Copyright © 2010 CyberNet | CyberNet Forum | Learn Firefox

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This article was written on March 30, 2007 by CyberNet.

Firefox is known for having its inline spell checker that underlines misspelled words as you type them. I truly believe that this feature in Firefox has helped the Internet as a whole become more readable by reducing the number of misspellings in even the simplest things, like comments.

Mozilla does provide multiple languages for their dictionaries, but Opera also gets some of its own Ajaxy goodness with a script that has been made up to support spell checking in 27 different languages. Here is everything the script has to offer:

• It’s blazing fast since JavaScript is stored locally
• Inline and dynamic
• AJAX is used to send and receive data
• Support for 27 languages
• Ability to switch language dynamically

If it sounds like something you would like to use just follow these simple steps:

1. Download the files here and put them in a folder such as My Documents/OperaScripts.
2. In Opera go to Tools > Preferences > Advanced > Content > JavaScript Options > Choose… and select the folder from Step 1.
3. Click OK, and then load a page with a text field in it. Click in that field and you should see the spell checker button similar to what is pictured below.

I had it installed in my Opera within 10 or 15 seconds, and at first I was wondering where the heck the spell checker was. Of course, being a computer geek I never feel like reading instructions or anything so I kept trying to figure out why the spell checker wasn’t showing up! Ahh, then I realized that you have to click in a text field and then a little tab will show up below that field, and clicking on the two-way arrow initiates the spell check:

It is still nice to have the inline spell check in Firefox, but this is definitely a step in the right direction for current Opera users. There is also a preferences file that you can download and use with the script so that you can choose to use the spell checker from Gmail (you have to be logged in), Orangoo, or fearphage. Also, if you only enable one language in the preferences then the drop-down box will be completely removed. That way it doesn’t take up quite so much room.

Maybe when Opera 10 rolls around it too will have inline spell check built-in, but until that time this is one script that I will definitely keep installed! Hopefully Opera 10 will also have a management screen for scripts that you currently have installed.

Source: Opera Watch

Copyright © 2010 CyberNet | CyberNet Forum | Learn Firefox

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This article was written on August 29, 2007 by CyberNet.

Web Browser Wednesday

I’ve been addicted to sidebars ever since I bought my first widescreen monitor. Sidebars have the ability to provide a lot of information inside a very small space, and it wasn’t until recently that I fully started to utilize them. It all started when I put the Tab-Bar on the side in both my Firefox and Opera installations (video on customizing Opera), and then seeing how Start++ handled the implementation of mobile sites capped it off.

So what I’m going to show you today is my top 10 favorite sites to put in your browser’s sidebar. Most of the sites mentioned were created for mobile devices, which means they load at least twice as fast as the normal site. This makes it even more appealing to me.

Both Opera and Firefox support this kind of feature, so I’ll get started by showing you how to do it in each of those browsers.

–Firefox–

Having a site open in the sidebar is pretty easy in Firefox:

1. Right-click on one of the URL’s that we provide below, and then bookmark it.
   
2. After you have saved the bookmark, go back to the Bookmarks Menu and right-click on the bookmark. Choose the Properties option.
   
3. Now check the box that says Load this bookmark in the sidebar:
   
4. The next time you open that bookmark it will popup in the sidebar!

–Opera–

Opera is actually a little easier when it comes to placing sites in the sidebar, and they have more features as well. One thing that you should know is that Opera refers to the sidebar as “panels,” and here is how you add a bookmark to a panel:

1. Right-click on a URL to bookmark it. Then click the button labeled Details, and then check the box that says Show in panel:
   
2. Now you’ll notice that the bookmark was also added to your list of panels. Note: If the Panel’s bar takes up too much room read our tutorial on making it smaller.

Opera’s additional sidebar features come in handy for displaying sites. When you’re viewing a site in one of the panels, you can adjust the zoom so that the text is bigger or smaller, or you can have the site optimized for small screen display (removes most images, etc…). I recommend that you try out the small screen rendering on all of the sites, and you’ll notice that some of them look better that way:

–Top 10 Sidebar Sites–

Alright, on to the sites! I’ve gone through dozens of different mobile sites (including ones made for the iPhone) and were able to pick 10 of them that look and work well in the sidebar. So without further ado, here are my favorites in no particular order:

Tip: The site titles are hyperlinked to their mobile sites, and all you have to do is follow the instructions given above for bookmarking them in your browser.

1. Weather Underground
   What you’ll want to do with this site is visit the URL in your browser first, enter in your Zipcode, and then bookmark that address. Then you won’t have to worry about putting in that information each time. If you’re using Opera I recommend enabling the small screen rendering that I mentioned above.
   
2. goMovies
   Just like the previous one, you’ll want to visit the URL, enter in your Zipcode, and then bookmark that address. Then each time you pull up your movie listings, it will automatically retrieve them for the theaters in your area. Opera users should probably set the zoom a little lower (I use about 80%).
   
3. Gmail
   The mobile Gmail site not only looks good, but gives you fast access to all of your emails. Using it you can read and compose emails, which makes it an amazing time saver! I’ve been using this for most of my mail needs since it is so much faster than the actual Gmail interface.
4. Google Calendar
   This gives you a quick overview of your upcoming events, but the best part is that you add items to your calendar from here.
   
5. Remember the Milk
   My favorite task manager now has the ability to sit inside of my sidebar. You can add new tasks and see what’s due. I’ve found myself using the service a lot more now that it is so condensed and easily accessible.
6. Google Notebook
   You can manage your entire Google Notebook from your sidebar.
7. Digg
   If you’re a Digg addict then I think this is a must. The mobile version of the Digg site gives you a fast-loading alternative to view the news. It’s nice when it only takes a second to load instead of 30-seconds like the normal site does sometimes!
   
8. Google Talk
   Chat it up with all your friends with this handy little Flash app.
9. Facebook
   I know that a lot of you are addicted to Facebook, and so I thought this would fit right in. It displays recent events from your news feed, upcoming events, and lets you change your status.
   
10. Twitter
    This is a really handy site for anyone that uses Twitter. You can update your status, and view recent entries from your friends. The small screen rendering in Opera is also really nice for this one.
    

–Overview–

I’m finding myself using sites in the sidebar more and more these days, especially since they often reduce the number of extensions you need to install. If you come across any sites that work well in the sidebar, let us know in the comments below. I’m sure there are a bunch of great ones out there, and I just wanted to get the ball rolling by listing off my top 10!

Copyright © 2010 CyberNet | CyberNet Forum | Learn Firefox

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While the rest of the world has yet to taste the sweet elixir of free voice calls from its email supplier, US-based Gmailers are having their fun extended for a whole new year. Back in August, Google made it possible to dial up voice numbers in the US and Canada for free, and now, in the true holiday spirit of keeping users happy and advertising dollars flowing, Google promises to keep that service free through all of 2011. And if it decides to extend it into 2012, we could have free calls until the end of the world.

Gmail’s free voice calls will be available through all of 2011, still only in the US originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 03:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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