userscripts posts

Filed under: Google, Open Source, Browsers

Customizing Chromium with Userscripts gets way easier in nightly build

by Lee Mathews Nov 4th 2009

You won't notice this change in Google Chrome just yet, even if you're running the developer channel. But if you happen to be one of the intrepid souls who routinely download and roll the dice on Chromium nightly builds, you've now got a much easier way to install Userscripts.

In past releases, you had to manually save Userscripts into your Chromium (or Chrome) Userdata\Default folder. Not any more! Now, all you have to do is click on the .js download link for any Userscript. Once saved, Chromium automatically converts the script to a Chrome Extension.

Tags: chromium, extensions, google chrome, GoogleChrome, userscripts

Filed under: Features, Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Google, Browsers, Lists

15+ great Google Chrome extensions

by Lee Mathews Nov 2nd 2009

We've already mentioned other ways to power up Google Chrome. Before extensions arrived on the developer channel, Userscripts and bookmarklets were your only options. Both are still great ways to add some kick-ass functionality to Chrome. If you're running the stable or beta builds, you may want to stick to them for now.

10 handy Userscripts for Google Chrome users
15+ handy bookmarklets for Google Chrome (and other browsers, too!)

Now, onto the extensions!

If you have a favorite that I left off, feel free to share it in the comments!
Share

Tags: add-ons, bookmarklets, browser, browsers, chrome-4, chromium, developer-channel, extensions, features, google chrome, google-chrome, GoogleChrome, lists, productivity, UserScripts, utilities

Filed under: Design, Microblogging

Make Twitter's web interface sexier with Helvetwitter

by Jay Hathaway Sep 14th 2009

Twitter is a lot of things to a lot of people, but "pretty" isn't really the first one that comes to mind. It doesn't have to be that way, though, because you can give Twitter a clean, minimal new look with Helvetwitter. It's a script that lets you view the Twitter website in black and red, with all the type in Helvetica, and plenty of white space for all the words to breathe. This may sound somewhat familiar, because it's inspired by the' Helvetireader script for Google Reader, which made my list of the 10 best Greasemonkey scripts.

Helvetwitter isn't perfect for everyone. One if its big pluses is that it doesn't use the entire area of your browser window, so you can shrink Twitter down and drag it off to the side of your screen. On the other hand, the lack of icons can make it harder to pick out whose tweets you're reading at a glance. The lack of sidebar is both a plus and a minus: I personally don't miss it, but you might if you actually care about trending topics. You can install Helvetwitter in Greasemonkey if you use Firefox, and the site offers instructions on how to set it up on other browsers.

Tags: greasemonkey, helvetwitter, script, skin, twitter, userscripts

Filed under: Utilities, Web services, Browsers

Greasemonkey to Firefox add-on converter: why bother?

by Jay Hathaway Sep 2nd 2009

Firefox users love their extensions, and Greasemonkey is one of the coolest. The ability to run Userscripts that change the appearance of virtually any webpage is some powerful stuff.

But what if you want to install all those userscripts as separate add-ons? Well, there's a userscript-to-xpi converter that – Wait a minute.

Why the heck would you want to install your userscripts that way? Loading up Greasemonkey is a lot faster than individually converting your scripts, and it also gives you access to any preferences that might come with them. Converting them to extensions seems like it would bog down your add-ons list, on top of being a royal pain the butt.

If you still want to go through with it, for some reason, the converter is an easy web form and seems to work pretty well.

[via gHacks]

Tags: add-ons, extensions, firefox, greasemonkey, scripts, userscripts, xpi

Filed under: Features, Google, Browsers

10 handy Userscripts for Google Chrome

by Lee Mathews Sep 2nd 2009

So it's finally a year old, and many of you have been playing with Google Chrome as a secondary browser for quite some time now. Heck, quite a few of you are probably using it as your primary browser by now - which may explain your interest in this post.

Just because Chrome doesn't boast the huge assortment of add-ons that Firefox does doesn't mean it's not extensible. With Userscripts alone, there is plenty of functionality you can add to Google's browser. Here are ten scripts I find handy!

AdSweep can be had as a Chrome extension, but since they're pretty well just packaged Userscripts you might as well just use the script version. It does an excellent job vacuuming up excessive adverts without mangling page layouts too badly.

AutoPagerize is a classic Greasemonkey script, if such a thing exists. When reading multi-page articles, AutoPagerize will automatically load the next page's content inline. I find it useful on lengthy-but-split-up reviews like the ones on Tom's Hardware Guide.

Better GMail has also made the jump from Firefox and Greasemonkey to Chrome. Since it's a collection of individual scripts, you can drop in only those you want to activate. Components include mouseover row highlighting, folders4gmail, and various page element hiding scripts.

BlockFlash2 (pictured above) is just what you've been looking for if you're missing FlashBlock for Firefox. While it's not as full-featured, it gets the job done. Flash elements won't autoload after dropping in BF2 - they'll be replaced with a blank placeholder and appear only when you give the go ahead. You can whitelist sites, though you'll have to do it manually by editing the .js file.

Tags: google chrome, GoogleChrome, greasemonkey, userscripts, webkit

Filed under: Google, Browsers, Microblogging

PBtweet powers up your Twitter web experience on Google Chrome

by Lee Mathews Aug 31st 2009

Google Chrome has had Userscripts support for a long time. Unfortunately, a lot of the really great Userscripts are designed with Greasemonkey for Firefox in mind, meaning you miss out if you're using Chrome.

PBtweet, on the other hand, works just fine in webkit-based browsers like Chrome and Safari and it brings a more powerful interface to Twitter's web client.

Save that script into your User Scripts folder and activate support using the --enable-user-scripts switch, and you're ready to rock. PBtweet adds several handy features including auto-refresh, threaded replies, short URL expansion, translation, retweeting, and picture thumbnails from sites like Twitpic and Tumblr.

For a touch of eye candy, PBtweet makes use of Webkit's support for CSS3 transition effects. If you'd prefer not to monkey around with a Userscript, there's even a bookmarklet you can use to activate the features.

Not sure how to enable Userscripts in Google Chrome? Chrome Plugins spells it all out.

Tags: bookmarklets, google-chrome, marklets, pbtweet, twitter, userscripts, webkit

Filed under: Google, Browsers

Make GMail handle mailto: links in Google Chrome

by Lee Mathews Aug 27th 2009

While Firefox has built-in support for making GMail your default handler of mailto: links, Chrome has not yet implemented such a feature. Strange, really, since it's Google's browser. Then again, it still doesn't have a version of the Google Toolbar.

Fortunately, Chrome does support Userscripts which makes hacking this in to your Chrome setup is no big deal. Over at the Chrome Plugins forums, one user has contributed a simple script [download] that automatically converts mailto: links to the GMail compose mail URL. Remember, Userscripts for Chrome go in your User Data\Default\User Scripts folder.

Further along in the forum, user PAEz contributes a Chrome-friendly .crx [download] extension for ultra-easy installation. Just download the file and click the install button when Chrome asks if you're sure you want to, and you're set. This version also defaults to opening your message in a new tab rather than a separate window.

Remember, depending on your version of Chrome you run and which iteration you decide to use you might need to add a switch to your Chrome shortcut. Right click and choose properties, and append --enable-extensions or --enable-user-scripts after chrome.exe on your shortcut's target.

Tags: chromium, crx, default mail client, DefaultMailClient, extensions, gmail, google chrome, GoogleChrome, mailto, userscripts

Filed under: Security, Web services

Greasemonkey script decodes an impressive list of TinyURLs

by Jay Hathaway Jun 14th 2009

It's trendy to use the latest and greatest URL shortening services in IMs and Twitter postings, but clicking on a TinyURL is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you're gonna get. To avoid any nasty surprises, affiliate links, or other deceptive uses of TinyURLs, you can install a Greasemonkey script called TinyURL Decoder.

Although the name of the script contains "TinyURL," that's not the only service it works with. It can decode dozens of different flavors of shortened links. I'm impressed with the huge number of services this plugin includes, from the very popular (the aforementioned TinyURL) to the obscure (PeaUrl). Installing it should leave you well-situated to know where these sometimes-sketchy links are taking you.

Tags: firefox, greasemonkey, tinyurl, tinyurl-decoder, url-shortener, userscripts

Filed under: Mozilla, Open Source, Browsers

Userscripts.org straps on a (Mozilla) Jetpack

by Lee Mathews May 28th 2009

While it's barely been available to the public for a week, Mozilla's Jetpack project is already starting to take off. The collection of scripts as already grown from two simple demos to more than 20. Clearly developers are excited about the ease and speed with which Jetpack addons can be created.

Why, they're a lot like Userscripts - which may have something to do with a new page on Userscripts.org. In addition to "power-ups" that run in Firefox with Greasemonkey, you can download a growing number of Jetpack customizations from the popular site.

Most of the scripts are fairly basic at this point - a YouTube downloader, GMail checker, etc. - but this early enthusiasm is a good indication that Jetpack is going to be a big hit for Mozilla.

Let's hear it for add-on functionality without bothersome browser restarts!

Tags: jetpack, mozilla-firefox, userscripts

Filed under: Internet, Browsers

NoAddict for Greasemonkey helps curb browsing addictions

by Lee Mathews May 11th 2009

There are some sites that you know you spend too much time on - not DownloadSquad, of course. And certainly not the Time Wasters tag page.

Other places like Facebook, Twitter, and dental hygenist web sites can turn into real time sinks if you're not paying attention. If you need a little outside assistance in breaking free, get your hands on the NoAddict userscript for Greasemonkey.

Adding domains is simple - just clicking in to Greasemonkey's manage scripts window modify the script's source using your favorite text editor. The code is straightforward: // @include https://website.toadd.com/*.

Yes, with a little self control you can accomplish this without the need for any software at all, but sometimes a little shove in the right direction is necessary.

Tags: addiction, greasemonkey, userscripts

Filed under: Internet, Social Software, Browsers

Hate Diggbar? Kill it with a userscript

by Lee Mathews Apr 8th 2009

There have been more than a few gripes about Digg's new iFrame toolbar. They're stealing content. It interferes with SEO. They're selling ads on other people's content.

If you share those gripes and would like to permanently bury the bar, there are already two userscripts available to do just that. Both DiggBar Killer and Anti Diggbar get the job done. While neither actually blocks the bar completely, both scripts will quickly redirect you to the unshortened, original URL of the item you want to view.

They'll get the job done for now, but it's probably safe to assume that some disgruntled coder is already working on a way to bypass the shortened Digg links completely and send you on your way completely Diggbar-free.

If you're a Digg member, you can also turn off the bar when opening links by changing a setting on your viewing preferences (pictured above).

Tags: digg, diggbar, greasemonkey, userscripts

Filed under: Design, Utilities, Troubleshooting

Three ways to hide the Facebook sidebar with userscripts

by Jay Hathaway Mar 30th 2009

If you don't like the new Facebook "Highlights" sidebar, and you've been dying to get rid of "People You May Know," then you should definitely consider installing a userscript that will hide those elements for you. The appropriately-named "Hide Facebook Sidebar" script does the trick quite nicely, while leaving your events and friends' birthdays alone.

There's also "Hide Highlights Sidebar," which hides highlights, but doesn't get rid of the "People You May Know" box. I personally find that particular recommendation feature useless, as it always suggests people I'm intentionally not friends with on Facebook, and there's no way to filter them out. If you like it, though, then you should pick this script instead of Hide Facebook Sidebar.

If you'd rather get rid of both the left and the right sidebars, and expand the main feed to fill the space, you want "New Facebook - Remove Highlights and left filters." It's called New Facebook, but it actually makes the layout look a lot more like the old Facebook. All three of these scripts can be loaded into Greasemonkey (or your browser's equivalent) or Stylish, which is a Greasemonkey-like extension just for reskinning and making cosmetic fixes to websites.

Tags: facebook, highlights, layout, remove facebook sidebar, RemoveFacebookSidebar, userscripts

Filed under: Utilities, E-mail, Productivity, Browsers

Lifehacker's Better Gmail scripts come to Google Chrome

by Jay Hathaway Mar 24th 2009

Since I wrote a post about ten great Firefox userscripts, I've been excited to see how user scripting is progressing for other browsers. Apparently, in the case of Chrome, it's come along far enough that Lifehacker's insanely popular Better Gmail script collection now has a Chrome version. Many Gmail addicts swear by these, so this could make the difference in choosing a browser for some.

So, what's better about Better Gmail? You can hide the stuff you're not using, including chat and the unread spam message count. You get handy visual touches like highlighting a row when you hover over it, and showing icons for attachment types without having to open a message. You can also use labels as folders, sub-folders included. These sound like small improvements, but you'd miss them if you didn't have them. Now users of one more popular browser don't have to worry about that.

Tags: better-gmail, chrome, gmail, google-chrome, lifehacker, userscripts

Filed under: Windows, Google, Beta, Browsers

Google Chrome gets initial support for browser extensions

by Brad Linder Mar 18th 2009

Google Chrome may be one of the fastest web browsers around in terms of launch speeds and page loading. But there's one thing that Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, and other browsers have that Google hasn't had - until now: support for plugins, add-ons, extensions, or whatever else you want to call them.

But now the folks behind Chrome have created a way to wrap JavaScript files that alter the way you interact with web sites into extensions for Chrome.

Right now, extension support is still pretty clunky. You'll need to have Google Chrome 2.0 beta or a recent developer build installed to use extensions. Then you'll have to download and unzip the file to a directory like "c:\myextension" and append the following line to the target properties of your Google Chrome shortcut:

--enable-extensions --load-extension="c:\myextension"

Once that's done, you can use the extension. There's a sample extension available at the bottom of the Google tutorial. Once you've installed it, visit www.google.com to see what it does. You'll probably be quite undewhelmed.

Hopefully we'll see more impressive extensions soon - and an easier way to install and run them,

[via Google Operating System]

Tags: extensions, google-chrome, javascript, userscripts

Filed under: Internet, Text, Blogging, Social Software, web 2.0, Lists

Eight great Userscripts for Twitter users

by Lee Mathews Mar 13th 2009

Not using a desktop Twitter client? Maybe you're quite happy to use the Twitter site to post updates and monitor those you follow. Just because you do doesn't mean you don't have access to more powerful interface options than the bare minimum Twitter provides.

Grab some Userscripts, and use your browser give your Twiter / Home some handy new features! I've gathered eight of my favorites - feel free to share yours in the comments!

Troy's Twitter Script - provides several additional functions, like short URL expansion, inline media viewing, and nested replies. Also adds a search box (for those of us who can't use the real deal just yet), retweet link, and an @mentions link to see who's been talking about you.

Tags: greasemonkey, twitter, userscripts

Graveyard Shift - zombie-busting Time Waster

With Halloween fast approaching, it's a great time to get in some practice defending your territory against zombies. In Graveyard Shift, you take aim at zombies and other creepy-crawlies, blasting them into splatters of cartoony green guts. It's a casual first-person shooter, and it's very easy to get the hang of - use the mouse to aim, click to fire. Graveyard Shift has at least 15 levels, and it might even have some secret stages I haven't unlocked yet. They key to getting good at Graveyard Shift is learning to use ...

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