Integrate Google Reader into your Gmail
Posted by Jon Lee in Efficiency, tags: Efficiency, firefox, gmail, google, google-reader, greasemonkey
The two pages I visit most often are Google Reader and GMail. Everyone knows what GMail is, but some may not have heard of Google Reader. Basically, it is a RSS reader much like Firefox Live Bookmarks but in the form of a webpage that gives the added benefit of allowing you to read your feeds from any computer with internet access.
Google Reader is still currently a work in progress as part of Google Labs and you will notice new features roll out once in a while. For example a few days ago, text links became nicer looking buttons and a new “Refresh” button was added.
Now as you know, I’m all about saving keystrokes/mouse clicks. So in order to save one click (and one open tab) per day, I’m using a Greasemonkey script to tack Google Reader onto Gmail. Check out the screenshot to the right.
Step 1 – Install Greasemonkey Add-on
Greasemonkey is a Firefox add-on that can run javascript scripts on specified webpages, thereby changing or increasing functionality. Check out other Greasemonkey scripts.
Step 2 – Install GMail + Reader Integrator
Click the install button in the top right and you will install the Greasemonkey script. You may need to enable it by right clicking the monkey icon in your status bar and manually enabling the script.
Step 3 – Go to GMail
Check to make sure Google Reader is indeed now embedded under your mailbox. It helps to keep your inbox clean as to not take up too much screen estate. It should look like the screenshot above.
This script lets you expand/collapse both the gmail and Google Reader panel with added links on the sidebar. Enjoy!
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