Gmail Craze: 40 + Tools and Hacks for Gmail

All for Gmail: handy Firefox extensions, best Greasemonkey scripts, some desktop tools and lots of useful tips. Take this Gmail thingie to another level. Enjoy ;-)

FIREFOX EXTENSIONS

Gspace - multi-platform firefox addon that turns your gmail account into powerful online storage tool

Gmail Search Extension - search your gmail account directly from the firefox search bar

GcalQuickTab - toggle between gmail and google calendar with keyboard shortcuts

GTDInbox - turns your account into flexible and feature-loaded ToDo-management service (GTD = Getting Things Done)

GMail Manager - manage multiple GMail accounts right from your browser

DragDropUpload - this handy extension lets you quickly attach one or more files to your emails by dragging them over the “Attach a file” link

[update] CustomizeGoogle - removes ads, switches you from http to https, hides the spam counter, quick contacts box, invite box and forces fixed font

[update] Better Gmail - integrates bunch of cool features, i.e. attachment icons, attachment Reminder, mail preview, filter assistant, label colors, macros, and saved searches

[update] GmailSkinz - powerful firefox addon with lots of cool features: (Note: some users reported having problems with this addon)

  • change the colour of your inbox(from green to dark green),
  • view weather, google calendar and news headlines along side your emails,
  • integrate any Google IG module to sidebar menu(Awesome),
  • insert images from your Picasa web album in to emails,
  • insert smileys,
  • change the attachment paperclip to an icon indicating the type of attachment,
  • make the navigation (Inbox, Starred, Sent Mail, etc) horizontal,
  • hide various page elements (invite panel, page footer and your email address from the top right of inbox).
  • complete integration with Gmail: addon settings can be changed directly from the Gmail settings page.

Google Toolbar with Gmail search - Official Google toolbar featuring one-click Gmail search

E-Mail Notifier Toolbar | Gmail Notifier - as titles say ‘…notifier

_

GREASEMONKEY SCRIPTS (What is Greaseamonkey?)

Gmail Super Clean - clean and distraction-free gmail. Looks great, check it out here

Gmail Spam-count Hide - hides spam count link

GMail Attachment Icons - adds attachment icons to emails, letting you see what kind of attachment an email has (HTML,JPG, PDF….) [update: 'Attachment icons' isn't a standard greasemonkey script, it's an addon for a similar Firefox extension known as Stylish. However, installing it on greasemonkey should be fine as well]

Google Reader Integration - integrates Google Reader into Gmail. Highly Recommended (demo)

GmailTo - forces all ‘mailto’ links to open in GMail

Saved Searches - lets you create ’saved searches’(aka smart folders) and display them in the separate box in the navigation menu. Clicking on a search executes the saved query. Demo

Conversation Preview - handy addon that lets you quickly preview message contents right from the main inbox window. See demo below

Google Calendar Integration - integrates Google Calendar agenda into Gmail. Demo

Label Colors - lets you color menu labels to make them stand out better. Demo

Gmail Macros - adds extra keyboard shortcuts to Gmail (i.e. “t” for move to trash, “r” for mark as read, “p” for mark as read and add to archive…etc). Read more

[update] SSLGoogle - force google mail, docs and cal pages and their intra-links to a secure connection(HTTPS)

[update] Gmail Encrypt - encrypts outgoing emails

[update] Gmail Date Search - adds a Search by Date button to Gmail’s search form

[update] Gmail Signature Float - moves your mail signature to the top of the message rather than the bottom

Following image displays all above mentioned scripts in action(click to enlarge and open it in a new windows)
gmail greasemonkey scripts

_

Desktop APPS and Web TOOLS:

GmailDrive (Windows) - adds a new virtual drive(’Gmail Drive’) to My Computer folder and uses gmail as its storage medium. Drag’n drop files Gmail Drive and it will store them on your gmail account as if on additional hard drive. More on GmailDrive

[update] gDisk (Mac) - similar to above mentioned GmailDrive but for Mac users

Gmail ToDo - handy desktop application that stores entered todo’s in a todo label on gmail

Desktop Notifiers: GMail Notifier(official release from Google), GTray (Win XP), GCount (Mac), Gmail+Growl 2.0 (GmailNotifier addon that lets you further customize ‘new mail’ alerts)

GMail for Mobile - access gmail from your mobile

GmailFS - mountable Linux filesystem which uses Gmail as its storage medium

Google Talk - Google’s IM service which is fully integrable with GMail

You’ve Got Gmail - Gmail plugin for Trillian IM client

Update: more notifiers: KCheckGmail(Linux), Notifier2(Win)
_

TIPS and HACKS

Unbl0ck - use this tool to access gmail from places where it’s blocked (work, school…)

Gmail icon generator - creates an image of your email address to minimize spam exposure

Gmail To Thunderbird - how to access your Gmail using Mozilla Thunderbird

Shortcut List - handy, printable list of keyboard shortcuts for the Gmail

Hotmail Contacts Import - explains how to import contacts from Hotmail to Gmail

Gmail trick that explains how to find that ’someone’ who gives away your email address to spammers

Attach any file type - bunch of tricks showing you how to attach and send blocked file types, i.e. ‘*.exe’

JimsTips - huge collection of basic gmail tips

[update] What to do if your Gmail is nearly full? See here.

[update] Secret keyboard shortcut for deleting messages. Check it out here

[update] How to - import your archived emails into Gmail

[update] How to - Backup Gmail your Gmail using Google Groups

[update] How to - Re download gmail messages into outlook

[update] How to - Work with Gmail Attachments (includes cool tips, Greasemonkey scripts and Firefox addons)

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    183 Comments Leave a Comment

    2007-03-18 10:18:07

    [...] Gmail Craze: 30 + Tools to Make your Gmail Better (tags: Gmail Tools useful) [...]

     
    2007-03-20 17:47:54

    [...] Gmail Craze: 30 + Tools and Hacks for Gmail  @ MakeUseOf.com Tags: Gmail, hacks Filed under: asides   |   Tags: Gmail, hacks. [...]

     
    2007-03-21 18:31:51

    [...] Gmail Craze: 30 + Tools and Hacks for Gmail » MakeUseOf.com (tags: gmail) Posted in Uncategorized | [...]

     
    2007-03-21 21:59:01

    [...] Gmail Craze: 30 + Tools and Hacks for Gmail » MakeUseOf.com (tags: gmail) Posted in Uncategorized | [...]

     
    2007-03-22 01:27:50

    [...] Gmail Craze: 30 + Tools and Hacks for Gmail Gmail Craze: 30 + Tools and Hacks for Gmail All for Gmail: handy Firefox extensions, best Greasemonkey scripts, some desktop tools and lots of useful tips. Take this Gmail thingie to another level. Enjoy[technology] [software] [tips] [news] [...]

     
    2007-03-22 02:11:29

    [...] read more | digg story [...]

     
    Comment by Windows Vista
    2007-03-22 02:15:44

    Nice list, using dots in the address is a nice trick also!
    -
    http://www.WindowsVistaUserGuide.com

     
    2007-03-22 02:17:07

    [...] read more | digg story [...]

     
    2007-03-22 02:50:51

    [...] Gmail Craze: 30 + Tools and Hacks for Gmail Filed under: Uncategorized — recar @ 2:48 am Gmail Craze: 30 + Tools and Hacks for Gmail All for Gmail: handy Firefox extensions, best Greasemonkey scripts, some desktop tools and lots of useful tips. Take this Gmail thingie to another level. Enjoy[technology] [news] [tips] [software] [...]

     
    Comment by Rodnei Z
    2007-03-22 02:55:24

    There’s a KDE (Linux) notifier called KCheckGmail http://kcheckgmail.sourceforge.net/

     
    Pingback by Cartoons Fans Lounge
    2007-03-22 02:58:02

    [...] 4read more | digg story No Comments so far Leave a comment RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI Leave a comment Line and paragraph breaks automatic, e-mail address never displayed, HTMLallowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong> [...]

     
    2007-03-22 03:20:13

    [...] All for Gmail: handy Firefox extensions, best Greasemonkey scripts, some desktop tools and lots of useful tips. Take this Gmail thingie to another level. Enjoyread more | digg story [...]

     
    Comment by janena
    2007-03-22 03:32:28

    put notifier2 as one of the better desktop notifiers too. http://www.notifier2.com

     
    2007-03-22 03:34:55

    Gmail Craze: 30 Tools and Hacks for Gmail…

     
    Comment by Hip Hop
    2007-03-22 03:40:10

    Thanks I’m using the Gmail Icon Generator now =)

     
    Comment by shree
    2007-03-22 03:43:09

    AWESOME! You’ve been added to my blogroll!

     
    2007-03-22 03:58:14

    [...] read more | digg story [...]

     
    Comment by arun
    2007-03-22 03:59:19

    You can add this to your gmail hack list:

    This explains a neat trick if your gmail is getting full !!

    http://bnura.blogspot.com/2006/09/what-to-do-if-my-gmail-gets-full.html

     
    Comment by Kaly
    2007-03-22 04:14:02

    arun@
    Thanks. Nice tip. It has been added.

     
    Comment by Kaly
    2007-03-22 04:31:07

    Rodnei Z@
    Thanks. It is on the list.

     
    Comment by Kia
    2007-03-22 07:39:43

    You forgot the CustomizeGoogle Firefox extension.

     
    Trackback by meneame.net
    2007-03-22 08:08:46

    30 herramientas y hacks imprescindibles para GMail…

    A través de del.icio.us encuentro este sitio donde se describen 30 de las herramientas más útiles para GMail….

     
    Comment by Kaly
    2007-03-22 08:30:54

    @janeena
    thanks, it’s on the list now
    @shree:
    that’s cool, right choice :-)
    @kia
    CustomizeGoogle is a handy extension however it’s aimed at improving Google and there is nothing extra for Gmail. Thanks for the tip anyways, I think it will be a nice tip for the upcoming ‘makeuseof extra’

     
    2007-03-22 08:55:50

    [...] xmen mp3 All for Gmail: handy Firefox extensions, best Greasemonkey scripts, some desktop tools and lots of useful tips. Take this Gmail thingie to another level. Enjoy xmen comicsread more | digg story [...]

     
    Comment by dork
    2007-03-22 09:19:21

    You’ve missed the only extension worth having: customizeGoogle, that does everything the greasemonky scripts do already.

    Very poor list!

     
    Comment by Ivan Minic
    2007-03-22 09:38:40

    Brilliant collection of tools. Some I did know about, but not all :) thanks

     
    Comment by kosmosik
    2007-03-22 10:02:05

    I think you should check this out:
    http://gcaldaemon.sourceforge.net/index.html

    GCALDaemon is an OS-independent Java program that offers two-way synchronization between Google Calendar and various iCalalendar compatible calendar applications. GCALDaemon is primarily designed as a calendar synchronizer but it can also be used as a Gmail notifier, Address Book importer, Gmail terminal and RSS feed converter.

     
    2007-03-22 10:27:44

    [...] Gmail Craze: 30 + Tools and Hacks for Gmail » MakeUseOf.com [...]

     
    2007-03-22 11:24:54

    [...] Gmail Craze: 30 + Tools and Hacks for Gmail (tags: extensions freeware gmail plugins) [...]

     
    Trackback by IndianPad
    2007-03-22 11:31:27

    30+ Tools and Hacks for Gmail…

    30+ Tools and Hacks for Gmail posted at IndianPad.com…

     
    2007-03-22 13:07:26

    [...] read more [...]

     
    Comment by jambarama
    2007-03-22 13:59:03

    The “search gmail from firefox” site you linked to (tip number 2) doesn’t have a working link. It is on mycroft now, try here . Good post.

     
    2007-03-22 14:22:36

    [...] makeuseof.com recopila más de 30 diferentes utilidades para sacarle mayor provecho a Gmail. [...]

     
    2007-03-22 15:40:41

    [...] I artiklen Gmail Craze: 30 + Tools and Hacks for Gmail på makeuseof.com finner du diverse tips, Greasemonkey-script, Firefox-tillägg och program för att öka funktionaliteten i Gmail, Googles webbaserade e-posttjänst. [...]

     
    2007-03-22 17:10:10

    [...] All for Gmail: handy Firefox extensions, best Greasemonkey scripts, some desktop tools and lots of useful tips. Take this Gmail thingie to another level. Enjoyread more | digg story [...]

     
    2007-03-22 17:12:39

    [...] read more | digg story [...]

     
    2007-03-22 21:00:45

    [...] Esta es sólo una pequeña probadita de todo lo que puedes encontrar en este sitio con más de 30 herramientas, tips y hacks para tu cuenta de GMail. [...]

     
    2007-03-22 21:38:19

    [...] Google araçlarına daha iyi kullanmak için eklentilerin en iyi 30 tanesi . Link [...]

     
    Comment by Rado
    2007-03-22 21:53:52

    Very nice list, thanks a lot!

     
    2007-03-22 22:20:16

    [...] Gmail Craze: 30 + Tools and Hacks for Gmail » MakeUseOf.com Top Gmail tips, tricks hacks and add-ons (tags: gmail firefox) [...]

     
    Comment by Aibek
    2007-03-22 22:39:44

    @kosmosik
    thanks for the link

    @jambarama
    I checked tip2 once again, it’s correct first link is dead however author provides second one which seem to work fine. ;-)

     
    2007-03-22 23:20:49

    [...] Recent Bookmarks - del.icio.us/silus LA Weekly - General - Heaven’s Gate: The Sequel - Joshuah Bearman - The Essential Online Resource for Los Angeles 03/22/2007 12:32 PM Top 20 Best Places to Visit in Second Life - Update « Second Life Guides 03/22/2007 12:18 PM Gmail Craze: 30 + Tools and Hacks for Gmail » MakeUseOf.com 03/22/2007 10:15 AM Start-up demos quantum computer | CNET News.com 03/21/2007 04:55 PM Top 10 custom JavaScript functions of all time 03/20/2007 08:16 PM Recent Myspace xx4L0Mxx : Alright m8….? I think i may have driven past you the other day….. Do you own the world’s smallest bicycle ? 03/22/2007 08:11 AM Zara : hey, have you heard if we are doing anything Sunday re. mothers day?? I fancy going out, but best not if we have any family thing planned… anyway hope your good bro x 03/13/2007 08:15 AM Extricated : still no sign of the rock… do you have a pic of the one over there? 02/19/2007 10:37 AM [...]

     
    2007-03-22 23:26:48

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    2007-03-22 23:38:03

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    Pingback by All in a days work…
    2007-03-23 01:42:17

    [...] 30 + Tools and Hacks for Gmail (tags: GMail) [...]

     
    2007-03-23 02:34:31

    [...] Make Use Of has posted 30+ Tools and Hacks for GMail, which gives a more up to date look at what “accessories” are currently available, and all of which are free! Related Entries: GMail Finally Leaves Beta?Turn GMail Into Your Nerve CenterDownload GMail to Outlook via POP3 and Exclude Sent ItemsGMail Tips and HacksGoogle Wants Your SuggestionsComparison: GMail, Yahoo! Mail, and Windows Live Mail [...]

     
    2007-03-23 02:42:05

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    [...] read more | digg story [...]

     
    2007-03-23 03:23:50

    [...] Gmail Craze: 30 + Tools and Hacks for Gmail » MakeUseOf.com (tags: gmail firefox extension greasemonkey lifehacks) [...]

     
    2007-03-23 05:36:34

    [...] March 23rd, 2007 at 1:36 pm (productivity, gmail) Gmail Craze: 30 + Tools and Hacks for Gmail » MakeUseOf.com [...]

     
    2007-03-23 06:17:45

    [...] Gmail Craze: 30 + Tools and Hacks for Gmail (tags: gmail) [...]

     
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    [...] de este post    A del.icio.us     A menéame     AFresqui [...]

     
    2007-03-23 10:17:11

    [...] 30+ Tools and Hacks for Gmail If Gmail is your email app of choice, you might want to check out Gmail Craze: 30 Tools and Hacks for Gmail, including Firefox add-ons, Greasemonkey scripts, desktop apps and web tools. [...]

     
    2007-03-23 11:03:17

    [...] Gmail Craze: 30 + Tools and Hacks for Gmail » MakeUseOf.com (tags: gmail google firefox tips tools email greasemonkey) [...]

     
    2007-03-23 15:20:44

    [...] Gmail Craze: 30 Tools and Hacks for Gmail - MakeUseOf.com [...]

     
    2007-03-23 15:22:08

    [...] Gmail Craze: 30 + Tools and Hacks for Gmail » MakeUseOf.com (tags: gmail greasemonkey tools Firefox) Condividi [...]

     
    2007-03-23 15:30:26

    [...] ……Источник: [...]

     
    2007-03-23 19:59:17

    [...] read more | digg story [...]

     
    2007-03-23 20:33:55

    [...] All for Gmail: handy Firefox extensions, best Greasemonkey scripts, some desktop tools and lots of useful tips. Take this Gmail thingie to another level. Continue….  [...]

     
    2007-03-24 02:40:51

    [...] Algo que sempre me parece uma perda de tempo enorme é quando na hora de enviar algum arquivo pelo Gmail (ou outro webmail) não tem como arrastar o arquivo para a mensagem. Bem, não tinha. O Bruno me enviou um link com 30 dicas ótimas para o Gmail, mas de longe a que mais me impressionou foi a extensão para o Firefox dragdropupload [...]

     
    Comment by ThisisKsprayDad
    2007-03-24 13:16:08

    Customize Google.

    Although general in nature it does do things in GMAIL.

    First and foremost it strips out the ads.

    Also:

    Switches you to https
    Hides the spam counter
    Hides the quick contacts box
    hides the invite box
    Forces fixed font

    All of this is user selectable and doesn’t require Greasemonkey.

    It definately deserves to be on the list.

     
    2007-03-24 14:12:40

    [...] Tools and hacks for gmail [...]

     
    2007-03-24 14:32:31

    [...] 30 great GMail tricks Via LifeHacker; some old standards, but some cool new stuff too:30 + Tools and Hacks for Gmail Published in: [...]

     
    2007-03-24 14:35:49

    [...] clipped from http://www.makeuseof.com [...]

     
    2007-03-24 15:57:16

    [...] Well, I was browsing digg this morning in school and came across this article, but since I was still in class, there wasn’t much I could do with ten minutes left in the period. The first and - in my opinion - best featured item in the article is the Gspace feature which completely blew my mind. It is basically a way to utilize all of your Gmail space with things other than countless emails. [...]

     
    2007-03-24 16:11:38

    [...] มีของฝากสาวก Gmail อีกแล้ว โดยคราวนี้เป็นการรวบรวม Firefox Add-ons, greasemonkey scripts, Desktop&Web tools และเทคนิคการใช้งานต่างๆ กว่า 30 อย่างของเว็บ makeuseof.com ถ้าสนใจก็เข้าไปดูได้ที่นี่ครับ Gmail Craze: 30 + Tools and Hacks for Gmail [...]

     
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    Trackback by domelhor.net
    2007-03-24 17:20:34

    30 Ferramentas para o gmail…

    Apresentao sumria de 30 ferramentas para tornar mais til/fcil a utilizao do gmail….

     
    Comment by Brad
    2007-03-24 17:52:08

    You forgot to include the firefox extension GMail Skins.
    http://gmailskins.mozdev.org/

    This ONE extension can be used in place of several of the ones listed above.

    Features Include:
    * Change the colour of your inbox - Choose colours from green to dark green!
    * View weather, google calendar and news headlines along side your emails - Any Google IG module can be added.
    * Insert images from your Picasa web album in to your emails - Google lets you send emails from Picasa, but not send photos from Gmail.
    * Insert smileys, images, tables and html in to your emails
    * Change the attachment paperclip to an icon indicating the type of attachment - The attaThe attachment icon reflects the filetype of the attachment.chment icon reflects the filetype of the attachment.
    * Complete integration with Gmail - Settings are changed from the Gmail settings page and they are stored on your account in a special Gmail label meaning your settings are persistent from computer to computer.
    * Make the navigation (Inbox, Starred, Sent Mail, etc) horizontal
    * Fix the navigation in place so that you don’t have to scroll to the top of the page to see it
    * Zebra stripes on mailbox - pretty!
    * Hide various page elements (invite panel, page footer, your email address from the top right of inbox - may be useful for public computers)

     
    2007-03-24 18:06:08

    [...] Some great tips by Kaly that had I no idea about. I installed a few of the scripts even. [...]

     
    Comment by Aibek
    2007-03-24 18:25:21

    @ThisisKsprayDad
    thanks, I am surprised we missed CustomizeGoogle. It’s on the list now

     
    2007-03-24 18:53:14

    [...] Comparte este post: email it! | bookmark it! | digg it! | reddit! | kick it! | live it! Posted: Saturday, March 24, 2007 11:53 AM por cesarfong Archivado en:AJAX [...]

     
    2007-03-24 18:55:50

    [...] Make use of bjuder på 30 nyttiga tips och tricks för Gmail. Via WebbNytt. [...]

     
    Comment by Aibek
    2007-03-24 18:56:07

    @Brad
    added

     
     
    2007-03-24 20:32:45

    [...] makeuseof.com brings us Gmail tips and tools that range from the “why bother” to the “gotta’ have it.”  They include Firefox Add-ons, Greasemonkey scripts, and desktop apps and web tools of various kinds.  [via Lifehacker] [...]

     
    Comment by BBalljunky
    2007-03-24 21:10:29

    Awesome tips!!!

     
    2007-03-24 23:55:19

    [...] I admit that I haven’t put Gmail to work as much as I really could, so this is a good way for me (and anyone else who’s looking for some Gmail love) to get up to superhero productivity speed quickly. Well, at least for Gmail, anyway. See anything that should be on this list and isn’t? Let us know in the comments. — Wendy Boswell 30 + Tools and Hacks for Gmail [MakeUseOf.com via .etc] [...]

     
    2007-03-25 00:17:59

    [...] Awesome gmail tools page. [...]

     
    2007-03-25 00:22:45