CNET Editors' note: The Download Now link will prompt a local download of the Firefox extension. To install the extension directly, open the file using your Firefox browser.
CNET Editors' review
For Gmail aficionados, one must-have Firefox add-on is the Better Gmail extension from Lifehacker editor Gina Trapani. It's basically a collection of her favorite Greasemonkey scripts, nicely packaged for all of us too lazy to install Greasemonkey and all of the individual scripts separately.
The list of what it does is long, so we'll try to summarize. It integrates Google Reader into the Gmail interface. It converts the attachment paper clip to an appropriate icon. It gives you a conversation preview window, a search-by-date option, a filter creation assistant, and label colors. It provides several skins (although we liked Google's original layout the best) and it lets you save search strings. It contains an attachment reminder.
It does not do your dishes.
You can easily turn on or off a feature through the preferences window, which brings us to one of the drawbacks of the add-on: it can only be accessed through Firefox's extension management window. More specific information and instructions are available at the Lifehacker site, and are essential for knowing how to use some of the features, like label colors. Despite these quibbles, we loved this extension and found it extremely helpful.
Publisher's Description
From Gina Trapani:
This Firefox extension features several Greasemonkey scripts that enhance Gmail, such as adding saved searches, attachment icons, label colors, keyboard macros, a filter assistant, and right-click conversation previews in one handy Firefox extension.
Better Gmail is a compilation of work done by several Greasemonkey scripters, including Mihai Parparita, Ming (Amos) Zhang, norcimo and Moktoipas. The scripts were compiled using Anthony Lieuallen's Greasemonkey Compiler.
Version 1.0.1 fixes a Folders4Gmail bug and an email address iframe bug.
What's new in this version: Version 1.0.1 fixes the Folders4Gmail bug and e-mail address iframe bug.
More Popular Firefox Add-ons & Plugins downloads
- PDF Download
12,148 downloads
- Google Toolbar for Firefox
2,371 downloads
- TimeLine Remove
2,205 downloads
- Firefox Video Download Helper
1,784 downloads
- Adblock Plus for Mozilla Firefox
1,301 downloads
-
All versions:
3.6 starsout of 51 votes
-
Current version:
3.8 starsout of 15 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
-
"Did what it said it would."
Version: Better Gmail 1.0.1
Pros
Improved the appearance of GMAIL.
Very attractiveCons
n/a.....................
Summary
I like this...I only use gmail when I have to communicate w/my professors/other university persons but the program does what it says it will....which is improve the appearance of gmail.
-
"Excellent email. Fast and Secured."
Version: Better Gmail 1.0.1
Pros
Being fast and secure
-
"Doesnt Work With Gmail 2"
Version: Better Gmail 1.0.1
Pros
made the interface pretty good.. added some nice functions in it..
Cons
Doesnt worked with new gmail... i had to go back to the older version of gmail to use it...
-
"Added too much overhead and bogged down my browser(s)"
Version: Better Gmail 1.0.1
Pros
Nothing
Cons
Nothing worked as advertised. The explorer folder setup for labels didn't work. The skins were lame (That is the main reason I downloaded the software). A slim trim gmail was turned into a bloated memory hog that slowed down my mail reading. In summary it was the opposite of it's description.
-
"i didn't download it..."
Version: Better Gmail 1.0.1
Pros
but...maybe i do.
i have Gmail,as well.
i just don't know the application...yet.
-
"Very good, I like it !"
Version: Better Gmail 1.0.1
Pros
Sims like everything work excellent...
Cons
More skins,please !
-
"Simple"
Version: Better Gmail 1.0.1
Pros
Up-grader for me
Cons
N/A
-
"great software. it just improved the look of gmail"
Version: Better Gmail 1.0.1
Cons
no problems with better gmail
-
"i'm still evaluating it"
Version: Better Gmail 1.0.1
Pros
integrate google features
Cons
a bit confuse to configure
-
"GMail is so much better with this, especially if you used GReader and Cal`"
Version: Better Gmail 1.0.1
Pros
Heya, Lifehacker. Very nice job on the add-on. Keep up the good work :).
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
See more CNET content tagged:
Previous Versions:
