Java Jane's Good Stuff

Good Stuff: Better, Cleaner Email & RSS with Firefox Extensions

nobody@vox.com(Java Jane) — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 09:03:00 -0400

My style has changed over the years. I used to be a pack rat. I still like my stuff, but I'm aggressive about weeding out now, and if I keep something, it's in functional storage. While my overall style still could be classified as somewhat eclectic, I've become an ever increasing fan of clean, minimalist design. IKEA type style. Swedish country home. Danish design. Modern masters. Form, function. strong lines, little bling and no clutter, easy maintenance. I still love Crate and Barrel or Martha Stewart furniture, but pared down. Soothing color palettes. What does this have to do with gtd, the internet, or better emailing and rss subscription reading? In as much as I like clean, soothing, minimalist functionality in my "real" surroundings, so I too gravitate toward that in the online world as well, leading me to today's recommended Firefox add ons.

I absolutely LOVE the updated Gmail Super Clean Greasemonkey extension for Firefox. It's gorgeous and highly functional. Along with that Greasemonkey extension, I have included several others that integrate with Gmail (and other services) and Google Reader "like butta". These extensions only work with the Firefox browser (I assume you are using Firefox if you are reading this) with the Greasemonkey extension installed, except for Greased Lightbox which also works with Opera. If you don't have Greasemonkey yet, the link is included below.

Greasemonkey for Firefox - allows for 3rd party scripts to be installed for increased browser functionality and site mods.
Gmail Super Clean - Clean, minimalist script that makes Gmail so much nicer to look at, plus interface tweaks.
text area backup - stop losing your typed text when your browser crashes, auto backs up your work, no more frustration!
Gmail + reader integrator - adds a "feeds" tab on the left of Gmail that allow you to access all of your feeds without having to open up a new tab.
Greased Lightbox - enhances browsing on websites that link to images such as Google Image Search, Flickr, Wikipedia, Facebook, MySpace, and deviantART by opening up an overlay to view the full sized image.
Secure-em-All - Secure the Connection on: Excite, Yahoo, Gmail, Microsoft Passport. (Add any site to the Included pages list for it to be automatically switch to secure mode as well).

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Share2Me Firefox Extension - Share Anything to Anyone, Anywhere

nobody@vox.com(Java Jane) — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 22:15:34 -0400

I'm going to intstall this tonight. It's in Beta form right now, but looks really cool. You can share anything on the web to your contacts email, IM, MySpace or FaceBook and you can post to your MySpace as well. Although I'm not a big IM user and I have other extensions that can send things to people via email, this definitely is worth a spin and a blog review down the road.

clipped from share2me.com

share anything. to anyone. anywhere.

You get one master sharelist that lets you reach friends on any:

> Instant Messenger

> Email Account

> MySpace Page

> FaceBook Wall (coming soon!)

and more...

See how share2me makes sharing fast and easy.

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Are you a Twit if You Twitter?

nobody@vox.com(Java Jane) — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 14:45:37 -0400

Somebody explain it to me, 'coz I don't get it. What the heck is the deal with micro blogging? Does anyone here at Vox "Twitter"? If you do, you need to let me in on the secret. I mean do I really want to know you are drinking apple juice, answering your email, watching Deal or No Deal, scammin' someone, about to hook up or relieving yourself? Have we removed ourselves via electronic gadgets from everyday interaction with people that we have to let the whole world, complete strangers know our every move in order to feel connected? No wonder why I love the European lifestyle, where people actually socialize face to face over meals, drinks or what have you and they have a month off for vacation, instead of being a slave to the grind. Anyway, I'm stunned and amazed. So if you Twitter, are you a "twit", or am I just too old to "get it"?

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