Gmail Tips & Tricks (25-29)

25. Better Gmail 2 with all-in-one Greasemonkey script

For a one-size-fits-all solution that combines several Greasemonkey scripts into one package, check out Better Gmail 2, which combines dozens of Greasemonkey scripts into one package. Allow HTML use in signatures, force a secure connection, convert labels into folders and make the spam folder invisible. There’s also a Better Gmail 2 extension for those using Firefox 3 beta. Cnet strongly recommends the extension in their review.

26. Create a podcast of your Gmail

Without an iPhone or Blackberry, the morning subway ride can get pretty boring. And you can’t navigate a smartphone while driving—or at least, you shouldn’t. Create an RSS feed from your Gmail account with this syntax:
https://username:password@gmail.google.com/gmail/feed/atom
Then sign for a FeedBurner account to host and distribute it. Use a RSS to podcast site like AudioDizer.com or one of the many options at NextUp to create text-to-speech files. Voila! This hack is based on a tip from Mike Donaghy. For even more, check out these podcast resources.

27. Force mailto: to open with Gmail

The annoyance of prompts from Outlook or Apple Mail with every mailto: link you click can be ended. This Greasemonkey script forces mailto: scripts to open Gmail. (Note: it’s unclear whether this script is compliant with the newest version of Gmail.)

28. Emulate a mail client

For those who can’t decide between a full-fledged mail client and browser-based Gmail, SimpleMail straddles the divide with a three-paned mail view. Mac users should note Adam Pash at Lifehacker warns that he had trouble getting IMAP to work with Firefox 3 on the Mac, but he doesn’t mention testing it with Firefox 2.0.0.12.

29. Sort mail with the Trusted Trio

Gina Trapani at Lifehacker suggests sorting your Gmail according to the Trusted Trio system—Follow Up, Hold and Archive. To keep the Inbox clear, sort all messages into one of these three categories. Since Gmail has an archive function built-in, Trapani suggests merely creating two labels—Follow Up and Hold; if desired, add numbers to get the two folders to display in the order you’d like. Check out the full explanation of the Trusted Trio system.