Gmail 2.0 saw some nice design updates but the overall look of Gmail has been the same. But, thanks to a Firefox extension called Stylish, it is possible for a Firefox user to completely overhaul the look of Gmail.
Stylish is a Firefox extension that can load user created scripts that can change the look and feel of any website. Just like Greasemonkey changing the user-interface options via user-created Javascript, Stylish lets you change the look and feel via CSS. There is a huge number of popular Stylish scripts out there. (look at the Related posts section in the bottom for my collection of Greasemonkey scripts for Gmail 2.0, Google Reader, etc.)
Here is how you can pimp your Gmail in 2 easy steps:
Step 1 – Install Stylish Extension:
Grab the Stylish Firefox extension from the newly updated Firefox add-ons website and install it. Restart your browser.
Step 2 – Install Re-designed Gmail Stylish Script
Scroll down in this page until you see a title named ‘Install Options’. Install the script and login to Gmail. Voila!
That’s it. Enjoy the new look.
Why would I want this?
- If you are looking at your monitor all day long, darker themes are supposedly easy on your eyes
- The new look just rocks. Look at the screenshots.
- You can always turn this off with a click and go back to your old ways or even switch back and forth
The script is being constantly updated so check back every few days to load the new version as the bugs are getting squashed. The comments in that page indicate the ‘Remember the Milk’ extension as incompatible but I am using it with no problems. There are many Stylish/Greasemonkey scripts for Gmail but this has to be the best one so far.
Boy, it looks gorgeous. Now, here are some screenshots of my inbox 😉
I have just recently adopted the Inbox Zero methodology coupled with GTDInbox Firefox extension. It really is a lot less stressful to look my Inbox now. 😛
If you are looking to supercharge your Gmail experience, try the Better Gmail 2 Firefox extension put together by Lifehacker. It sports some of the best Greasemonkey scripts and Stylish scripts rolled into a Firefox extension. It includes this awesome Re-designed Gmail script as well.
Have a great weekend!
This is pretty cool! I’ve always wondered why Google won’t do something that would allows users to customize their Gmail. I’m trying this one.
Stumbled!
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This will make me switch to FF
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Great tutorial. It is about time that there is a solution for the plain old gmail interface. You know what else is amusing, that they are still in beta How long are they going to be in beta?
This is great! Does it work with the Remember the Milk extension?
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Yes, it works great with RTM extension. In fact, it looks fabulous! 😛
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Apache/2.2.4 (Unix) mod_ssl/2.2.4 OpenSSL/0.9.7a DAV/2 FrontPage/5.0.2.2635 mod_bwlimited/1.4 PHP/5.2.3 mod_auth_passthrough/1.8 SVN/1.4.4 mod_python/3.3.1 Python/2.4.3 Server at userstyles.org Port 80
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Any idea where else to get the “http://userstyles.org/styles/5867” script?
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Shane.. I tried going here http://userstyles.org/users/6943 and then clicking on the Gmail redesigned link and I was able to get in. Might work for you..
Ok, I did step 1. Went to step 2 and no dice. There IS NO “install options” on this page. Thought maybe I just couldn’t see it but tried “find on page” and by golly, I wasn’t mistaken – THERE IS NONE! So now I have downloaded and installed the Stylish extension but haven’t a freaking clue where to find this script we are supposed to install.
Neat style! Just wish some of the text wasn’t broken.
This does not work in FF3 Beta 5! Stylish needs to update to the new beta before it works I think.
Joe.. that’s true. But, there is a way to make unsupported extensions to work in FF 3 by disabling the extension compatibility check. I have posted before on how to do it.. let me know if you can’t find it here. Cheers! 🙂
That is so damn awesome — yet another reason for the world to switch to firefox 😉
The examples are looking awesome! lets try it!
Thank you for the great tips!
The login page looks so tempting. Will definitely give it a try 🙂
Once you try it.. you won’t look back. I can’t stand to look at the regular gmail interface anymore. I’m spoiled! 😉
Hopefully, GMail will one day support the delivery notification…
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Olivier, that will be a killer addition!
These look like cool additions for GMail users like myself, I’ve also read that Google might be releasing their own themes/skins for their GMail interface.
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Gmail just looks sooooo cool in this theme. Great stuff. Another script you might like is one that gets rid of the Yahoo SERPs redirects so you can see the link direct.
http://www.ghacks.net/2008/05/09/yahoo-redirect-remover/
db
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Wow looks sweet! I’m downloading this and will tell my techie friends. Love the cooler and meaner colors…
I never thought of it could be possible as its google and they still believe in blue hyperlinks. Since Gmail is now the primary Email server for me, and i use to sit at least 12-14 hours daily on desktop, and during this time Gmail is the must.
thats a great resource and your skins are looking elegant, will definitely share it with friends and thanks for making eyes feel better 🙂
az, me too! But, now when I see the blue and white without this skin, it feels so 1999. Enjoy it! 🙂 Have you looked at my recent post on Gmail HTML Signatures? You might find that useful too.
Wow, didn’t know you could customize gmail…good to know in case i ever get bored with the standard look.
Dave, it’s all about pushing the envelope. 🙂 The stock looks get old fast when you are in a webapp all day. Plus, Greasemonkey and Stylish not just change the looks but actually improve the web applications.
Wow, that’s a really good looking gmail. I’m considering doing this. I spend several hours a day on my new computer and the white screen is damn near blinding.
oh this is so beautiful i am gona try this rite now. thanks a lot (i never knew boring looking gmail can be turned into such colorful looks)
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wow. that looks really good. :O
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Excellent, thank you.
I love FF, how did we ever get by…
It’s pretty damn cool, I’ll try it too. Thanks
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funny how i tried this for a few days, and decided to go back to the default scheme because to me it just looks better!
Just another reason to use Firefox!
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wow, it’s so nice.
different with default gmail.
let me to try it.
thanks
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What great information, I love gmail, and would not use anything else. But as you indicate, it is awful boring to look at on the screen, and I have not been at all impressed with the styles offered by Google. I will have to check this out, and get it up an running on my computer today. Thanks so much for this information. I found it very helpful.
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