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Pimp Your Gmail In 2 Easy Steps

on April 4, 2008 in Tech for Life

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 :wink:

New Gmail Login

Gmail re-designed close-up


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. :razz:

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!

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  • http://www.marksierra.com Mark

    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!

    Mark’s last blog post..Recently posted

  • http://www.whoismadhur.com Madhur Kapoor

    This will make me switch to FF

    Madhur Kapoor’s last blog post..Replace your Windows Task Manager with Task Manager Free

  • http://www.ronyasoft.com/products/poster-forge/ Motivational posters

    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?

  • http://samanathon.com Registry Hacks

    This is great! Does it work with the Remember the Milk extension?

    Registry Hacks’s last blog post..Updates Your RSS Feed Address For Samanathon.com & New Link Love For Commentators

  • http://www.shankrila.com K

    Yes, it works great with RTM extension. In fact, it looks fabulous! :razz:

  • http://hackosis.com Shane

    ====================================
    Bandwidth Limit Exceeded
    The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to the site owner reaching his/her bandwidth limit. Please try again later.
    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
    ====================================

    Any idea where else to get the “http://userstyles.org/styles/5867″ script?

    Shane’s last blog post..Shell-Fu: Command Line Goodies

  • http://www.shankrila.com K

    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..

  • hawleyj

    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.

  • Pyotr

    Neat style! Just wish some of the text wasn’t broken.

  • http://www.techsmartly.com/blog Joe Boomer

    This does not work in FF3 Beta 5! Stylish needs to update to the new beta before it works I think.

  • http://www.shankrila.com K

    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! :-)

  • http://www.gottapimp.com Mark

    That is so damn awesome — yet another reason for the world to switch to firefox ;)

  • http://www.gfxpoll.com Eric

    The examples are looking awesome! lets try it!

    Thank you for the great tips!

  • http://www.killertechtips.com/2008/05/01/best-of-april-killer-links-2-and-some-more-news/ Best of April, Killer Links #2 and some more news!

    [...] Pimp your Gmail – Shankrila [...]

  • http://www.sizzledcore.com Haris

    The login page looks so tempting. Will definitely give it a try :)

  • http://www.shankrila.com K

    Once you try it.. you won’t look back. I can’t stand to look at the regular gmail interface anymore. I’m spoiled! :wink:

  • http://www.lautre-monde.fr Olivier@Emploi

    Hopefully, GMail will one day support the delivery notification…

    Oliviers last blog post..Kylie Minogue X Tour

  • http://www.shankrila.com K

    Olivier, that will be a killer addition!

  • http://www.zath.co.uk Zath@Technology Blog

    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.

    Zaths last blog post..Gadgets Too Small For You? – You Need Lady Hands!

  • http://www.sciencebase.com David Bradley

    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

    David Bradleys last blog post..Evolution 2.0

  • http://www.shankrila.com/tech-stuff/top-firefox-extensions/ Top Firefox Extensions – 65+ Best Firefox Add-ons | ShanKri-la

    [...] Stylish scripts. Browse UserStyles.org to find the ones you like. One of the popular example is Re-Designed Gmail Stylish [...]

  • http://art-tattoo-designs.com/arm-band-tattoos/arm-band-tattoos/ ck@arm band tattoo designs

    Wow looks sweet! I’m downloading this and will tell my techie friends. Love the cooler and meaner colors…

  • http://www.deltadebtmanagement.com az@debt management

    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 :)

  • http://www.shankrila.com K

    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.

  • http://www.tonerall.com dave@micr toner

    Wow, didn’t know you could customize gmail…good to know in case i ever get bored with the standard look.

  • http://www.shankrila.com K

    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.

  • http://www.fleurstudio.com/ Alex@American Pin Flags

    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.

  • http://www.techiesouls.com MOin

    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)

    MOins last blog post..Quick Ways Of Getting Instant Blog Traffic

  • http://haiku-poems-blog.blogspot.com/ kouji@haiku poems examples

    wow. that looks really good. :O

    koujis last blog post..haiku poem

  • http://www.traditionalirishgifts.com/ ireland gifts

    Excellent, thank you.

    I love FF, how did we ever get by…

  • http://fununo.info fun info

    It’s pretty damn cool, I’ll try it too. Thanks

    fun infos last blog post..The First Ever Hello Kitty Netbook

  • http://free-compatibility-reports.com kat@Free Compatibility Reports

    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!

  • http://www.tinafountain.com/ ray@Atlanta Real Estate

    Just another reason to use Firefox!

    rays last blog post..Over 8400 Metro Atlanta Foreclosures Set For Auction

  • http://umpcinfo.com/gladioolers/ busby enggar tester

    wow, it’s so nice.
    different with default gmail.
    let me to try it.
    thanks

    busby enggar testers last blog post..Busby’s Country VS SEO Tester’s Country (Australia VS Indonesia)

  • http://www.shankrila.com/tech-stuff/top-15-greasemonkey-scripts-for-gmail-google-reader/ Top Greasemonkey Scripts for GMail & Google Reader | ShanKri-la

    [...] (updated 02/10/09) Gmail 2.0 is here. So, don’t forget to check out the updated Gmail 2.o Greasemonkey Scripts. Also, find out how you can easily pimp your Gmail. [...]

  • http://www.zath.co.uk/google-mail-themes/ Google Mail Themes

    [...] kind of look from the start. There has been some option of customisation offered by people using scripts and extensions in their Firefox browser, however there are now a variety of themes on offer from within Google Mail. All you need to do is [...]

  • http://aggravationgameboard.com Doug @ aggravationgameboard.com

    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.

    aggravation fun game for family and friends