Google Hacks from frojon

* Trim the fat from Gmail *

 

[Frojon] posted Wtite up Google’s Gmail is a highly viable option for email. With numerous features and options like widgets, a task list,and chat, Gmail has a slight tendency to get overwhelming and might force us to focus on what it is really all email.
What can make Gmail better? For starters, how about no ads they are cluttering and distracting. What about getting rid of the widgets and unnecessary features like labels and chat that we think are supposed to make us more productive but really only make us lose our focus to send, read and reply to email? Nobody knows Zen better than [Leo] at Zen Habits. We weren’t surprised that he and his friends (with Firefox and Greasemonkey) have found a way to trim all the unnecessary elements from Gmail and make it into an email powerhouse that focuses on a basic productive email client. The minimalist inbox for Gmail consists of Greasemonkey scripts for:

• Removing gadgets
• Hiding labels, chat and footer
• Removing ads
• Removing stars
• Getting rid of the Gmail logo and searchbar
• Removing menu navigation bar
• Cleaning up and removing unnecessary buttons

To get started focusing on email, and only email, head on over to ZenHabits for a list of associated scripts and what exactly they can do to help you on your road to the minimalist Gmail.

*  Build your own browser Extensions for Google Chrome * 

 

 [Frojon] posted a writeup on developing extensions for Google Chrome. The extension system utilizes HTML with a JavaScript API which is still sparsely documented. After taking us through his twitter bar extension project, he concludes that the Chrome extensions are not nearly as versatile as what we’re used to seeing with Firefox. That being said, this is a move in the right direction for the young browser.

Create a temporary phone number with inumber

Maybe you don't want that one person that has barged in to your life to know your private phone number?Could be a salesperson or a co-worker who you aren't that impressed with,but have to get in contact with.check out inumbr.

inumbr is a free online service that gives us user the ability to set up a unique phone number,have it forwarded to any number within the Us and then have it set to expire without a trace when finished with it.The unique inumbr's are never reused,and can be extended it longer terms are required.Users choose from a list of 22 area codes from major US cities like Chicago,Los Angeles and New York, select an expiry date set a number that it should be forwarded to.When the term is up,the number is expired from the system,and never used again for any other user.If you wish to use the number at a later date,you can log into the inumbr system and reactivate it.

As we are becoming more and more mobile security conscious,the desire for these types of services grows.A phone number can now be given out at will,with security and privacy remaining intact. Google voice is major player in this arena.Inumbr makes this process simpler with the ability to cut off and reactivated numbers as desired.