6 userscripts and userstyles you should really try out

A major plus that enhances the usability of a web browser is the ability to customize web pages to look and behave the way you want them to. This is done by using userscripts, little snippets of javascript code, and userstyles, their CSS counterparts. While userscripts change the way sites behave, userstyles change the way sites look.

In Firefox, userscipts can be used thanks to the powerful Greasemonkey extension. Others browsers, like Opera, come with this enhancement built-in. I already showed a quite good example of a userscript. Userstyles can be used in Firefox with the Stylish extension. Stylish, unlike Greasemonkey, cannot only modify web pages, but it can modify the look of Firefox itself.

Userscripts can also be used out-of-the-box with Opera and with an addon called Creammmonkey on Safari.

1. Pagerization

I know I've mentioned this before, but now that I've been actually using it for a few days, I just have to say, this one HELL of a userscript. It works on an enourmous amount of pages... from Google, to forums, to almost everywhere. It's just so damn useful. My next-button-clicking days are now over!

2. Combine Stop/Reload buttons

This userstyle is great if you want to go minimalistic. When the page is loading, only the stop button is showed. When it finished loading, it only shows the reload button. That's one less toolbar button cluttering your browser!

3. Greased Lightbox

This script enhances image search sites like Google Image Search or Flickr by letting you see the original image in a very Ajax-y and useful way. I can't really explain it very well -- you have to use it to understand it. It's simply amazing. However, after using it for a while, I have to say it can sometimes be a bit intrusive.

4. Folders4Gmail

This script is pretty cool in that it allows you to nest labels in Gmail -- emulating the feeling of 'folders' other mail clients have. I can't believe how I could live without this for so long!

5. GMailTo

Another must-have if you use Gmail. With this, every time you click on a mailto: link it will open a new Gmail compose window instead of the default desktop program (Evolution on Ubuntu or, God forbid, Outlook Express on Windows).

6. Bookmarklet Favicon

If you use bookmarklets as much as I do, you will find this extremely useful as well. It changes the favicon of bookmarklets to a javascript icon to make them easier to distinguish.


What about you? What are your favourite userscripts and userstyles? Which ones can't you live without? Leave a comment telling us!