I agree that Brent's version of the script adds features that I love and it would be great to have it in the extension, even if only for the auto-update.

leland_sabon

Thanks for starting work on Better Gmail 2. I'm looking forward to future improvements. I never realized how much I appreciated Better Gmail until I have to look at the Gmail spam count every time I go to my email. Google has gotten a lot of things right, but all of you at Lifehacker.com really add the finishing touches with this extension.

Robert G. Leslie

@Gina Trapani, Lifehacker Editor: Indeed it is! I just know Microsoft wouldn't bother noticing people who write scripts for Hotmail (or whatever else they have... Who's Microsoft again? :P ).

@Paul: B-b-b-big annoyance, not being able to automatically put a link in my sig. I wish it were there, too. I've posted a note on the script's page letting the author know how eagerly we're anticipating an update... He says he's working on one.

Now for the extension itself. Gina, would it be possible for you to include, in the next release, two different Macros versions? Brent Nef has released most of his old mods on the GMail Power Users Google group. I have a slightly modified copy (of his version) which fixes a bug or two, also.

voyagerfan5761

@KletosSumboulos: Aww, thanks for your kind words. But you should know that Google DID give me a heads up, and I've been spending all this time trying round up script developers and nudge them into updates. Once Mihai did Macros, I knew I had enough functionality for a new release. (I've also got this little book project that held me up a bit.)

So, kudos to Google, not only for making Gmail a LOT more scriptable by independent developers (there's an API specifically for Greasemonkey, yay!) but for contacting us blogging/Javascripting scrubs and helping us get updates out to users.

It's a pretty incredible feeling to have a huge company recognize individual work on a product.

Gina Trapani, Lifehacker Editor

Gina,
It's too bad the folks at Google didn't give you a heads up so that you wouldn't feel like you still needed to be working this evening. Thanks for your work on this (among a great many other things).

KletosSumboulos

It's true: Better Gmail 2 is pretty anemic compared to Better Gmail. The good news is you can use the original by reverting to Gmail's older version, and user scripters will update their work and I'll update the extension in the coming weeks/months.

Gina Trapani, Lifehacker Editor

doh, no html signature nor signature float =|

Paul

Thank you, Gina.

hamfist

sweet, I've been waiting for this...

Paul

Can you add the "Gmail *2* big attachment icons" script found here: [userstyles.org]

Thanks!

WillJitsu

Ah HAH! No wonder MailWasher and Eudora choked on Gmail all morning.

infmom

Finally. I felt lost without the keyboard shortcuts. Everytime I went to label, delete, etc, it took a second or two for my brain to tell me I can't do that yet. Thanks so much for the release. Now I just need the Sidebar Reader link. That's how I keep track of all my feeds. Without that, I always forget to check my Reader. The skins were nice as well (I forgot how boring the normal Gmail skin is). But, I am quite content for now.

xious

Could we please get the No Spam Count one back quickly? That (and a delete button) were why I started installing GMail greasemonkey scripts in the first place.

DannoHung

One problem I have with the new gmail is the "Hide Spam Count" feature is no longer working in better gmail or in my customize google extensions. Anyone have any fixes for this? I find it insufferably annoying.

Loop Universe

I would actually like to suggest the addition of a script to the original Better Gmail extension. There might be those who prefer using the older version of Gmail so that they can use the scripts/features that are used by the original Better Gmail extension. And those who will still use the original Better Gmail extension would probably prefer to have the older version of Gmail load by default. And I am sure that a script that would redirect a user from the new version of Gmail to the old one could be written and included with this extension.

I have checked to see if there is a script that redirects the user from the new version of Gmail to the old version of it, and it seems that no such script exists at this time. However, once such a script is available, I understand it can be easily added to the extension. In fact, I have worked with the extension's source code and have found that new scripts can be added to it fairly easily. The Better Gmail extension appears to have been designed so that it can be easily upgraded. However, I'd have to say that Ms. Trapani must have been quite busy with the releases of this extension and the Better YouTube extension. I would also like to thank her for her hard work.

JKasprzak

Thanks for the update! Can't wait to download and start using the extension.

SA

@hweiss: Works fine for me. Are you sure you don't just have a popup blocker causing problems?

BrianW62

What tha? I just uninstalled my old Better Gmail extension and now the download doesn't work.
Wonderful. Just wonderful.

hweiss

OT but is "Gmail 2" exclusive to Gmail?? I have "Gmail 2" on my vanilla Gmail account but "Gmail 1" on my Google Apps account.

Also is it possible to have both extension installed?

-A

Adam Chernow

@BrianW62: Good call. It could also be that lifehacker.com isn't allowed to ask to install extensions. I'm pretty sure this isn't the case, seeing as how hweiss had the original Better Gmail, but you never know...

voyagerfan5761

Could any one direct me to a screen shot of the older versione of Gmail vs the new version? I am a bit doumbfounded by which I ame using right now!

MichaelP

Kudos to your team!

Thanks for releasing this add on, definitely useful.

One little reason why I was hesitant to switch to the new version is that the new Gmail page displays
Gmail - ***@gmail.com in the title bar which is something I didn't really want.
I always wanted Inbox (*) followed by the no. of unread messages.

This extension fixes it clearly, and I'm downloading it right away.

Once again, thank you for making this available, Gina!

Shankar Ganesh

@MichaelP: It look similar - if there is a link to "older version" at the top right corner, you have the new version. If not, then you're in the old version.

Differences are really in speed, rather than functions.

Rich Bradshaw

@MichaelP: do you have the new Contact list?

Gigadafud

now only if my Google Apps for my Domain would now update and start using the new interface.

Gigadafud

I really miss signature float.

gpzbc

Is anyone getting a blank screen when they download/open an attachment from Gmail? I'm forced to refresh to get gmail to come back. What's going on?

ryetronics

Dang, I was hoping the new version of BG would somehow fix my inability to use the macros, but no dice. The only ones that work are the label-related macros (l, b, and g)... and I don't use labels very often. Grr. Even the key that's supposed to bring up the macro help screen (h, right?) doesn't do a dang thing.

Oh well. It'll be worth it when the skins come back...

Nicole Marie

I forgot to mention that this blank screen after opening attachments was happening before Better Gmail 2 was installed, so it's by no means a bug with the extension. This has been happening ever since I changed to the 'new' gmail.

Re: signature float. Why isn't this a native option in Gmail? Who bottom posts anymore, especially in an email?

ryetronics

I miss signature float too...

Great work though, Gina!

quebekop

@ryetronics: Yes. That is annoying the crap out of me. Every single time I open an attachment, my screen goes blank and I have to refresh. What's up with that?

Also, I can't seem to get the keyboard macros working. All the other options work but the macros. And that's one of the most important aspects of BG2. HELP!!

xious

Will the old Better Gmail do anything with the new Gmail interface? Does it affect it at all, or does it just not work at all? I'll keep both if it doesn't do anything, but if the old one does weird things to the new interface, then we have a problem.

MePerson

@ryetronics: I'm not having this problem, but I'll keep testing. What kind of attachment (image, Word doc, PDF)?

@MePerson: There are a couple of scripts from the original Better Gmail that work on the new Gmail (like Inbox Count first and Secure.) However, no "weird things," as far as I know. I'm running both extensions, and not having any problems--though I do recommend choosing one and sticking with only it, if you can.

@James: The new Gmail UI doesn't look much different at all. Most changes are under the hood.

@Loop Universe: I tested Hide Spam Count in Greasemonkey and it doesn't seem to work in the new Gmail. I left a comment on the user script page about it.

Also, I'll check out Brent's Macros mods for possible inclusion.

Gina Trapani, Lifehacker Editor

So I have what may sound like a dumb question. People keep saying "snazzy new interface" or "Gmail's new interface". Am I missing something in this new update?

Isn't the UI virtually identical to the old one? I know there are a lot of back end code updates that makes gmail run faster but can we really call it an interface update?

Don't get me wrong I'm a staunche gmail lover and i'm happy as anyone that they are finally actually doing something to gmail, but I would love to see actual UI/ GUI improvements over the next few months as well.

Or maybe I'm dead wrong and someone could enlighten me on this subject.

Thanks

James

Gmail sounds very attractive. However, I've always been reticent to use it because I'd heard that they NEVER really delete your email (even if you think that you have done so.)

Do any of the LifeHackers really know for sure?

Thanks!

SpudDude

I really miss my colored labels... :'-( But It's good to see that Google is working on improving their services. Thanks again Gina!

TuRfYMaN

I second the sig float feature. I miss that the most....

StreetMonk

most wanted feature: delete (or archive) then go to NEXT MESSAGE (like old Yahoo mail).

murph

@Gina: It happens with any attachment. Basically, when I click on Download attachment, the screen goes white and I get the Open/Save prompt. Pressing the Back button does nothing, but Reloading the page brings me back. Again though, this was happening before BG2 was released, so I think it's a native Gmail problem.

ryetronics

I really really need my 't' hotkey to work to trash a message. # doesn't work for me. whoever thought of using # for trash?

until then, I'm using the old version. I don't want to archive certain emails, I need to trash them!

qrius

In Mihai's macro script ? brings up the help page. Although, it doesn't seem to display everything at least on my display.

The standard Gmail keyboard shortcuts are listed here: [mail.google.com]

Michael Kizer

I keep getting an error message when trying to install Better GMail 2?

everno

I just installed Better Gmail 2, in firefox, it looks like it is working, (connection via https: and from the tools menu the Better Gmail 2 dialog display, but there is an hourglass when the cursor is over the dialog feature, artifact or bug?

dmcox

@voyagerfan5761: Oh holy cow, that's AWESOME. I really need the (H)elp shortcut back!

Gina Trapani, Lifehacker Editor

@murph: You can archive and go to next or previous in the new version with the square bracket ("[" or "]") keys.

voyagerfan5761

@murph: I agree. After I reply to a message, I'm constantly finding myself hitting send, then archive, then the next message. Send & Archive in one motion and Archive & Next would both be nice. Ack.

Equis

@SpudDude: Actually, no email company actually deletes your email. that's how those emails show up in lawsuits and etc. the users deleted them, but deletion in real life just means they were flagged as deleted, not actually wiped out from their servers.

so don't ever email something you don't want shown up in some lawsuit! :)

qrius

Better Gmail is one of my favoritest add ons, but I haven't seen the new Gmail in my Google Apps yet. I had to log into my old Gmail account to see what all the fuss is about.

I'm looking forward to getting the faster version in my Google Apps and making the leap to Better Gmail 2.

Equis

It's seriously because of things like these why I am SO glad I found lifehacker. Coolest. Place. Ever. Thanks Gina!

BurN_87

The newest beta of the CustomizeGoogle extension can hide the spam count w/ the new Gmail version.

[groups.google.com]

bwaldron

Thanks for the update. Air skin is sorely missed.. :( waaaaa

Bradford

Thanks for your work Gina!
Is it possible to update the Inbox Count First script to work when viewing labels too? Would greatly appreciate it.

oleg

Should I disable the GMail Macros GreaseMonkey script if I install this extension?

lbaca

Will this extension work with Flock 1.0.1? Install error, even though Flock is based on Firefox.

rstrb8r

@Michael Kizer: Right on--yay for man, I mean ? !

Gina Trapani, Lifehacker Editor

@sharpless2: hey, I had the same problem that your having before I even installed Better Gmail 2. I don't think that's what's causing it even though Gmail says it is.

I don't think that because i had that issue the very first time I noticed there was a new version and that was before BG2 was even available. I'm not sure i did anything special to get it to work other than login and out a few times while clicking on the contacts.

James

Gina, thanks for the extension. I am, however, having a heck of a problem with it. When I click the Contacts link, the contacts box never fills in - it just stays white, no error message or anything. So, in the new version of Gmail, I essentially have no access to my contacts.

I checked Gmail's Help section and did the troubleshooter. They specifically told me to disable Better Gmail in order to make the Contacts appear. Is there a way for you to make it so there are no conflicts with the new Contacts UI? I think there's some Javascript involved now, unless I'm mistaken. Again, sorry, but any help would be appreciated. I'd hate to have to discard Better Gmail.

Sharpless2

The new macros scripts are multiplying just like the originals. There's a new version out that build on Brent Nef's enhancements to Mihai's work, modified by a Blogger user named GreenPlastik. H(is|er) version is here.

(S)He (I've asked about that, don't worry) says (s)he's made some more updates and added the help screen back in. I'm guessing that means it works better now. The code certainly looks cleaner, and is better documented I think. I did notice that hitting the "?" key pops up two help screens, one of which won't go away (this uncooperative one also pops up on "h", so be careful for now if you use this version). I've posted back to GreenPlastik about the bug and there will probably be a(nother) new version in the next few days.

Whew! My parenthesis keys are exhausted... :D

voyagerfan5761

I hope this 2 version can do a better handling of coloured labels. :)

In the old version they dissapeared every time gmail looked for new mail...

White_Duke

Thanks for the update! Honestly, the only reason I still use both gmail and Firefox is because of the additions of Better Gmail. I've become so attached to the color-coded labels that the day I can't use them any more is my last day on gmail.

So I've been using just ui=1 since the change (or since I figured it out, there was a bit of a lag there...) and I find that it acts a little twitchy (side menus spontaneously opening, for instance). Anybody else finding this?

In addition to the color labels, I'd sure miss the "Super Clean" skin if I couldn't have it anymore.

piminnowcheez

the macros don't work for me..is that normal?

cha

I use apps and my gmail hasn't changed to new version, but the old (v1.1) better gmail is not working, only version 2. Could I make a mistake or is it right?
(Sorry for my english...)

Mato

Userstyles.org already has a few updated styles up - including a few "styles" that I would consider more as "scripts".

timepiece

@ryetronics: Did you ever get this problem resolved? I'm having the same issue without Better Gmail installed at all. Then after reading this site I installed BGM 2 and same issue.

I'd appreciate if someone would respond if they're not experiencing this issue on the new gmail.

Thanks.

lh-0

I notice the transformation of mailto: links doesn't work in some cases. For example, on Google Maps (note how the Email doesn't open in Gmail):

[maps.google.com],-73893323,5204338644403873350#

karimo40

I was working on a new darker style skin for gmail that is / was so close to being completed when they released this new version.. now its all messed up lol I'll try to redo it for the new gmail interface and I'll give you a head up. If you would like to add it to the first better gmail let me know.
I'm missing the folders and saved searches now, but hopefully they'll be back eventually.. I love this extension though!

Skem9

@Qrius: "#" -> "hash", which rhymes with trash? Sorry, couldn't resist.

kijitah

Folders4Gmail [userscripts.org] has now been update to the new version of Gmail

rmagere

hey, where's FILTER ASSISTANT gone? the new filter on the drop down menu from gmail is ugly, and it gets you to the filters page when it's done! we want to be back into message view after creating the filter! bring em back please!!

guiyoforward

@guiyoforward: Hey, yeah! Google made a bad decision on that one. I had Filter Assistant, and didn't use it too much, but then again I don't make filters that often. It would still be nice to have back, though, for those times when I do make filters (days like today, when I have to get ready for a new batch of courses).

voyagerfan5761

BG2 doesnt work with the spanish version of Gmail, and V1 doesnt work too :(

kNo

The only one I really miss is the persistent searches, or whatever it was called. Man oh man! I didn't realize how much I depended on that thing until it was gone. :(

magnoliasouth

It turns out that any Gmail extension for Firefox results in that blank Contacts list. Of course, the only ones I had were Better Gmail 1.x and 2, and I had to uninstall both to see my contacts.

Note: Uninstall, not disable.

Is anybody else seeing this issue without having any extensions enabled?

sumants

I know this extension just rounds up other peoples' scripts, but I thought I would say this here anyway: one feature I would love to see in this extension is the option to set a max width for the compose box. In the new version, my compose box stretches across my wide screen, making paragraphs annoying to read.

smallflightlessbird

This script does color labels in Gmail 2.0:

[userscripts.org]

Maybe you can incorporate it until the original author updates his? I am sick of all the broken labels.

endolith

The blank page after clicking "download" for an attachment is caused by TabMix Plus extension.

The blank contact manager is caused by Gmail Label Colors script.

Try to disable these to make those two work.

For me, I would rather keep TabMix Plus, just can't live without it..

kfkming