Like Google Talk, you can consider placing your favorite Google services like Gmail, Google Reader, Google Calendar, etc. in the Firefox sidebar so that content is always accessible without you having to switch any tabs in Firefox.
Figure 1: Gmail Inbox placed inside Firefox Sidebar
Here are some popular Google websites & tools that can added to the Firefox Sidebar. Thanks Steve for the idea.
Google Gmail - http://m.gmail.com - With Gmail running in the sidebar, you can compose new emails, browse your Google contacts or get notified of new emails in Gmail.
Google Notebook - http://www.google.com/notebook/m – The mobile version of Google Notebook lets you browse existing notes or add new notes from the Firefox Sidebar.
If you want to do more, add the desktop version of Google Notebook to Firefox Sidebar using this address - http://www.google.com/notebook/ig?hl=__MSG_locale__
Related: Save Google Results in Google Notebook
Google Talk - http://talkgadget.google.com/talkgadget/popout – You have this already in your Firefox sidebar but just in case.
Google Homepage - http://www.google.com/ig/i – This is the iPhone optimized version of Google IG but the layout looks just perfect in the Firefox Sidebar and requires no extensions.
Google News - http://www.google.com/m/news – This is the regular Google News homepage with stories from all categories. If you like to see only technology related news in the Firefox Sidebar, use http://www.google.com/m/news?topic=t
Google Docs – http://docs.google.com/m – With the mobile version of Google Docs, you can browse existing documents but can’t create new stuff.
You may however use Google Docs shortcuts to quickly create new documents, spreadsheets or presentations from Firefox Sidebar.
If you are just looking to browse documents, also try the following URL as it gives you an option to instantly search Google Docs documents.
http://docs.google.com/API/IGoogle?up_numDocuments=100&browserok=true
Google Calendar - http://www.google.com/calendar/m – Keep track of upcoming events and appointments by placing Google Calendar in the Firefox sidebar. You also get the option to add new events to your Google Calendar.
Google Reader – http://www.google.com/reader/i – This is also for the iPhone but you can use it it catch up with you favorite RSS feeds while surfing the web in Firefox.
Google Photos - http://picasaweb.google.com/m/ – This lets you browse Picasa Web Album photos in the Firefox sidebar. You may also put comments on Photos.
Orkut – http://m.orkut.com – You can read new scraps, manage friend requests or track updates from your existing Orkut friends using the mobile version of Orkut.
Related: How to access websites using email
Find this article at: http://www.labnol.org/software/browsers/access-google-websites-from-firefox-sidebar-gmail-calendar/3694/
web: http://www.labnol.org/ email: amit@labnol.org
Reader Comments
Amit,
You are doing a great job.
Keep it up
Akshay
Written by Akshay Yadav on 06.26.08
Wow, everything that google provides has lighter versions. Looks like firefox sidebar is alone sufficient. ;)
Written by San on 06.26.08
i’m using my own email domain and hosted using google apps, do you know mobile version for this site?
Written by faizal on 06.26.08
Hmm, I’ve tried this before and abandoned. For one, the font size is a lot bigger than the web-page (distracting), clicking on any of the links (say in google calendar) opens the page in the main window (i end up moving away from the page I am reading). Is it just me or is this the general experience too?
Written by Mayuresh Kadu on 06.27.08
Looks really nice, a good way to use the extra space on a wide-screen monitor.
But if you’re more interested in a all-in-one solution, I can recommend using Netvibes (or iGoogle, but you’ll end up with a lot of wasted space due to the header) in the sidebar instead. Most modules are made to fit in that width-class, and it’s nicely and easily configurable.
Written by Kalleguld on 06.27.08
@Mayuresh: Yes the links do open in the main window which made me drop the idea as well.
Written by Varun Kashyap on 07.03.08