By the time you are done with this post, you will want to shower me with gifts to show your appreciation for the awesomeness that I am about to bestow on you. Seriously. And I happily encourage you to go with your gut on this.
Most of you are reading this post in a feed reader right now. You? Just sit tight for two seconds while I bring the rest of my readers into the 21st century.
If you read more than 10 blogs, you should seriously look into a feedreader. I highly recommend Google’s feedreader. If you haven’t got a clue what a feed or a reader are – read this.
OK, now that we’re all on the same page and using a feedreader to surf through an endless number of blogs, let’s get to today’s HOLY CRAP THIS THING CHANGED MY LIFE.
The worst thing about reading blogs in a feedreader is that you’re not on the actual site. You don’t see the graphics or pictures. Sometimes you only get partial excerpts of a post (and those people should be stabbed). And commenting can be a real pain in the arse.
The worst thing about publishing your blog in a feedreader is that you have absolutely no idea if you are talking to yourself or not. (I mean, you know, in theory.) Kristen recently launched an actual movement called Blogging the Recession meant to inspire people to get out of their readers and onto the actual pages that we all bust our asses on.
But why do we all use feedreaders in the first place? Because they are awesome. That’s why. Because they save us time and keep the hundreds of people we’re trying to keep track of organized.
If only there was a way that we could use our feedreaders and still comment, see pictures, etc. without having to click out of the reader and into the timesuck pit that is multiple tabs and windows…
Ha! My friends, there IS a way to do just that!
(Did I just blow your minds? I totally did. Admit it.)
Here’s what you need:
1. You need to use Firefox. And really, if you’re not using Firefox you’re not one of the cool kids. And you should go get Firefox so you can be one of us.
2. Next you need Greasemonkey. This is a Firefox add-on that has all sorts of cool uses. We’re only going to talk about one today, but trust me. You want it and it takes about 2 seconds to add.
3. And FINALLY – you need the Google Reader Preview Extension. This is, in my opinion, the single greatest tool ever developed for bloggers. It’s that good. And all you have to do is follow the link and click “install this script” (upper right side of the page).
What this extension does is add a “Preview” button to your Google Reader. Click it.
Now, when you’re reading blogs, any time you click on the title it will replace the feed with the actual post on the site in the frame.
You can see pictures and text exactly the way the author intended you to see them. You give your friends pageviews which translate into ad dollars. And more importantly, you can comment on a post in about 2 seconds!
Every blogger loves comments. Whether they have 10 readers or 10,000 readers, they want to know that someone is listening. They want to know that they are heard.
But realistically, we all have lives. There is only so much time in the day and trying to comment on tons of blogs can eat into that time.
Hopefully, this will help a few of you. 
I know it’s made a huge difference for me.
Posted in Blogging and Bloggers - Tips, Contests and Stuff for Bloggers Tagged: add on scripts, blogging, blogging tips, blogging tools, feedreaders, firefox, firefox add ons, firefox extensions, Google reader
Hmm, where did you hear about this amazing tool? It must have been someone brilliant and awesome. And hot.
I think Adam told you about this.
Firefox and my ancient Dell laptop refuse to play nicely together. It just won’t open about 75% of the sites I want it to open.
I get a message that says “Firefox is unable to open that site” And then I want to throw Della across the room and that wouldn’t be good. So I’m a slave to reading blogs like the old dinosaur that I am.
*Hangs head in uncool shame*
Awesome and dammit! So I really really need to leave the old Bloglines behind and step up to Google reader… cause this sounds like all kinds of awesome.
but what does the greasemonkey part do? other then put that cute monkey in the corner of my screen
LOOK! I’m commenting from my feeds!
Holy crap, that’s cool! I’m actually commenting from within Reader. Unfortunately, I use Safari at home, but will set it up at work on Monday.
Thanks! *sniff*
You’re wonderful.
I’d send gifts, but just paid for Madonna tickets for Cameron’s birthday.
I love Google Reader. I always click through to the blogs themselves to leave comments though. Basically I use it to see when someone’s updated. It makes reading much more efficient!
While this is a very cool idea, and I do use Greasemonkey, I don’t use Google Reader. I use FeedDemon and Newsgator on the web. I like the concept, though.
Does this mean maybe someone will comment on my blog?
Whoa.
You rock hard, Britt. :rock:
Well. Isn’t that just the spiffiest thing EVAR!
Thank you for sharing!
Maybe I’m using the actual Preview Extension without knowing it, but when I click on the blog title or the article title I get a new window with the actual site which is where I post my comments.
I dunno, but I always go to the actual site when I want to comment, and I’m a blabbermouth…so that is a lot.
Why, Karl, why? Why aren’t you using Google reader? Google should be used for everything. Calendar, reader, mail, etc., etc., ad infinitum. Okay, I really don’t care that much. I do use Google for a lot of stuff though.
I’m going to check out Greasemonkey, dear Britt, because you said so.
Are you loving up your kids right now?
It’s a little goofed up in my reader unless I hide the “my subscriptions” pane. Otherwise, pretty cool!
The problem I have is that I don’t like to subscribe to the feeds… I like to visit personally, which makes me think that I have made some sort of faux pas, which I know that I haven’t…
of course, you could visit my blogs! http://gastronerds.com/wordpress/
http://mamandesfilles.blogspot.com
…. and anything else you need to find yourself!
Dude.
Sweet!
(Sorry, I Dude Where’s My Car’d all over your blog. Still.)
Already been singing your praises since you twittered about this!
Ok you are right, I do want to send you something because I am commenting from reader right now! How cool is that? Thanks!
For once I was already doing this.
I’m going to take a minute and feel super smart because usually that is not the case.
I finally have to leave Bloglines huh? Oy.
For you, I’ll do it.
I started using Firefox yesterday and discovered this. I have like 3 extra hours in my day now. I will NEVER go back to IE!
OMG I am installing this as soon as I get home, you are the best!
Oh, and firefox adds a site to your google reader in 1 click, instead of 3 like IE, and has a check through the rss button on a site if you are already subscribed.
Sorry. I’m just so excited by all this.
Fantastic…. Thanks! :clap:
Can I ask a question to the Miss Britt Reading Universe? Does anyone know if there is a way to keep every page in ‘preview’ mode? It’d be nice to just STAY in preview as I scroll down…
I am a complete relic…..I actually go from site to site and read everyone’s blogs in their pure form. Talk about old fashioned……
I’ve had this installed for a few weeks now since Lorelle mentioned it making commenting on blogs easier. It can still go wonky though, especially if you have a separate comment window that pops up off the post separately. Otherwise, a very worthwhile script.
I would highly recommend Feedburner as well to get a feedcount… and the FeedSmith plugin if you run WP to get a more accurate count of your readers. It’s not perfect, and can be hacked, but at least it gives you an idea.
does it register as a hit when someone reads your blog on the reader? or only if you comment?
i do all my surfing solely from my reader, and so this is EXTREMELY helpful. thank you, blondie.
Am commenting from my GOOGLE READER RIGHT NOW!
And am thrilled to bits. Thanks so much for the tip!
Miss Britt: Making blogging easier for readers everywhere.
This is just too totally awesome! I can leave more comments on more blogs in less time! And since I’m on borrowed time (a borrowed laptop, as mine has died RIP) this is uber cool.
I used to have Greasemonkey but it wouldn’t play nice with a couple of my essential FF plugins, so I had to uninstall it. But I don’t use a feed reader anyway.
I’ve tried several different ones, several times. I don’t like the *distance* they put between my blogfriends and me – blog reading becomes too impersonal. So I keep my regular reads down to a manageable number.
Like NYCWD I’ve been using it since Lorelle mentioned it on her site. I twittered the shit out of it because I love it so much!
Like Dawg said though, it’s a bit wonky for those pop up comments and also for sites that have their width to 100%, it bungs it all up. (Kinda like this one. LOL)
It’s the best thing EVAH!
It’s an interesting concept (I’m commenting from within the reader right now), but honestly, (at least for me), it’s a bigger nuisance to scroll to the end of a post and click preview than to just click the post title and open it in a new tab if I want to comment/read comments. (I think part of my lack of love is the load time; your page took longer to load inside the pane than in a new tab, at least for me).
I get why some people would prefer it, but since I generally run with 3-5 tabs already (gmail, reader, 1-2 news sites, one active blog I’m commenting on) I don’t mind the additional tab.
Thanks for the info though, very interesting idea.
I am using all of these right now. I grabbed them up when you tweeted about it a few weeks ago. I love it too!
Hey, who knew your blog had all that pink on it? I always assumed it was plain text with light blue sidebars.
Holy Fucklick, this is cool! I’ve been going back and forth between FeedDemon and Google Reader for about two years now. This might make Google Reader the clear winner!
Thanks for the suggestion.
Done. Thank God I was one of the cool kids who was already using a reader, and Firefox.
Thanks Britt!!
xo
Someone brilliant, awesome and hot also advised me when I got my new computer! Damn, he gets around (whore)!
Anyway, you are right. So right.
As usual.
:clap:
I started using this about two weeks ago and I agree, it has changed my life. I’m using it right this very second. I love it.
Neato.
I bow down before thee. NOT Adam ’cause he didn’t share.
All Hail The Great Britt!
All Hail The Great Britt!
All Hail The Great Britt!
Thank you Britt. You are wonderful. Holy crap.
i don’t use firefox, some sites i go to don’t support it, i won’t switch, i’m a die hard i guess..i also don’t use a reader…i click each site in my favs and then go to the actual site, read what i want, comment what i want, and move on to the next one…every site that i visit regularly is listed on my blog roll on my blog..i read them all regularly…some daily, some more like once a week, and i’ll read a weeks worth of posts then…i’m a fast reader, what can i say…i don’t stop to comment on each blog, though some i comment on more than others…if all i have to add is a “yeah, that makes sense” i skip it…any way, i’m old fashioned i guess, i also don’t have a cell phone i carry every where with me like a part of my arm, sorry, i just can’t bring myself to do it…and i have yet to get a digital slr, though i’m working on the hubby on that one (he really wants one too)…soooo….enjoy your best blogging tool ever, i’ll stay here in the stone age with my point and shoot camera and my manual clicking of sites and not being connected to everyone all the time…oh, and i have NO idea how to text anyone…
I think I love you.
Thanks bunches, this really makes things a lot easier. When it brought your site up in the reader it was HUGE, so I just opened it in a new window, and it is just right. So just one more step for me.
Thanks :clap:
I normally click through to a site.
But, to prove I’m one of the few men who can be trained, I’ve installed items mentioned (thanks for the tip) to try them out.
(I’ll probably still click through most time. Sure, I can be trained, but I’m sort of old and set in my ways.)
This is AWESOME.
I’m sending you my first born as a thank you.
Ah…just re-read the post and now I understand. Gotcha.
Firefox and Google Reader user here and I also click on the sites so that I cn see the whole site… But I have never heard of Grease monkey??
I am giving you my firstborn. Of course Mr. Britt might not appreciate a 22 year old man hanging around the house. The good news is he is very very tall so he can get all the stuff in the top cabinets for you. I will miss him dearly but that is how much I LOVE you for the work you saved me.
OK. I’ll give it a try. But I’m not giving up bloglines yet. Mostly because I’m already a little skeeved out by teh Google scanning my emails to to target ads. Now, if they know what blogs I read? I’ll have no more secrets!! :slaphead:
I’m a FeedDemon user too. I do have Google Reader as well, so I’ll give it a shot and see what I like better. Thanks for the tip!
I haven’t read through every last comment so maybe somebody already posted this, but the Preview script along with some other Google Reader power scripts are all rolled up and compiled in a single Firefox extension from Lifehacker called “Better GRreader“. You don’t need Greasemonkey installed for it to work (although Greasemonkey is tremendously useful and I love it).
WHY have I not explored Google Reader before this? WHY must it take me so long to embrace technology? WHY am I so very clearly RETARDED? I ask you. I am now one of the Cool Kids, but on probation.
You mean everyone didn’t already know about this? C’mon people, get on your game!
And furthermore, if your not using CoComment(http://www.cocomment.com/) you REALLY should be.
You don’t have to sign up for email replies anymore. They are all tracked automagically, and you are notified via an icon in the status bar of your browser.
Quite awesome, actually.
I hate CoComment – it is impossible to uninstall and has so many bugs last time I used it that I couldn’t even leave comments for people half the time. I’d much rather just subscribe to comments or to the comment feed.
i LOVE this.
off to see if i can manage without breaking my pc.
I’m totally digging the little monkey at the bottom of my browser. I LOVE little monkeys.
That is pretty cool. But I was a little disappointed. After reading the title about the greatest tool ever, I had hoped that it actually wrote your blog posts for you.
Crap, I can’t get the script to load.
I use google reader but I’d like to be able to comment from the feed – that would ROCK!
Uhhhh forget what I just said. Replace it with – “I’m an idiot”.
I’m now commenting from my reader.
HOW COOL IS THAT!
way fucking cool. imma have to do this soon. right now i am busy playing catchup on blogs.
there are some blogs that i go to and others that i usually just catch in my reader (google! see you guys did teach me something!). this idea to be able to comment on everyone’s sites might just mean that i need to hit the lottery and do nothing but surf da internet for the rest of my life. see what you have done? clearly i need to quit my job…
As soon as I bury my eight-yr-old computer and get a nice new shiny one I’m going to download all this stuff and be one of the cool kids.
Oh, wait, by the time I get my shiny new computer all this stuff will be out of date and I still won’t be cool!
Love it – I found this about 2 weeks ago after SlackerMama posted a link about this. I’ve been loving it and I’ve been a commented fool.
Errr that would be a commenting fool.
i did all that and need help. am stupid.
OMFG, I am totally seeing your site and commenting IN GOOGLE READER!!!
YOU ROCK YOU ROCK YOU ROCK
Are we sure it counts as traffic to your site?
You are awesome!!! This is way too cool and so easy to use!
Oh wow!! That IS cooL!!! Woohoo!! Thanks so much for teaching us how to install it and all!! YAY!
I did it! And I’m going to blog it so everyone is doing it. Thank you!
I got a new computer. Which means, I have to go and manually redo all my quirky little net and computer habits. I couldn’t remember what this one was, but I did know it had the word greasemonkey in it. So, I Googled “Miss Britt greasemonkey”. Guess what?! It brought me right to this page. So, I guess we can Google you, too!
This is fabulous! Thanks for sharing.
Okay. I’ve tried this twice now. Twice. And it still won’t work for me.
I am horribly jealous of all you people who are commenting from your readers and looking at pretty pictures and stuff. Grr.
Help!!
Okay, I had to download the Better GReader extension, and it works! From what I read on the preview extension site, Google has updated their reader so now that script doesn’t work.
Thanks for this! It’s definitely going to make my life a lot easier!