It isn’t often that I run across a Firefox Add-on which just blows my mind and makes me want to sing the praises of the developer, but Better Gmail 2.0.5.2 is one such add-on. This week we converted the office away from Microsoft Exchange server and onto the Google Mail App instead. I won’t go into the reasons why in this post, but after I made the switch I was somewhat disappointed with the interface of Gmail and it’s inability to allow me to customize it.

Here were just a handful of my gripes.

• I can’t resize the width of the left side menu bar
• Why does Gmail feel the need to “label” my messages rather then using the conventional folder system?
• Shouldn’t I be able to modify the color scheme to my liking. There is only so much pastel I can take
• When writing messages the REPLY, FORWARD and DELETE aren’t in the most obvious or intuitive locations

I don’t want to continue on bitching about Google, because aside from the interface the Gmail App kicks ass and checks SPAM well. It is reliable and it allows me to IMAP my mail to desktop clients. In light of my situation I looked for some way to relieve my disdain for the default interface.

Better Gmail 2 makes the entire mail experience much more enjoyable and easy on the eyes.
Google Talk actually looks like an IM client

Labels are converted into operating like folders.

A handy keyboard shortcut menu

All in all, this add-on has made the jump from Exchange to Gmail VERY enjoyable! I highly suggest Better Gmail 2.