Hack: Making Orkut User Friendly (Via Stylish)

I think one of Orkut's greatest strengths is the fact that its simple appearance makes it easy for anyone to use, as well as navigate around the site.

Well, it seems a hack by JuanBR has improved upon Google's original design, creating a layout that gives the social network a more aesthetic taste (i.e. "it just looks better").

To see what I mean, here is a screen shot comparing Orkut before implementing this stylish hack:



And here is a screen shot after installing Stylish:



This hack requires Firefox, and for those of you who love visuals (I think I am going to have to create video's some day) here are step-by-step instructions on how to install this hack.

First, you are going to need to install Stylish for Firefox by visiting this link:
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2108 .

Next, click on the green "Install Now" button.



A pop up window should appear asking you if you really want to install the script (with a warning beside it).



Simply click on the Install Now button, which will load the add-on inside your Firefox. Note: I had no problems installing this script, but you should only install scripts from sites that you trust.

After its done, you will need to restart Firefox, (sad, but true) so simply close out your browser and come back here after the break. ;-)

Next, visit UserStyles.org (or rather http://userstyles.org/styles/3097) and click on the Load into Stylish button.



Another window should pop up (not highlighted here) asking you if you want to preview, save or cancel. Hit the save button, and then visit Orkut.com again.

I really love the layout of this hack, and I think it would be really cool if Google adopted this layout (or something similar) as it would definitely improves the over all look of the site. If anyone has any questions (or reviews) you can visit this site for details.

Note: Will add this hack underneath Orkut User Tools.

Hack: Mass Delete Tool For Friends (And Foes?)

(Hat tip: Dean aka The Dude of Orkut)

Update (7/9): Corrected original authorship of script hack.

Here is a useful tool originally developed by Rodrigo (and partially translated into English by Sharath) that gives users the option of removing testimonials, messages, topics and even friends en mass.

Here is a brief explanation over at Technowise.

(Technowise) Now deleting anything from orkut is a lot more easier with the Mass Delete Tool!
This tool is for mass deleting messages, topics, events, friends and testimonials. It will be very useful for all orkut users, especially the community owners and moderators. The orkut interface only provides multiple selection and deletion of scraps, and this tool provides options for everything else!

In order to use this hack, users will need to install Firefox as well as GreaseMonkey, and for the visually stimulated (that includes me) here are some quick screen shots on how useful this hack may be for some users.

1. After installing GreaseMonkey, search for the OMDT link.





2. Clicking on it will open a new mini window which allows you to adjust how fast you want the deleted friends, testimonials, etc. to take place.





3. Next, select Yes to turn on the script (other wise it will not work).





4. The options below simply ask if you want to be alerted on your homepage. Simply click yes on both items.





5. After you are done, click OK. A pop up should appear asking you to verify whether you want to turn this on or not. Simply hit Ok again to let the fun begin.





6. Next, select the friends that you want to remove. If you want to remove all of them, you can always hit the all link as shown below.





7. Next, hit the Delete Selected link to remove your various friends. Just in case you change your mind there is an Interruption link (not shown here) which you can always click on to halt the process.





8. Last but not least, a pop up window should appear, letting you know not only how many friends were deleted, but how long the process took.

This is a really helpful tool (at least for me) and probably is something Google should consider adding as a feature in the Friend Section. Users can download this GreaseMonkey hack over here, and this tool will definitely go underneath Orkut User Tools.

If anyone has any questions regarding this hack, please visit Sharath's post on TechnoWise Rodrigo Lacerda scrapbook as the community forum seems to have been deleted.

Update (7/9): Thanks to Mr. Nobody and Sharath for confirming Rodrigo as the original author. Props to both of you guys!

Enlarge Thy Image?

Rahul, over at the Welcome to the Devil's Workshop has created a GreaseMonkey hack (Firefox required) that allows users to enlarge the images on their scrapbook.

Here is a before and after screen shot comparing the two:



For those of you who are already Firefox (and GreaseMonkey) fans, you can install this hack by clicking here.

Although a cosmetic hack, this does improve the overall appearance of my scrapbook (at least in my opinion).

Note: I am going to list this hack underneath Orkut User Tools on the sidebar.

Double Note: Congrats Rahul for reaching 100,000 plus hits!