GReader Favicon Alerts

By Peter Wooley — Last update Mar 27, 2011 — Installed 21,095 times.

Script Summary: Alerts you to the number of unread items in Google Reader.



Version: 1.2

Latest Version Notes

Patched 1.2: Updated icon! The script now defaults to using the current Google Reader icon (If you're curious, it's loaded from here: http://www.google.com/reader/ui/favicon.ico). If you're running Firefox and are set in your ways (like me!), you can use the old Favicon by loading up Google Reader, going to the Tools menu (In Firefox 4 on Windows, hit Alt to bring up the Menu bar) then drilling into Greasemonkey > User Script Commands and clicking Greader Favicon Alerts > Use Original Favicon.

To start utilizing the current icon, I made a few substantial code changes, so I'd appreciate it if you could try it out and let me know if you run into trouble. If it isn't working, I'd love to know your browser (including version), operating system, and any other Google Reader-related Addons you're using. Thanks!

Description

  • An unread count is overlaid on the Google Reader icon. The count increases up through 1000.

    Screenshot: New Unread Items

  • The count is indicated when over 1000.

    Screenshot: Unread items over 1000

Used in combination with the Faviconize Tab extension, you can easily keeps tabs on your Google Reader status with less screen real estate than usual.

GReader Favicon Alerts is based on my other script Gmail Favicon Alerts and includes a space-efficient and eye-pleasing pixel font by Tyler Sticka.

Previous Version Notes

Patched 1.1: Chrome Support! This script should now function properly in Chrome. Let me know if you have any trouble in Chrome, Firefox or Opera.

This script is now a part of the great Better GReader Firefox Addon.

Patched 1.0.1: Opera Support! You can now use GReader Favicon Alerts as an Opera User Javascript.

To use, please download the file and move it into your userscripts folder. Read Opera's tutorial on User Javascript for details on setting up userscripts.

Notes

  • User SBromagem noted that the Show Unread Count option must be enabled in Google Reader for this script to work. You can find the setting in the settings dropdown, next to the All Items link.