Greasemonkey allows you to customize the way popular websites look and behave by tweaking their functionality with a script.
In fact Greasemonkey is not an application in itself. It’s a Firefox add-on that prepares your browser to support Greasemonkey scripts. The add-on puts a small monkey icon in the bottom right corner, from where you can add new scripts and manage the ones you’ve already installed. Other than that, it doesn’t include any configuration options.
The first time you launch Greasemonkey you’re presented with an introductory website which contains basic information and a link to Userscripts, where you can download scripts. Be sure to bookmark this site, as Greasemonkey doesn’t include a link to it anywhere.
Of course, you can also create your own scripts and use them with Greasemonkey – but that requires coding knowledge.
With Greasemonkey you can use hundreds of scripts to change the way popular websites look and behave.
Recent changes
Enhancements:
Script updates install automatically. (#1442)
In 0.9.12 we added update checking. In 0.9.13 updates install automatically, but there's still some discussion over how to handle this best (#1455), so checking is still not enabled by default. We hope to figure this out by the 0.9.14 release. Some other update related work was done, mostly to make Firefox 3 work better. (#1421, #1422, #1423)
Provide an Options item in the Monkey Menu. (#1447)
Add a Cancel button to the Options window. (#1454)
Bug fixes:
GM_getResourceText() was broken. (#1438)
You can properly select an application (bundle) for the editor on Mac OS X. (#1439)
Fix GM_openInTab() for Firefox 3. (#1444)
Fix when pages reassign the location during page load. (#1445)
Pros
Lots of different scripts available
Very easy to set up and use
Cons
Not many configuration options
No direct link to Userscript
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Greasemonkey is a Firefox extension that allows you to customize the way webpages look and function.
Hundreds of scripts are already available for free. And if you're the tinkerer sort, you can also write your own.
"An Add-on That Can Add Features To Websites"
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7.0
usability7
Stability7
Installation7
Functionality8
Appearance7
Greasemonkey can add added featues to your favorite sites through the use of scripts. There is pretty much a script for any site your looking for if you search the web. Some scripts simply remove ads from that one site or fix bugs the site has. It's useful for those who know how to use the scripts
The downsides to Greasemonkey are the fact Greasemonkey is a security risk in itself, hackers ca send malicious code into Firefox using Greasemonkey. Another downside is the fact the scripts aren't hosted by or tested by Mozilla, their instead on a third party site and any user can upload a script including those who upload malware.
I don't recommend Greasemonkey to most due to the security issues and the fact JetPack is being integrated into Firefox 4 and it does a lot of what Greasemonkey does but a lot of JetPacks scripts are hosted on Mozilla's site and JetPack is more secure than Greasemonkey.
So if you want an add-on that you can use scripts to make your surfing experience on websites better, try JetPack before moving onto Greasemonkey.
Pros
Using Scripts Can Make Sites Work The Way You Like
Doesn't Require A Reboot To Use The Scripts
Free
Cons
Hackers Infect Firefox Using Malicious Code Through Greasemonkey
Scipts Aren't Hosted On A Mozilla Site So Malware Can Be Uploaded By Users
JetPack Is Similar To Greasemonkey But A Lot Of Their Scripts Are Hosted On Mozilla.
Laws concerning the use of this software vary from country to country. We do not encourage or condone the use of this program if it is in violation of these laws.
Greasemonkey
