A minimal, anti-social theme for Google Reader

Helvetireader²

Helvetireader is a hosted user stylesheet for Google Reader served via a user-script. It aims to make the interface a clean, minimal experience where you're not assaulted by an array of colours, social features and buttons (using Shortcuts instead). It's designed for people who just read the latest entries in expanded view without all the other gubbins.

All you need is a browser that supports userscripts (see below) and, of course, Helvetica.

Latest Development

Helvetireader is an unfinished, ongoing project. Follow it on Twitter to know when you need to refresh, and use @replies to send feedback

    How to use the theme

    Install as a userscript for Firefox with Greasemonkey, Google Chrome (installs as an extension) or any Webkit browser (Safari, Omniweb etc.) with GreaseKit installed. For Opera, download the userscript to your user javascript folder.

    The Helvetireader user script is ideal for using with Fluid.app or Mozilla Prism to create a standalone application. There's even a Fluid App Icon you can use.

    To uninstall, it can be easily disabled in Greasemonkey, Greasekit and Google Chrome's extension tab. In Opera, you'll have to delete the original file.

    Just the CSS

    If you use a browser that doesn't support userscripts, or you want to customise it, download the CSS file. Camino users, please see the setup instructions. For general instructions on how to apply custom CSS to a site, read this post on Hicksdesign

    FAQs

    Before asking on Twitter, please check here first!

    How do I update?

    As the theme is hosted, all you need to do is clear your browser cache and refresh.

    Hey, where’s the Next button?!!

    Just press j. Press ? (Shift+/) to see all the keyboard shortcuts.

    Where's … feature? Can I have it back?

    It's gone! Helvetireader hides all the social and recommendation functions, along with others like trends. If you need these, you're better off without Helvetireader.

    Google Chrome says you’re going to access all my personal data!

    If you get this warning: "This extensions will have to access to your private data on all websites". It does nothing of the sort! It looks like I will have to make a proper chrome extension to get around this problem.

    The bottom looks weird!

    Google Reader uses javascript to work out position of the footer, all you need to do is refresh (press R) and it will be fine.

    Helvetireader is a Hicksdesign creation.