Never Read Partial Feeds Again with this Google Reader GreaseMonkey Script

I was browsing around Sphinn when I came across across a Greasemonkey script which allows you view the actual webpage from any site within a frame in your feed.

What this means is that you’ll get to see and post comments directly to any blog from Google Reader and more importantly, read the entire article even if it is a partial or truncated feed.

I’ve just installed the script and tested it. It works beautifully and I was able to easily view the full content of some blogs running partial feeds. Here are some screen shots of the tool in action on Aaron Wall’s blog.

The top picture shows the Preview button right at the bottom of the feed window and the second picture shows the actual webpage being put on a frame within Google Reader itself.

Benefits of Using this Greasemonkey Script

The obvious benefit here is that you don’t have to click over to the actual website to read the full article, nor do you have to visit the article just to leave a comment. Very useful if you subscribe to a lot of blogs, with some of them running partial feeds.

Some bloggers run partial feeds because they don’t want their content to be stolen by feed scrappers. This script will let readers easily access site content while still allowing blog owners to defend against feed plagiarism.

However, some of you might not like this script because it drastically reduces the incentive for any reader to visit your site. I actually don’t think that its a bad thing at all because it should encourage more discussion and interaction in the long run.

How do I set up this Greasemonkey Script?

Here’s what you need to do to install the script.

1. Visit and Download the Firefox browser
2. Install the Greasemonkey extension
3. Visit this page and install the Google Reader Preview Greasemonkey Script.
4. A ‘Preview‘ link will show up in the bottom right corner of your feed window.

And you’re all set..

It’ll work like a charm but if there are any problems, try to leave a comment or query on the greasemonkey script page.

While you’re still in the mood for installing Firefox extensions, you might want to check out or install Sparky, the long overdue Alexa Toolbar for Firefox. This Toolbar will allow you to check the Alexa Rank of websites you visit and will improve the Alexa Rank of your own site as well.

I’ve previously written about the Alexa Rank and its impact on the amount of money you can make from your site. If you’re interested in reading more, check out the full article on how to improve your Alexa Rank.

Let me know what you think about this Google Reader Greasemonkey script. I happen to think that its absolutely fabulous because it makes it so much easier to read the partial feeds or comment on other blogs. ^_^

(Thanks Derick, for pointing out the script!)