For a long time, now, I’ve been pinning my tabs in Google Chrome.
Fairly recently, I even started using separate users in Google Chrome, too.
Both of these moves have increased and streamlined my workflow, as I have a number of different logins depending on what I’m doing. However, by pinning multiple Gmail inboxes, social networks and web tools, the number of pins in my primary Google Chrome window was too much.
But that was the least of my worries …
Time management.
I found myself clicking through my pins to check-in. Check-in syndrome? Yes. I admit it. It’s true.
Here’s what I did to fix my … uh … problem:
Fluid
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By using Fluid, I could turn any online app and make it behave more like an actual Mac app. So, for instance, I setup one instance of Fluid to house my Gmail inboxes. Then, I created a Fluid instance that housed all of my social media.
To make things even cooler, you can add your own custom icon and it even notifies you like a native Mac app:
This can be done with any web tool:
- Gmail
- Google Reader
- Wunderlist
- Etc …
You can configure it with multiple tabs, or just fly solo.
Fluid is free, but for $4.99, here’s the added features:
- Create Fluid Apps with Separate Cookie Storage. (Preferences → Security → Cookie Storage)
- Pin Fluid Apps to the Mac OS X Status Bar. (Fluid App Menu → Pin to Status Bar…)
- Use Userscripts or Userstyles in your Fluid Apps. (Window → Userscripts)
- Use Lion Full Screen mode in your Fluid Apps. (View → Enter Full Screen)
Pretty slick, right?
I’m still playing around with the free version before making the dive. There are a few things about Fluid that I’m not real crazy about and it’s not real polished, so I’m still a little hesitant.
As for the function of Fluid, it has really kept me focused when I’m posting and working online, as my habitual click-through has been eliminated.
Learn more about Fluid and give it a try!
Cole Jennette says
LOVE this app. I’m a die hard command+tab user and when I started using all these in-browser apps, it really slowed me down. This has been amazing. I have one for my google contacts, calendar, docs, etc. It makes my dock a little overwhelming, but at least I can’t navigate quickly.
Eric Dye says
Exactly! I’m all about the fast nav!
Michael Hyatt says
I’ve used this app for quite a while. It’s awesome. I have apps for Google Calendar, HootSuite, TripIt, and WorkFlowy.
Eric Dye says
Looking at WorkFlowy right now. Looks awesome! Thank you, Michael. 🙂