Browser add-on makes Flickr's galleries faster

Browser add-on Flickr Gallery Plus adds extended functionality to Flickr's set view, allowing users to click through to see full versions of each shot without having to reload the page. Once installed it will go out and pre-fetch the larger sized version of each shot, making big sets a cinch to speed through. This includes the addition of keyboard shortcuts (something you can't get in Flickr without a Greasemonkey script) which lets you go back and forth between shots using your arrow keys.

In addition to its thumbnail optimizer, the add-on includes a simple slideshow viewer that doesn't attempt to replace Flickr's own gorgeous slideshow tool. Instead, it simply fades together the pre-fetched pictures without leaving the page. You can set how long you want each photo to be displayed, anywhere from one to five seconds.

If you're a heavy Flickr user this extension is definitely worth the download as it will cut your page loads in half. It retains Flickr's slideshow tools and its same navigation; you also have the option to turn it on and off from a setting at the bottom of your browser.

Note: As with all experimental Firefox add-ons, you must be registered with Mozilla's Firefox add-ons site to download it. It's also available as a Greasemonkey script.

Flickr Gallery Plus lets you go back and forth between shots with your keyboard's arrow keys. It also pre-fetches each image--letting you load it without the page re-loading.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

[Drewber]

The problem with the addon is that the slideshow function starts whether you want it to or not. I finally had to uninstall it because the preloader couldn't catch up with the script so the thumbnail highlight was scrolling and the view frame was blank. The add-on is a great idea but still some kinks to work out...I guess that's why its still in the experimental phase eh?

[Josh.Lowensohn]

Really? Working fine for me.

Try turning off "autorun" in the add-on settings.

[JimmyT--2008]

Or you could just move your photos to SmugMug and not have to mess with plugins or scripts to get a decent browsing experience with more thumbs and a larger main photo.

[jbaker071]

Suprising that Flickr hasn't enabled pre-chacheing on their site. It's a pretty simple javascript thing?

[f0r0ne]

Is it any better than Cooliris? That works with Google image search pages and other supporting sites, as well as Flickr.

[robnyman]

Hi,

I'm Robert Nyman, the developer of Flickr Gallery Plus!
Thanks for the mentioning, Josh, highly appreciated!

At the moment, it is in a testing phase, where I gather feedback and try to iron out any possible kinks. If you want to give me any feedback, my contact information is available here: http://www.robertnyman.com/contact/

Drewber,

I think it's a delicate balance between preloading, chosen slide time and Internet connection speed. If you have a fast connection, I recommend the preloading option, but otherwise it's a good idea to uncheck it because it will stall the page with slow connections. When you load the page, however, the actual slideshow should never automatically start, so my hope is that isn't what happened.

JimmyT--2008,

I agree that SmugMug has very beautiful galleries, and me myself, I use both Flickr and SmugMug. However, the intention with Flickr Gallery Plus! is just not for your own images, but rather about viewing anyone's images on Flickr in a more convenient manner.

jbaker071,

I guess it's about bandwidth usage, user experience and such. I do think that their photo set page could improve, though, hence my add-on. :-)

f0r0ne,

Flickr Gallery Plus! and Cooliris are very different things. Cooliris is about creating their 3D wall, sliding back and forth etc, while Flickr Gallery Plus! is about extending what's already there, and respecting the existing Flickr interface and design.

In my book, they rather complement each other, than compete.

[alexwilks88]

It's a shame Opera isn't plugin-friendly really, as this is one of the very few addons I'd be interested in. Hopefuly the keyboard controls will be built into Flickr in due time.

[robnyman]

alexwilks88,

It's interesting that you mention this. :-)
While Opera lacks the same plug-in model like Firefox, they do allow custom scripts to be ported to work.

Therefore, I've modified my Greasemonkey script to have a version working with Opera as well. It can be downloaded here:

http://code.google.com/p/flickrgalleryplus/downloads/list

What you need to make it work is just to add a folder to your Preferences where Opera should look for custom scripts. Go to Preferences > Advanced > Content > JavaScript options, and choose a suitable location (this process is described more in detail at http://www.opera.com/browser/tutorials/userjs/using/).

Good luck!