Tampermonkey: Make TM easier for script users (not developers)

[jb222]

Some potential users of my usability script are having difficulties starting with Tampermonkey. I must admit, even as the coder of a userscript, I sometimes feel intimidated by TM's Settings and Utilities tabs. Maybe the dashboard is focused too much on advanced developers instead of users who have no interest in writing or changing scripts?

For example, currently I advise new users to paste my script after opening the + tab, which is not really an elegant way. The "Import from URL" field (which IMHO is the logical start when you're new to TM) is hard to find, on the bottom of the Utilities tab, underneath several "export" options. Maybe importing and exporting scripts should be separated in different tab. Also, hiding the Settings, Utilities and even the Help tabs in Beginner mode would probably be helpful for n00bs (I'm not sure of the + tab).

What doesn't help either, while importing TM says the userscript may be malicious without explaining why it thinks it is (it isn't). ;-)

So, my suggestion is: maybe differentiate between a User mode and (several) Developer modes?

[momocow]

For example, currently I advise new users to paste my script after opening the + tab, which is not really an elegant way.

You can provide a link ending with .user.js to your users.

Once the browser has TamperMonkey installed, opening a link ending with .user.js will trigger the installation confirmation like the image below. Note that TamperMonkey also remembers the link as the default update URL if its not provided in the userscript.

So my instructions to my users will be sth like these:

1. Install and enable TamperMonkey on your browser.
2. (Provide a link or a button at the second step for them to just click to install.)

BTW the "raw" button on GitHub can also trigger TamperMonkey installation if the file extension is .user.js, you can go and have a try.

[jb222]

I have a raw link to Pastebin, which unfortunately doesn't work that way.
So I guess I'll switch to GitHub. Thanks!

[momocow]

I guess the raw link to Pastebin does not end with .user.js so TamperMonkey cannot recognize it.

To host your scripts, I guess you have not read about this doc, there are several sites for you to share your scripts, just take a look at them, or you can even host scripts on you own server.

In short, .user.js file extension is the point!

[jb222]

I guess the raw link to Pastebin does not end with .user.js so TamperMonkey cannot recognize it.

Exactly. I read the doc long ago...
I am learning! GitHub seems perfect.

Still, I stand with my original question, the TM interface is somewhat intimidating if you aren't a coder. Maybe time for a "TM player"?