Bit.ly is a URL shortener with stats and a social edge for those that like to share links around social messaging services or via IM but want to keep track of how many actual hits the link shared got and also to keep a score of the links shared. i would consider it the best URL shortener around.

And as you know. you can now use gadgets in gmail too. This is simply a bit.ly gmail gadget so you can also easily track your shared links via gmail too.  and that is a certainly useful gadget if you pass a lot of your day in your e-mail account.

Here is how to install it:   

Go to Settings > Labs
Scroll down to the very bottom and click the radio button to enable “Add any gadget by URL”
Click “Save Changes” at the bottom of the page
You should now have a gadgets tab at the top of the settings page. Click it.
In the “Add a gadget by its URL:” box paste this link:
http://hosting.gmodules.com/ig/gadgets/file/107368512201818821991/bitly-shortener.xml
Click “add” and you’re done.

via TNW via HackAddict.net