Google Chrome Plugins & Extensions Brief Overview

(pdf download) 2009-09-25 09:56:31

At the time of writing this Google Chrome Plugins are not yet supported on the stable release of Google Chrome (standard download). Therefore to develop or use any Plugins/Extensions one needs to download and install the developer's version, also known as the dev-channel. I have been using this for a couple of weeks now and I have had no issues with stability - well done Google Chrome Developer Team, unit testing has paid off!!! :).

Developing plugins for Google Chrome can not be easier. It uses the standard web tools: xhtml, css & javascript. It is even possible to use jQuery! Winner!!! The documentation is hard to find, but once found it is quite thorough (http://dev.chromium.org/getting-involved/dev-channel). Hopefully there will be more examples. There are already a number of websites out there with Forums & Plugins/Extensions to download regarding Google's Chrome browser. The install of Plugins/Extensions is not as simple as it will be - the package maanger is not fully functional yet, even on the latest development release, therefore files need to be unzipped & moved to the right location for Google Chrome to pick up the Plugin/Extension (with a runtime flag on the shortcut too).

My first Plugin/Extension is a custom toolbar with bookmarks & a quick search facility. This is very basic and not far from the example provided by Google's Chrome Developer section. Next I am working on a RSS feed reader - so we can keep up with all our latest tech & geek news... :).

More details will follow soon with an example of how to get started, the Plugins/Extensions I have built & how to install them. If anyone has any ideas for a good Google Chrome Plugin/Extension and wants to collaborate or just bounce ideas, let me know :). Also I will scope out some of these Community websites for Google Chrome and rate their effectiveness & community spirit.

Happy coding!!!