Google Chrome dev channel: Extensions now turned on by default

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Extensions Status: On the Runway, Getting Ready for Take-Off

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Good news for extension developers: as of today, extensions are turned on by default on Google Chrome's dev channel.

Extensions are small pieces of software that developers can write to customize the way Google Chrome works. We've been working on enabling extensions for a while, but until now, they were hidden behind a developer flag. As of today, this is no longer true. If you're on the dev channel, you can try installing some of our sample extensions.

Removing the flag is the first step in our launch process, and it means we're ready for a few more people to start using extensions-- the kind of adventurous people who populate the dev channel. For this release, we focused on getting most of the basic infrastructure and security pieces in place, in particular our new permission system. However, you should still be cautious and only install extensions from developers you trust.

Going forward, we are working hard towards a release on the Beta Channel. The UI is likely to change as we bring it up to Google Chrome's high standard, and we're still finishing up a few APIs. We've also enlisted some help to get extensions up to speed on Mac and Linux.

From the beginning, we've strived to make extensions super easy to develop. If you'd like to give it a try, you'll find everything you need to get started in our brand new documentation. If you've already written an extension, make sure to read this post about some recent changes.

News source: The Chromium Blog

[Growled Member]

If developers get behind extensions, I think Chrome will really take off. This is a good first step.

[Zer0_II]

  Growled said:

If developers get behind extensions, I think Chrome will really take off. This is a good first step.

I agree with you, and I hope we're both right. As soon as they release a few more essential extensions I foresee Chrome replacing Opera as my browser of choice. If developers create even a third of the amount of extensions that have been created for Firefox then I think Chrome will take a huge chunk of the browser market share. Although I think it is unlikely that it will dethrone IE as the browser which most people use, due to the fact that Microsoft is able to bundle it with Windows, I see it replacing Firefox as the most popular alternative to IE within a few years. Chrome simply can't be messed with in terms of speed right now, and Google is in a better position than Mozilla to push their product to the masses.

[theclueless]

yet they still dont have the option to clear history and cache on exit... impossible to use chrome when you share the computer with 4 other people

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

  theclueless said:

yet they still dont have the option to clear history and cache on exit... impossible to use chrome when you share the computer with 4 other people

Wrench icon -> 'New window in Incognito mode'

Really difficult to find option, I know...

[Growled Member]

  theclueless said:

yet they still dont have the option to clear history and cache on exit... impossible to use chrome when you share the computer with 4 other people

Are they working on that? Even in an extension?

[Zer0_II]

  theclueless said:

yet they still dont have the option to clear history and cache on exit... impossible to use chrome when you share the computer with 4 other people

There are a few alternative methods you can use, although you're right, a built in option to clear the history and cache on exit would be beneficial. As someone else already mentioned, browsing in Incognito Mode will prevent Chrome from saving your browsing history/cache. If you would like to always start and run Chrome in Incognito mode you can add --incognito to your shortcut for Chrome, so it should look like this:

C:\Users\<your user name>\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe --incognito

You can also use CCleaner to do this. The newer version has an option to clear Chrome's history/cache. I know that using a 3rd party solution such as CCleaner, or running your browser in Incognito mode isn't the same as clearing your history/cache on exit; however, it will allow you to use Chrome without your family being aware of your online activity.

[thealexweb]

For me Chrome is good enough to be my backup browser. Once it gets mainstream addons I will look again but until then it won't replace Firefox.