You can now download CustomNewTab 0.2 !
Download now ! (Click on Download File)
mirror1
mirror2

NOTE : Keep in mind that extension support is still only supported in Chrome 2.0 +
To get it, switch to the DEV channel. Instructions here.

Features :
- CustomNewTab is now packaged as a .crx
- New user interface for easier customization
- Compatible with Chrome 2.0.180
- Bug fixes

To install, close all Chrome windows and double click the .crx
Then, start Chrome using a shortcut where target is

Code:

"PATH_TO_CHROME.EXE" --enable-extensions

PATH_TO_CHROME.EXE should already be there in your shortcut, all you need to add is --enable-extensions

This is what it should look like : ( you can also put PATH_TO_CHROME.EXE between quotes )


To verify if everything is working properly, navigate to

Code:

chrome://extensions/

You should see CustomNewTab there.
You also see at all times a little button at the bottom of your screen.

Configuring CustomNewTab

CustomNewTab's icon is a blue cross (located at the bottom of your screen).
Clicking on the icon will redirect you to CustomNewTab's Dashboard.
This is where you can select how you want your New Tab page to look like.

Dashboard :


Follow the instructions, copy and paste the generated XML to your user_directory/extensions/AAAA[...]AAA2/ folder (there should already be a default config.xml located there) and voilÃ* !

No need to restart Chrome for the changes to take effect.

Note: As of Chrome v2.0.180 it is not possible for extensions to write permanent information/configuration on your computer. This is the reason why you need to copy and paste the config.xml manually. As soon as client-side storage becomes available, I will update the extension.


As usual, I really appreciate feedback.
If you have any issues / bug / comments, I'd like to hear them !

Thanks for taking the time to read this,

Kyrax

Clicked on download, new tab opened, loading then screen sort of blinked then got a blank page ...

Hmm, you mean you weren't able to download the file ?

I uploaded it on another web site..
http://www.easy-share.com/1905222951...ewTab_v0_2.crx
and yet another web site..
http://sharesend.com/dgn1j

Yep, as I say just got a blank page ...

Other link worked OK ...

Will have a play when I've finished watching this film ...

Like the Dashboard :-D

I've given it a good test and have to say I'm more than impressed ...

Love the Dashboard :-)

Just a couple of thoughts ...

If you choose the Redirect option can you automatically tick the 'Hide' boxes, I know it doesn't make any difference to the functionality, just for completeness really.

On the Embed option obviously the embed area is fixed, is there ant way of changing it?

I know its in the documentation, but why does the name have to be such a long string of characters instead of something meaningful, the first thing I do is rename it (so I know which extension is which) !!!

Lastly, I'll have a little bet with you that as good as it is (and it really is good IMO) someone moans about the toolstrip at the bottom taking up screen space !!

Kyrax, once again 'your the man' :-D

Originally Posted by StevePaul

I've given it a good test and have to say I'm more than impressed ...

Love the Dashboard :-)

Thanks !

Just a couple of thoughts ...

If you choose the Redirect option can you automatically tick the 'Hide' boxes, I know it doesn't make any difference to the functionality, just for completeness really.

Good idea.. ! I think that I'll simply hide the " hide X " section if you choose redirect to another page.

On the Embed option obviously the embed area is fixed, is there ant way of changing it?

Sure there is a way of changing that.. I can look into it. What kind of options would you like ? Some kind of window that you can move around ?

Lastly, I'll have a little bet with you that as good as it is (and it really is good IMO) someone moans about the toolstrip at the bottom taking up screen space !!

Yeah.. I know about the toolstrip taking place. Sadly, it is not possible to use most of the API without using a toolstrip and I cannot add any UI in another place.

Kyrax, once again 'your the man' :-D

Thanks a lot for the kind words

Awesome work Kyrax.

If you have Adsweep enabled the first download link you provided will be blank. I disabled adsweep and then it loaded and I was able to download just fine

Works like a champ! However I chose to use the original version still because of the toolstrip on the bottom

You also might want to note that this might ONLY be compatible with 2.0.180.0 because of the change in the new tab and extension urls.

**Edit** Also I'm not sure if it's just me, but I think your older version was published as 0.3. Am I missing something?

I thought about it, what about adding a bookmark that loads your configuration page instead of the button on the toolstrip? That way at least it's hidden. I'd definitely reinstall it that way.

Don't think compatabilty will be a problem as anyone using the original will be on the Dev channel anyway ..

@Kyrax

Like your thoughts on Redirect ...

The Embed option, I'll go with what you think, as I don't personally use it (it was just a question really)...

The one thing I meant to mention was the fact that the changes take place on the 'fly' so therefore you don't have to keep going in and out of Chrome to see the effect ...

What I did to test it was have the Config doc open alongside the Dashboard and just keep changing the options and opening a New Tab to see the effect :-)

You can't have everything, said the toolstrip would be an issue ...

Mind you there's always F11 :-D

@StevePaul

Not necessarily, I seem to remember a few posts about someone telling people how to roll back dev versions because of problems with extensions *wink wink*

But true, I just thought a note saying what version it was designed to work on would avoid those "help I can't make it work" posts where people aren't using the most recent build.