This week we spoke with Alex Wolkov from extensionizr.com fame on Chrome extensions and how/when/why you should use them. During these 30min we covered these main points:

• What is it an extension? If you wish to add functionality to the web app/sites you like? Well, this is the way to do it while using your front-end knowledge (HTML, JS, CSS) to add features to web app/sites that you are working with.
• What about compatibility with other browsers? Crossrider.com (another startup from Israel) provide you wish this functionalty. We showed them in this GDL-IL Extension show
• What are the best tools?
  • MV* frameworks
    • Almost whatever you use in your day to day development.
    • Angular.js with scp setting
  • CSS grids
    • Twitter bootstrap
    • Any other grids you like – In most cases it should work nicely.
    • jQueryMobile have some ‘corner cases’ that you will need to pay attention.
• How to develop an extension quickly?
  • extensionizr.com – allows you to create a bootstrap for your chrome extension manifest file with a couple of clicks.
  • If you like to fork a github repo and go from there – check out: http://softwareas.com/chrome-boilerplate
• How to debug extensions – page/browser action
  • Enable developer mode
  • about:inspect
  • Right click -> inspect element
• Chrome Web Store Tips
  • We walk on that developer dashboard and show what are the main points to pay attention.
  • Like in other market places, you want all the images to be no less then AMAZING. Plus, try with a 30sec video that explain the users why the extension (or app) is a ‘must have’.
• Alex shared 3 extensions
  • Adblock plus
  • Currently – replaces home page
  • 1password/lastpass.

Lots of good tips and points for developers that wish to be more productive in their next extension and/or chrome app.

I hope you will enjoy the conversation as much as I did.

Happy new year!