Free BitcoinTalk notification extension for Chrome & Opera

[BitcoinLucky]

Hello everyone!
 
Few weeks ago I decided to create an extension to make our life easier at Bitcointalk. This sends you a notification when you receive a PM, even when you're not on the site. You won't miss a single message anymore!


 
If there are any bugs don't be scared and just post a comment or PM me. Also, if you want a new feature I would love to get in touch with you.
 
At the moment the extension is only available for Google Chrome and Opera in the Google Chrome Webstore. It is free to download:
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/bitcointalk/cmjgajfcdgnahghegnegjiapoclkfcpp
 
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS: You don't have to log in in the extension. The extension automatically checks the PM-page every 2 minutes so you have to be logged in to receive notifications.
 
Greetings

[Mickeyb]

Is this thing safe to use? How to check it? If anybody more experienced around here can let us know.

I don't mean to offend you OP, just want to make sure. I know that a lot of nasty stuff can be found in these type of extension.



Edit: Thanks to Mitchell for confirming the source code and thanks to the OP for a great little extension!

[NorrisK]

Isn't it easier to just set email notifications? Everybody has their mail on push nowadays right? You can even read the full message in your mail..

[unamis76]

Source code?

Can you make this for sub-forum notifications on new topic?

[Mitchell]

Source code?

Can you make this for sub-forum notifications on new topic?

The source code from a Google Chrome extension can be extracted from the .crx file itself as it's just a glorified zip file.

[Pips]

Is this thing safe to use? How to check it? If anybody more experienced around here can let us know.

I don't mean to offend you OP, just want to make sure. I know that a lot of nasty stuff can be found in these type of extension.

I was wondering that as well. Mitchell mentioned that the source code is packed in the extension but honestly, I have no experience in coding so I wouldn't be able to check it.

[Mitchell]

Is this thing safe to use? How to check it? If anybody more experienced around here can let us know.

I don't mean to offend you OP, just want to make sure. I know that a lot of nasty stuff can be found in these type of extension.

I was wondering that as well. Mitchell mentioned that the source code is packed in the extension but honestly, I have no experience in coding so I wouldn't be able to check it.

I'll checkout the source code. Give me a second.

[Wapinter]

How safe is it? chrome extensions can be used to rewrite anything in the browser abd can also be used to inject JavaScript.It exposes our account to hacking

[Pips]

How safe is it? chrome extensions can be used to rewrite anything in the browser abd can also be used to inject JavaScript.It exposes our account to hacking

Here's a tip: look at above posts. In this case, look at the post directly above yours. Are you really in that much of a hurry to post?

I'll checkout the source code. Give me a second.

Thanks, Mitchell. I'll be waiting for your confirmation.

[Mitchell]

I've read the source files for the Bitcointalk extension and it's clean. It does only that what it says and nothing more. I downloaded the .CRX with the "Give Me CRX"-extension which gave me the file extension_1_0_1.crx (application/x-chrome-extension) with a size of 1354447 bytes and the hashes:

MD5   705dbe2507bd1e9cb5038aa3106e2500
SHA-1   c00291555f339f49beb66eaaffc775cbcbe80b8e
SHA-256   502090873ae11c4f57f524f461fe8ba32ad6d0c82d06d0000f2fea720297e7ef

It's pretty useful to be honest. I was sceptical at first, but I think I'm going to use this extension, instead of Gmail's popup. This is just as quick and this way I don't need to read a styleless version of the message.

[Pips]

I've read the source files for the Bitcointalk extension and it's clean. I downloaded the .CRX with the "Give Me CRX"-extension which gave me the file extension_1_0_1.crx (application/x-chrome-extension) with a size of 1354447 bytes and the hashes:

MD5   705dbe2507bd1e9cb5038aa3106e2500
SHA-1   c00291555f339f49beb66eaaffc775cbcbe80b8e
SHA-256   502090873ae11c4f57f524f461fe8ba32ad6d0c82d06d0000f2fea720297e7ef

Thanks again! I don't have the email notification enabled because I don't want the emails potentially clogging up my inbox with PMs (not that I get that amount of PMs atm anyways).

[Jeremycoin]

Finally, this is what I've been waiting for.
Can you add the notification for new replies?

[achow101]

Is it possible to reply straight from the extension? Or do I have to go to the messages page to reply and this only lets me know when I have been pmed?

[Mitchell]

Is it possible to reply straight from the extension? Or do I have to go to the messages page to reply and this only lets me know when I have been pmed?

You only get notified. Google Chrome doesn't let you reply instantly in a notification.

[Athertle]

Is it possible to reply straight from the extension? Or do I have to go to the messages page to reply and this only lets me know when I have been pmed?

You only get notified. Google Chrome doesn't let you reply instantly in a notification.

Yes. However, there is a button to send a PM back, according to the screenshot. Extension users, please correct me if I'm wrong (I've yet to try it out).

[Mitchell]

Yes. However, there is a button to send a PM back, according to the screenshot. Extension users, please correct me if I'm wrong (I've yet to try it out).

He asked if he could reply instantly. Pressing on a button to go to your inbox and then pressing another button to reply doesn't sound instantly to me. Anyway, yes, there is a button you can press to go to your inbox and to the correct message.

[goosoodude]

Is there a way to get this working on more than one account at once ? I'm not a fan of random addons to begin with, but it could
be quite useful. btw thanks for source code checkout mitchell, i was sure this is another cat in the bag before you posted.

[Athertle]

Yes. However, there is a button to send a PM back, according to the screenshot. Extension users, please correct me if I'm wrong (I've yet to try it out).

He asked if he could reply instantly. Pressing on a button to go to your inbox and then pressing another button to reply doesn't sound instantly to me. Anyway, yes, there is a button you can press to go to your inbox and to the correct message.

Sorry; I worded that incorrectly. I was saying "yes" in the manner of agreeing of what you said, which was that you couldn't reply instantly.

[achow101]

Yes. However, there is a button to send a PM back, according to the screenshot. Extension users, please correct me if I'm wrong (I've yet to try it out).

He asked if he could reply instantly. Pressing on a button to go to your inbox and then pressing another button to reply doesn't sound instantly to me. Anyway, yes, there is a button you can press to go to your inbox and to the correct message.

Thanks for clarifying. If I have time, I might try modifying it so that it is possible to reply in the notification directly.

[rinhunter]

you can make it for firefox?
I feel less comfortable with chrome & opera browser

[BitcoinLucky]

I've read the source files for the Bitcointalk extension and it's clean. It does only that what it says and nothing more. I downloaded the .CRX with the "Give Me CRX"-extension which gave me the file extension_1_0_1.crx (application/x-chrome-extension) with a size of 1354447 bytes and the hashes:

MD5   705dbe2507bd1e9cb5038aa3106e2500
SHA-1   c00291555f339f49beb66eaaffc775cbcbe80b8e
SHA-256   502090873ae11c4f57f524f461fe8ba32ad6d0c82d06d0000f2fea720297e7ef

It's pretty useful to be honest. I was sceptical at first, but I think I'm going to use this extension, instead of Gmail's popup. This is just as quick and this way I don't need to read a styleless version of the message.

Nice to see your feedback, Mitchell. Thanks for your time, and I hope you enjoy the extension!

[BitcoinLucky]

Finally, this is what I've been waiting for.
Can you add the notification for new replies?

Godd Idea, Jeremy!
Gonna work on it.

you can make it for firefox?
I feel less comfortable with chrome & opera browser

Not yet, Rinhunter. I will put some efforts on some other tips for the extension first.

[White sugar]

Another option is use an email only for this site use outlook or some app for android that will notify when you receive a new email

[tadakaluri]

Wow really great extension.  I like it very much.  It must be useful to me, as I am actively participate in BitcoinTalk.

[Mitchell]

I've read the source files for the Bitcointalk extension and it's clean. It does only that what it says and nothing more. I downloaded the .CRX with the "Give Me CRX"-extension which gave me the file extension_1_0_1.crx (application/x-chrome-extension) with a size of 1354447 bytes and the hashes:

MD5   705dbe2507bd1e9cb5038aa3106e2500
SHA-1   c00291555f339f49beb66eaaffc775cbcbe80b8e
SHA-256   502090873ae11c4f57f524f461fe8ba32ad6d0c82d06d0000f2fea720297e7ef

It's pretty useful to be honest. I was sceptical at first, but I think I'm going to use this extension, instead of Gmail's popup. This is just as quick and this way I don't need to read a styleless version of the message.

Nice to see your feedback, Mitchell. Thanks for your time, and I hope you enjoy the extension!

No problem. Here to help.

Yes. However, there is a button to send a PM back, according to the screenshot. Extension users, please correct me if I'm wrong (I've yet to try it out).

He asked if he could reply instantly. Pressing on a button to go to your inbox and then pressing another button to reply doesn't sound instantly to me. Anyway, yes, there is a button you can press to go to your inbox and to the correct message.

Thanks for clarifying. If I have time, I might try modifying it so that it is possible to reply in the notification directly.

You could try, but it can't be done using the chrome.notifications as they don't support input fields. You could create an alert box with an input box if you click on a button, but that would take a bit of fiddling around.

[ikydesu]

Interesting extension, can you make it for Mozilla Firefox?

Anyway the extension is detected the account which already log in on this forum? How if an account forum go offline?

[Patejl]

Just one thing I noticed, I dont think anything can be done about it but seems like you get all the notifs. at once when you newly install and start the extension , and other features would be good as well, maybe something like
1) If you don't answer in say 1 hr but you are online, the extension could message the guy who sent a PM like "I'm busy currently, I'll follow up your PM when I am back"
2) Marking threads important, and getting notifs.
Many more I think I can come up with just lemme get back from work to get this damn creative mind to come up with some ideas.

[Jerry S]

i always use mail notification, ill try this

[lorylore]

I am going to test this extension on my chrome, but i have a suggestion
Can you add a feature that alert if someone mention you for example in a post that include our nickname ".. lorylore ..."
Pretty same as the facebook mention notification. "You have been mention "here""

[DiscoverCebu]

I am going to test this extension on my chrome, but i have a suggestion
Can you add a feature that alert if someone mention you for example in a post that include our nickname ".. lorylore ..."
Pretty same as the facebook mention notification. "You have been mention "here""

Thats a good suggestion IMO, btw does this belong to the bitcoin discussion tho? I would say something like meta or service discussion would be better.

[Mitchell]

I am going to test this extension on my chrome, but i have a suggestion
Can you add a feature that alert if someone mention you for example in a post that include our nickname ".. lorylore ..."
Pretty same as the facebook mention notification. "You have been mention "here""

I doubt that this will be added as it would mean that the script would have to scan the whole forum, which is a lot of work. It's easier if something like that is added to the forum itself (maybe suggest it in the New Forum section?).

[RustyNomad]

Thanks for the extension OP and thanks to Mitchell for checking out the code.

Will be of great use.

[lorylore]

I am going to test this extension on my chrome, but i have a suggestion
Can you add a feature that alert if someone mention you for example in a post that include our nickname ".. lorylore ..."
Pretty same as the facebook mention notification. "You have been mention "here""

I doubt that this will be added as it would mean that the script would have to scan the whole forum, which is a lot of work. It's easier if something like that is added to the forum itself (maybe suggest it in the New Forum section?).

Yeah i understand it's a lots of work to scan even for a single member.
If the number of users is increasing to use this tool than it would take to long -> infinite to solve this kind of task, non-stop and lots of resources to be used.
It's better to be integrated in forum, Ok i am making a thread now in Meta -> New forum software, thank you.

[wearehatetherules]

there is no extension for firefox or palemoon browser??

[Mitchell]

there is no extension for firefox or palemoon browser??

No, as they don't have the chrome.* functions needed for this extension to work (nor do they support .crx). OP would have to rewrite the whole script before it can be used in another browser.
Sorry BitcoinLucky for posting this often in your thread. I'll be quiet if you want me to be.

[okae]

Isn't it easier to just set email notifications? Everybody has their mail on push nowadays right? You can even read the full message in your mail..

yep, also for me this is more usefull than that extension, since i can be informed even if im not at my computer, but you know if this extension is safe to use then should be welcome, more tools for our community

ty for your job!

[BitcoinLucky]

Multiple people have been asking for a FireFox version. I might rewrite the app for firefox later, but not for now.

I can't alert ppl when there is a new message in a topic. I should check all the topics then every minute, and I don't think the BT staff would like that... This would also take up a lot of bandwidth. If they would make a feature/API theirself it would be possible.

I might add a settings page where u can choose a new layout/autoreply to PMs.

there is no extension for firefox or palemoon browser??

No, as they don't have the chrome.* functions needed for this extension to work (nor do they support .crx). OP would have to rewrite the whole script before it can be used in another browser.
Sorry BitcoinLucky for posting this often in your thread. I'll be quiet if you want me to be.

And Mitchell, I appreciate your time here on the thread. I'm a kinda busy with the university atm.

[RoughLyfe]

It would be amazing if this was out for safari but eh,I can dream

[achow101]

Multiple people have been asking for a FireFox version. I might rewrite the app for firefox later, but not for now.

I can't alert ppl when there is a new message in a topic. I should check all the topics then every minute, and I don't think the BT staff would like that... This would also take up a lot of bandwidth. If they would make a feature/API theirself it would be possible.

Couldn't you just keep checking the user's watchlist and alert them when a new reply shows up in the watchlist?

[dogie]

I've found 2 other ways. Popup email notifier for Gmail on chrome, or auto-refresh a tab on Firefox to prompt the PM popup.

[BitcoinLucky]

It would be amazing if this was out for safari but eh,I can dream

Why don't u use chrome?

I've found 2 other ways. Popup email notifier for Gmail on chrome, or auto-refresh a tab on Firefox to prompt the PM popup.

Sounds a good solution..

[beder]

Seems a great extension. Just arrived the forum. I hope it helps my stay here!

[Blazed]

Going to check this out also. OP,you should toss up tip address 

[dogie]

(Screw the personal data farmer google).

Better Google than pretty much everyone else. At least Google is using it for advertising and trying to keep it out of the hands of the NSA. Unlike Microsoft who gives them a direct feed lmao.

[Panthers52]

(Screw the personal data farmer google).

Better Google than pretty much everyone else. At least Google is using it for advertising and trying to keep it out of the hands of the NSA. Unlike Microsoft who gives them a direct feed lmao.

I would rather that dogie (or some other random person with no ill intentions) to collect my data, and me know about it and have the opportunity to be aware about this possibility then my ignorance and some three-letter agency collecting my information without my knowledge.

Back on topic - I like this, but would prefer something that does not give control over my browser to an app (regardless of if I can confirm it is "safe" to use).

[beder]

Can anyone send me a PM please?

[smith coins]

Can anyone send me a PM please?

I have sent you a pm, please let me know if you got notified by this extension.

[smith coins]

I have sent you a pm, please let me know if you got notified by this extension.

Yes! I got it notifiec by the extension! xD
Thanks for the test msg m8

beder tested it and works good Glad to hear that you are satisfied Thumbs up for this extension.

[Hazir]

Great extension but, Waiting for Firefox version.

(Screw the personal data farmer google).

If you think your are free from prying eyes of data farmers just by using Firefox, think again. It does not matter which browser you are using anymore.
Back to the topic, it is nice idea Op to create this type of extension but I am not sure how needed it is, if you are logging to bitcointalk everyday it seems quite redundant imo.

[gampher]

Installed. Thankyou, Seems good.

[beder]

we want more functions!

[tarsua]

Great extension but, Waiting for Firefox version.

(Screw the personal data farmer google).

If you think your are free from prying eyes of data farmers just by using Firefox, think again. It does not matter which browser you are using anymore.
Back to the topic, it is nice idea Op to create this type of extension but I am not sure how needed it is, if you are logging to bitcointalk everyday it seems quite redundant imo.

firefox doesnt automatically send your data to them
with chrome you dont even know
looks interesting, waiting for firefox version

[beder]

I don't think you will have a firefox version, tarsua.
The owner dont answer anymore!

[BitcoinLucky]

Sorry for been offline for so long..
I had so many things to do on university and I didn't have time to login.
I'm back now!
Gonna put some efforts to add few things on the extension!
But I've to say to people who want it for FireFox.. I won't do it now!

[ValentinJesse]

While the developer may be well-intentioned, there's still a great amount of risk you are taking in using this or any other extension, because they can be easily updated to a new version without you ever being notified about it.

Learned my lesson after having to deal with a Bitcoin Ticker that was automatically replacing the withdrawal addresses in various exchanges to the ones pointed out in the extension. I was on the verge of losing everything.

If you want to use it, at least install this:

Extensions Update Notifier
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/extensions-update-notifie/nlldbplhbaopldicmcoogopmkonpebjm?hl=en

or

Install the Chrome extension source viewer from the Chrome webstore
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/chrome-extension-source-v/jifpbeccnghkjeaalbbjmodiffmgedin/related

1 - Download a specific version of a Chrome extension.

2 - Go to your extensions folder in Chrome, turn on Developer Mode, and click on the options link below Chrome extension source viewer

3 - Open the viewer

4 - Open the recently downloaded "insertname" file

5 - Click "Download" in the upper left corner. Finder will open showing you a null folder that contains the "insertname" logo, a javascript file, and the manifest.

6 - Open the Manifest JSON file (Any text editor will do)

7 - Change the update url (found in quotations) to http://127.0.0.1 (you own local machine IP) and save the file

8 - Optional: Go to the Chrome Developer tools and choose to pack a chrome extension to create a .crx file again.

9 - Drag the entire null folder or the .crx file (with the newly edited manifest file) into your Chrome Extensions page with developer mode turned on.