ILI2005 - presentation - Web Browser Extensions

I did the presentation using live changes to Firefox using extensions from the Internet, which has its pluses and minuses.  I didn't want to do recorded/screencasted because that approach can make things look too smooth and easy, in my opinion.  Some things worked, some things didn't.  Most of the information is in the Web Browser Extensions wiki page (which you are welcome to contribute to).  Here's the presentation itself.

Download how_to_enhance_access_with_browser_extensions.ppt

The main points not on the slides:
- to start providing web browser extensions the main skill sets are HTML and JavaScript
- if you want to create advanced Firefox extensions like toolbars and sidebars you also need to learn the Firefox XUL language
- advanced extensions are still fairly beta, there are dependencies on Firefox versions,

If you're deploying extensions you do have some ability to push out new versions automatically.
If you're just doing search plugins, or bookmarklets, you don't have that ability.

There are definitely challenges in terms of user deployment, you might start out deploying to library workstations.

In order to create you may need a collaboration between the IT and library groups, as there is some coding required, however you don't necessarily need a strong coding background to create simple extensions.

CISTI has a beta site called CISTI Lab which has some of our extensions.
Probably there are things that aren't working, so please let me know if you encounter problems.

Comments

[Gianluca Drago]

Hi Richard,
I'm sorry I couldn't be there in London to attend your presentation. Surely I missed a good occasion for an exchange of professional and cultural experiences in the field. I'll keep on reading all the news about ILI2005 from your weblog and your wiki.
I wish also to thank you for having cited me and Maldura Toolbar in your slides!