+1 it here if you find it useful:

https://plus.google.com/105349419062025895238/posts/LwzR4aJV...

The irony.

Here's my minimal version. It contains no JavaScript; it only uses the manifest to inject CSS.

https://github.com/benatkin/g-- https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/elkedplmbnnbofcldj...

BlockPlus sounds neat too, but I don't mind the HTTP requests and I find Google Plus no more distracting than my email. Right now I only need this for when I'm searching for programming documentation online, and so I only have it hiding the notification on www.google.com.

Add in a few more subdomains to cover the other Google apps (docs and mail are the most important ones to me) and I'll probably switch over to your plugin instead (I mean who needs configuration options?). Also be sure to add 'all_frames' to 'content_scripts' or it won't work in Gmail.

Feel free to copy my technique.

I made a Safari extension that hides the notification area on www.google.com too.

https://github.com/benatkin/quietgsearch

Like the google one, it didn't involve writing any JavaScript. I just had to specify the name of the css file in the metadata.

Google tries to get developers to put their extensions, no matter how trivial, in the Chrome Web Store. Apple, on the other hand, requires developers to sign up for the Safari Developer Program, get a digital certificate, and sign their extensions. Apple does have a Safari Extension Gallery, but their approach is different:

> Safari Developer Program members can submit their Safari extensions to be considered for the Safari Extensions Gallery.

exactly the same as my plugin from the other day:

http://nikcub.appspot.com/blockplus-a-browser-extension-to-b...

except mine only attaches itself to google.com requests, not every single tab and page (not sure why they did that)

There are a lot of Google TLDs ;-)

It flickers. Is there anyway to inject CSS in the head of web pages with chrome extensions before the body loads?

I implemented a more minimal version of this extension that doesn't have the flicker issue.

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/elkedplmbnnbofcldj...

Yes there is. My own extension that does this, BlockPlus, actually blocks the HTTP requests rather than just hiding the elements on the page:

http://nikcub.appspot.com/blockplus-a-browser-extension-to-b...

It already has over 5k installs and is working well. I am adding options to let the user refine which is blocked where.

That's actually a pretty good idea...

It definitely solves a problem - it'd be nice to see a version that simply toned down the notification a little though, so that it's less distracting. That way you can still use the integration when you want to.

It would be much nicer if google implemented it as an option, which should be the default.

Would have saved me time!

This is the best extension name. Ever.