When I try to install them, however, they seem to want more information than I would think was relevant for the purpose they are supposed to serve.
The Chrome Editor - which allows me to edit HTML within the browser (which is a really cool feature) - wants to access my browsing history. Huh? Why? Fig. 1 shows the dialog for the the Chrome Editor installation.
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| Fig 1 - Chrome Editor installation dialog - it needs my browsing history??? |
I thought that was a bit odd, till I tried installing the Speed Tracer. The Speed Tracer - which helps profile execution of client-side components of a web-applications - seems to want to access all of the data on my hard disk. Whoa! Fig. 2 shows the installation dialog for the Speed Tracer.
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| Fig. 2 - Speed Tracer installation dialog - data about the websites I visit I can understand the extension will need, but what in the world will it do with all the data on my computer? |
I think I understand Google's dilemma - they are playing safe.
The speed tracer probably needs RW access to my hard disk and to ensure they don't lay themselves open to liability, they are perhaps taking a pervasive stand by asking for permission to access "All data on my computer", but seriously, isn't this a little overboard?
Likewise, the Chrome Editor likely needs a handle into my browsing history to edit a page and/or render a document I have just created, but seeking access to "All my browsing history" is something I cannot understand.
Can someone explain this gluttony for information? It is a little difficult to digest. Pun intended.
