Select text by habit when reading? Add background dimming or use softer selection shapes for better readability.

Latest Version

Version
8
Update
March 4, 2014
Size
30.77KiB
Developer
Category
Users
4
Rating
2 ★
Manifest Version
2
Web Store Status
Languages Support
English (UK)
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Permissions
Storage
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Fokal Extension

Fokal replaces your browsers text selection highlight with a visual upgrade that is easier on the eyes.

Most prominent feature is the ability to dim the background to emphasise your selection.

You can customize the shapes and visual appearance of your highlighting. The background dimmer can be changed individually from the sharp text highlight.

The extension uses a fullscreen HTML5 Canvas and will attempt to emulate the shape of your browsers selection as efficiently and accurately as possible, so that it works in a way that is very familiar to you already.

Nexii (the developer) has been using this for more than half a year and swears by it. By no means perfect, but once you use it you won't go back :)

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Version 8
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- Updated shape algorithms (Rounding works somewhat better)
- Added and enabled Selection settings
-- Similar to background dim settings, but you can also change line width
- Fixed selection colour


Version 7
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- Newer options backend
- Enabled Dim settings
- Added padding. You can control how far or close the background dim is
- Added blur. You can now blur the background dim, to avoid harsh edges

Version 4
--------
- Improved algorithm
- Hide Fokal when using right-click context menu, to avoid “Inspect” mode accidentally hitting the Fokal canvas
- Disabled all options temporarily while coming up with newer settings menu
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Source Manifest.json

{"update_url": "https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx","manifest_version": 2,"name": "Fokal","description": "Select text by habit when reading? Add background dimming or use softer selection shapes for better readability.","version": "8","icons": {"128": "fokal.png"},"permissions": ["storage"],"content_scripts": [{"matches": [ "http://*/*", "https://*/*" ],"js": [ "fokal.js" ]}],"options_page": "options.html"}
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How to download and manually install Fokal extension for Chrome

Looking for a way to install Fokal extensions for Chrome, you can search for them in the Chrome Web Store, clicking the "Add to Chrome" button, and following the straightforward process.

However, you may need to install Fokal extensions manually, this article outlines two simple methods to effortlessly install Fokal extensions, whether they come as unpacked folders in compressed formats like .zip or as .crx files.

Method 1: Download Fokal extension and manually install through Drag &Drop

If you ever need to manually install a Fokal extension for Chrome, don't worry, it's a simple process. Just follow these easy steps, and you will have your extension ready to use in no time.

Step 1: Download the Fokal Extension by clicking the "Download CRX" button on the website.

Look for the Fokal extension you wish to install. Go to the website and download the Fokal extension package, which is usually a .CRX file and comes in a zipped file. Here ".crx" file is the format for Fokal extension that contains all the data.

Step 2: Extract &Arrange Files

Once the file is downloaded, extract that file into its own folder. Similarly, give that extension files a permanent home. In other words, keep it in a folder that you don't accidentally delete it because these files will be needed to make that extension work.

Step 3: Go to the Chrome Extensions Page

Open Google Chrome and in the address bar, type chrome://extensions; it will open the Google Chrome extensions page. Make sure that "My extensions" is selected in the sidebar.

Step 4: Drag and Drop the Extension

Now, go to the folder where you extracted the Fokal extension and drag &drop the extension file from there anywhere onto the extension page within Google Chrome.

Step 5: Complete the Installation

Once you drag and drop the extension file, follow the steps that Google Chrome takes you through. Similarly, if the extension file is of .crx file format, you will be required to review the permissions and then add the extension.

Now, you can manage that added extension as you would like to with any other Chrome extension that you added through Chrome Webstore. Its icon will also appear in the Google Chrome Menu on the right side of the address bar once you activate it.

Method 2: Download Fokal extension for Chrome and install in Developer Mode

This is another method to install Fokal extension manually, but the twist is that here, you install by enabling the developer mode option provided in Google Chrome. This mode is commonly used for testing extensions or running unpublished tools.

Step 1: Download the Fokal extension file

Select and download the Fokal extension by clicking the 'Download CRX' button on the website.

Step 2: Extract the downloaded contents

Convert the file to a ZIP file if it is in CRX format then extract the Fokal extension zip file or folder that you downloaded. Make sure you extract it using the same folder name and keep it safely in another folder, so you don't delete it by mistake. The extracted folder will be needed to keep your Fokal extension running.

Step 3: Open Chrome Extension Setting Page

In the address bar of Google Chrome, type chrome://extensions and open the Chrome Extension Page.

Step 4: Enable Developer Mode

After opening the Chrome Extension page, look at the top right side, and you will find the toggle option of "Developer mode."Simply enable that developer mode option.

Step 5: Load the Unpacked Extension

Once you enable the developer mode option, you will see the menu of Load Unpacked, Pack Extensions and Update. From that, select the option "Load unpacked."

Step 6: Select the Extension Folder

Once the pop-up opens upon clicking Load unpacked, select the Fokal extension directory and click on the "Select Folder "button.

Step 7: Confirm and Install

After you select an extension folder of a Google Chrome extension you're installing manually, confirm its installation for the final time and let the installation complete.

Conclusion

Here we've made a step-by-step guide on How to manually install Fokal extension in 2 ways. We hope this guide proves helpful.

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User reviews

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Никита Гучаков (ID: 000000e2c6b8a90b) Voted 2 ★ - Updated 01/26/2019 It's definitely what Im looking for in idea point of view. But it's unusable for now:( Old selection is does kill all the benefits from that plugin. On some sites, like duckduckgo search page selection is randomly. Also it would be greate to have multi-selection. (Don't forget add custom shortcut, cause ctrl+click does appears as right click on mac:))

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F. Ly. (ID: 00000093321a87f2) Voted 2 ★ - Updated 07/03/2015 Good thought - bad realization: cancels 'copy' in the context menu