Installing and using a bookmarklet extension

Introduction

With a mixture of browsers being used at Universities, and with the limitation that some browsers places on support for javascript bookmarklets, Talis has been reviewing the process of bookmarking and how we can work around these limitations. This has led us to develop extensions that an individual user can download and install instead of using the traditional bookmarklet. Universities can also install these into managed desktops.

The extension is currently available for Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox and Safari.

These extensions also aim to resolve the following issues:

• Content Security Policy (CSP) - CSP is a computer security standard introduced to prevent cross-site scripting (XSS). This includes Javascript-based bookmarklets.

Note: We do not intend to retire the existing bookmarklet in Talis Aspire at this time.

Instructions on installing the extension for different browsers are below, we have also produced the following video (accessible from the My Bookmarks screen) which users may find useful:

Adding to Chrome

1. Follow this link to open the Chrome extension

2. Click on 'Add to Chrome'

3. Select ‘Add extension’

You’ll now need to configure your extension to work with your reading list tenancy:

4. Right-click on the Talis logo which is now visible in your toolbar

5. Select ‘Options’ and select your university name and save

Now you can start bookmarking as normal, but instead of using a bookmark in your favourites toolbar you just click on the ‘Talis’ icon in your extensions toolbar. If you have any questions or queries please raise a support ticket.

TOP TIP: You can add a keyboard shortcut to activate this extension by going to chrome://extensions/shortcuts, locating the Talis Aspire Reading List bookmarklet extension, and adding in your own custom keyboard shortcut.

Adding to Microsoft Edge

More recent versions of the Edge browser are based on Chromium, and so users can install the Chrome bookmarking extension. To do this you should go to the Extensions menu and then Allow Extensions from other stores. Instructions for installing the Chrome version are available above - note that the installation screen still reads 'Add to Chrome', however the extension will install within your Edge browser.

Adding to Firefox

1. Follow this link to the Firefox Add-ons menu

2. Search for Talis Aspire

3. Click on 'Add to Firefox' and then

4. Click on 'Add'

5. Right-click on the Talis icon that has now appeared in your bookmarks bar and choose 'Manage Extension'

6. On the preferences tab, select your institution from the drop-down and click 'Save'

Now you can start bookmarking as normal, but instead of using a bookmark in your favourites toolbar you just click on the ‘Talis’ icon in your extensions toolbar. If you have any questions or queries please raise a support ticket.

Adding to Safari

1. Visit the App store from your Mac

2. Search for Talis Aspire

3. Click on Install and then Open

4. This will take you to the extensions area of Safari, enable the extension there

5. Right-click on the Talis icon that has now appeared in your bookmarks bar and choose 'Manage Extension'

6. On the preferences tab, select your institution from the drop-down and click 'Save'

Now you can start bookmarking as normal, but instead of using a bookmark in your favourites toolbar you just click on the ‘Talis’ icon in your extensions toolbar. If you have any questions or queries please raise a support ticket.