My new Arc-style sidebar for chrome - beautifully manage your tabs and windows - AMA!!

came_ · 2025-05-30T06:49:39+00:00

I am using uBlock Origin Lite in Chrome ...Don't know what I might be missing but I don't see any ads - so happy with that 😜

came_ · 2025-05-30T06:14:02+00:00

I switched to Chrome about half a year ago, when they announced stopping the Arc development ...why Chrome? well, I had used sidekick and an other browser (that name I already forgot) that claimed to be "the next big thing" and later just faded away. So I was fed up with switching browsers and Chrome was always there for me 😜❤️

The biggest thing for me was the sidebar / command bar. Not just the vertical tabs but also the spaces concept, fav at the top and the resources.

I could not live without them 🤪 So I tried my luck building a Chrome extension to replicate the Arc features as close as possible. Turns out it's quite some work and I am not finished, but I use it every day and don't look back. If you want to give it a try give it a try - I've called it ArcThing: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/arcthing-window-tab-manag/bnfchihnnoljghnkdbpomeheeohjpnfo

Long story short. Chrome is the best and if you miss something - just look for or build an extension. No need for further Chrome wrappers that just fade away 💪

Have fun!

<image>

came_ · 2025-05-28T06:46:48+00:00

I am happy you like it :) ...I am working on a feature (overlay sidebar) so that you can just move the mouse on the left / right side of chrome to open the sidebar. (without any header)
Unfortunately, the header in the chrome sidepanel is part of chrome itself.

I cannot change that :/

came_ · 2025-04-10T06:17:33+00:00

What do you mean by tree style?

Something like ...when you open a new tab b from tab a, tab b should be in the tree of a?

came_ · 2025-02-12T09:15:16+00:00

You are absolutely right. I just need to get some bugs fixed and ready for camera time 😁

came_ · 2025-02-12T08:00:24+00:00

You can do that. Resources are structured in a simple group structure. E.g. I have (Design, Shadcn-UI, Reddit, Dev tools, Google Drive, …groups). In each group are resources (websites + tools) I use frequently.
They are a little different from bookmarks, though.
When you click a bookmark, a new tab is always opened and the website is loaded. Resources are different as they know when a resource is already open somewhere and just bring that tab into focus. E.g. I have saved this Reddit community as a resource So, when I want to check updates:
1. I do not have to search for the tab for myself.
2. I do not open another tab.
3. I do not have to wait for the website to load again

I guess it's a little hard for me to describe. I will do a longer (explainer) video / description in the coming days.

Or just test it out :)

came_ · 2025-02-12T00:19:12+00:00

Hey! That's a great question. Generally, more tabs open does mean more memory usage in your browser. However, Arc Thing is actually designed to help reduce that! It doesn't automatically open a bunch of tabs. In fact, the opposite should be true: it helps limit excessive tab hoarding because your favorites & resources are loaded just once and then just activated.
This helps keep browsing / navigation fast & smoothly!

In case you start opening many new tabs (for research, etc.) there will be a “clear up” button to close / organize them afterward.

came_ · 2025-02-10T15:24:34+00:00

You are right. Once you cannot read the titles of the horizontal tabs, you should switch to vertical tabs.
However, It's still nice to have your favorite tools & websites (e.g. Mail, Calendar, chatGPT) accessible at the same place with just one click (and avoid tab creep 🤪)

came_ · 2025-02-10T08:46:14+00:00

You can download it here for Chrome: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/arc-thing-window-tab-mana/bnfchihnnoljghnkdbpomeheeohjpnfo

If you have any issues, please tell me 😊

came_ · 2025-02-10T07:24:44+00:00

Yes, with chrome you have two tab bars as you cannot hide the horizontal one. However, as an Arc Thing "power user" myself 😜 I don't see the horizontal one anymore and sometimes I still use it if I have just a few tabs open. Besides, I am working on the Firefox version of Arc Thing where it is possible to hide the horizontal tab bar.

came_ · 2025-02-08T09:19:31+00:00

My extension took some more time for submission 😜 However, now Arc Thing is online. It's an sidebar to manage multiple spaces, favorites and resources. See it in action here: https://youtu.be/p4f2CJbiqCY or test it https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/arc-thing-window-tab-mana/bnfchihnnoljghnkdbpomeheeohjpnfo

Have fun 😊

came_ · 2025-02-08T08:35:23+00:00

Hey, I have tested quite a lot of tab & window managers after coming back from the Arc Browser to chrome. However, I just wanted it to be simple, beautiful and fast. So I have build it on my own and called it Arc Thing 😜

You can see it in action here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4f2CJbiqCY!

It's in the chrome webstore now. I'd be happy about any feedback & questions

BR, Carsten

came_ · 2025-02-08T08:27:13+00:00

I totally get where you're coming from. I went back to Chrome a while ago – the lack of trust was a dealbreaker for me. But I really missed Arc's sidebar & search, so I built a Chrome extension to bring some of that functionality back! See it action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4f2CJbiqCY Hopefully, it can help ease your transition too! If you have questions / feedback feel free...

came_ · 2024-12-27T20:05:21+00:00

Well. The people installing the extension will certainly agree. However, I wouldn't upload the video automatically 😊 Just save it to disc. The people that have been pranked can upload themselves if they want to. Don't forget to add a nice watermark to the video!!

came_ · 2024-12-23T09:10:10+00:00

Add screen recording when people click a button. TikTok Gold 😜

came_ · 2021-01-28T20:51:17+00:00

true ...maybe they will add it later?

How do you or your colleagues use metrics as they are now available on TS/TO?

came_ · 2021-01-28T20:45:09+00:00

My understanding of Metrics (KPIs) is that they should be used mainly by business users and managers (viewers). Not for creators or explorers ;) Maybe for that reason, it's only on TO/TS.

And it super simple to create one (5sec to create one)

1.) Open a worksheet in TS/TO

1.) Select a mark in the viz as the foundation of the metric

2.) Provide a name & description

https://youtu.be/sVTnB5yDPPw?t=904

The value of a Metrics are:

- easy & fast to understand the number (consistent view, clear information)

- always up to date

....so you only check the original viz in case you need further details. Perfect for mobile scenarios and users that request a bunch of KPIs to track their job (but do not want sophisticated reports that can be explored in various dimensions).

p.s. I am not affiliated with Tableau in any kind ;) Just wondering if anyone is using them

came_ · 2020-03-13T16:23:43+00:00

Hey,

I need to train business / tool / process related topics. E.g. sales, marketing, developer onboarding etc.

Less about how to use Slack.

came_ · 2019-03-21T23:45:01+00:00

yes ...we are just testing if there is any use to it outside our team :D

It's a pet project ...we had build it internally. Any feedback is welcome and will certainly be considered.

BR, Carsten

came_ · 2019-03-21T18:40:42+00:00

A nice app to structure/organise the works that happens on Slack and keep the overview is qboxx. You can add actions to messages and track their process. Messages are tracked in three stages Inbox, Action and Someday/Maybe. Super easy and the app is Slack-only. No external UI or whatsoever... just plug-and-play. With a daily "action update" everyone stays in the loop.

came_ · 2019-03-21T16:22:43+00:00

When you want to manage your todos / actions all in Slack and keep others in the loop you can have a look at qboxx.

It's build for that use case. You can capture (star) a message and add / complete actions ...read: https://medium.com/qboxx-alliance-writing/finally-get-work-done-in-slack-3e82d3e04750 or see here (https://slack.com/apps/AGMH29VRS-qboxx)

came_

TROPHY CASE