Revert Google Chrome “New Tab” page to the old style

Google Chrome‘s “New Tab” page was redesigned (stable release 29.0.1547.76) in an attempt to offer a faster and simpler style.

You can easily switch bank to the old style of the “New Tab” page by following these steps:

1. Type chrome://flags into Google Chrome‘s address bar (omnibox).
2. Search (by pressing F3 or Ctrl + F) for the feature “Enable Instant Extended API” (#enable-instant-extended-api) and change its setting from “Default” to “Disabled“.
   
3. Click on “Relaunch Now” at the bottom of the screen to restart Google Chrome. The old style “New Tab” page should appear, which displays tiles of the most visited pages or the Chrome apps.

Update 24/2/2014: As of Chrome 33, the “Instant Extended API” feature can no longer be deactivated.

 

Digital certificates on OS X and iOS

In the instructions below, I use as an example SAP Service Marketplace in order to generate and install a client certificate.

Single Sign-On (SSO) with an SAP Passport allows access to several portals within the SAP Service Marketplace, without having to enter your user ID and password. SAP Passport is a digital client certificate that provides hassle-free single-sign on access without the need to log in each time.

In order to access SAP Service Marketplace on OS X (through Apple Safari or Google Chrome) or iOS, you need a certificate in PKCS #12 format.

PKCS #12, the Personal Information Exchange Syntax Standard, defines a file format that is used to store private keys with accompanying public key certificates, protected with a password-based symmetric key. PFX is a predecessor to PKCS #12.

An easy way to export certificates in PKCS #12 format, is through Mozilla Firefox in a Microsoft Windows or Apple OS X system.

1. Download Mozilla Firefox (for Microsoft Windows or OS X).
2. Apply for an SAP Passport, through Mozilla Firefox, in order to create a certificate.
3. Export the certificate (.p12 extension) for your user ID, through Mozilla Firefox, by navigating to:
   Options → Advanced → Encryption → View certificates
   Then, select the certificate and click on “Backup…“.
   You can now (optionally) uninstall Mozilla Firefox.

In OS X:

• Open Keychain Access by typing “Keychain Access” on the Spotlight and import the certificate to your “login” keychain by navigating to File → Import Items.
• You can now open SAP Service Marketplace, either through Apple Safari or Google Chrome, and choose your certificate when prompted.

  

• In case the message “Mac OS X wants to make changes. Type an administrator’s name and password to allow this. Mac OS X wants to use the “System” keychain.” is displayed upon choosing your certificate, reset the default keychain. Open Keychain Access, as previously, and navigate to Preferences → General → Reset. Finally, restart your system.

  

• You can now open SAP Service Marketplace using the installed certificate.

In iOS:

• Either e-mail the .p12 certificate file to yourself or use a file hosting service (i.e. Dropbox) in order to download it to your iOS device.

  

• You can now open SAP Service Marketplace using the installed certificate.

Google Chrome installation problem

While trying to install Google Chrome 0.3.154.9 on a computer running under Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3, when the initial screen appeared, it was instantly closed.

The problem is related to ctfmon.exe. By following the instructions mentioned here, the installation was completed successfully.