News & Articles

Google Docs Button

We've upgraded our Google Docs Toolbar Button to work properly with Google Account Authentication.

A user Lars Bern just got in touch to say that the Google Docs Toolbar Button was no longer providing a list of recent documents.

It seems that the easy mechanism we were using to get an RSS feed of documents out of Google is no-longer available.

So..  we've upgraded the button to fix the problem.  You'll now be asked to grant us lot access to your document list and we'll go fetch it from Google on your behalf.  (You can of course revoke permisson at any time by going to your Google Account)

We recommend that if you use the button already you upgrade by clicking here!

Features ( Docs Button )

  • One-Click to your Google Documents
  • Dropdown list of your most recently edited documents NEW!
  • Search your Docs from the Toolbar

Install Now!

Re-Auth & Security

Hi Dave,

Are you seeing the list of documents in the dropdown?  If so this is just the feed we get from Google, we don't do anything with it so I'm not sure why you're getting an authentication error.

Could you try re-authenticating? 

You can re-authenticate (and otherwise get to the original page about authentication) by visiting http://fiji.mediaisotope.com/google-docs-feed/?show-page=true

As far as whether we have access to your Google content is concerned:  I think, probably, we would have access to your documents - yes.

I don't think we have any access whatsoever to anything else (mail or calendar for example).

You can read up on the Google Auth API and Google Auth in general if you're interested.

If you're concerned or interested to know what's going on I've made the source code for the page that does the magic available for you to have a look at.  It's pretty straight forward.

Initially we negotiate a token with Google that gives us permission to gather information from your docs account.

Once we have that token we store it in your browser for future use.

Each time your toolbar updates we grab the document feed from Google (using the authToken) and return it to the toolbar.

As far as I'm aware though there's nothing to stop us gathering all your document data so if you want to use the button you need to be sure to trust that we won't and that this source code is genuine. 

While I can assure you the link below is the source code in use if you're unsure then go here to your Google Account settings and revoke our permissions.  (Revoke: fiji.mediaisotope.com)

Let me know if re-authenticating solves your problem.

Cheers,

Jim

Source:

http://fiji.mediaisotope.com/google-docs-feed/index.phps

Posted by J Morrison, 25th Oct '08
 

Docs button authorisation error

Do I need to re-authorise the button at some point?  Clicking just on the button will take me to the google docs main pg, but choosing any items from the drop down list returns an "Authorization required, Error 401"

Also...

When I say I've given you access to my google account, does that mean you've got access to ALL my google content?

Posted by D Earley, 23rd Oct '08