You can get a web version by editing urls: https://www.whatruns.com/website/google.com

Nice find! :) However, WR only publicizes websites that were once loaded through extension. If you have a new website and if it wasn't opened on WhatRuns before, this lookup won't do the trick.

In that case you could just boot up a VM and run Chrome with WR from there.

"Just?" That's a fair sum of work. Do you have purpose built VMs just lying around?

I do, actually. If you're privacy-conscious but still need to use certain high-risk programs every once in a while (such as closed-source Chrome extensions), keeping a VM instance around for that purpose isn't the most complicated thing you could do.

Right, but I guess my question is: how would this be an intersection of usability and utility? Might be if Qubues ran on any computer I own.

I doesn't, so this is more of a parlor trick thsm a practical way to police extensions.

This should be the top comment.

I keep a separate chrome user profile for testing extensions. You are right that chrome extensions can read all browser data.

Here is how to set up a separate user profile

https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/2364824

How about 15k happy users, featured by Google Chrome, transparent extension and top of HN and PH? ;)

On a serious note, I understand your point and realise how new extensions can be dangerous. However, we have a very good team and is trying to solve all the concerns we had with our counterparts.

I hope you'll give us the benefit of doubt! :)

But why do you need to run on my PC?

Just add a "insert url here" box and do it on your server.

I implicitly distrust anyone who insists on running code on my PC that they could run elsewhere.

Especially.. code they can remotely update

We started with extension as developers/designers found it especially handy for a quick look-up while working on their projects. Not to worry though - we're working on something for the web as well!

Also, our counterparts got a majority of their traction from browser extensions which made it our obvious priority (even though it wasn't the easiest of options).

15k is nothing and you can buy 'featured' status. Let me know when it gets closer to 500,000.

Chrome team handpick their featured products; I don't think we can buy the status.

We know 15k is not a lot (comment was pun intended), but it looks like a good start :)

Permission required for this means extension can read all website and change it.

I dont know much about extension development - can a finer permission like - reading browser url is not sufficient to achieve functionality ? or better - a button in extension options to read only current url ?

How do you defend yourself of not selling users data ?

Having said above - compared to extension wappalyzer (which I had) this gives so much more information!! Really cool.

@samblr First off, thank you so much for your kind words. Glad you liked the info we're providing.

To address your concern with the privacy, WhatRuns do not collect or log any visitor information – including IP address, location etc. We receive anonymous website data and match with our database to display the results. Hope this clarifies.

Yes, but do you enable two-factor auth on your developer account(s)?

https://chrispederick.com/blog/web-developer-for-chrome-comp...

Thanks for introducing PH! That site is so great!

No problem. It sure is! :)

I think your level of skepticism is good but most people will just hit that install button and not think twice.