Tuesday, November 16, 2010

My Chrome Extensions

This weekend I beefed up my browser with a few more extensions.

I use Google's Chrome browser. I find it very fast and uncluttered. I'm also a bit of a Google fanboy, so that helps determine which browser I use as well. For a long time I used Firefox, but I think it has become too bloated, especially with extensions. I even tried Flock, but I am happy with Chrome right now. I like Chrome's extension gallery and have found a few that I like:
  • 1-ClickWeather for Chrome - There are a lot of weather extensions. I like The Weather Channel, but I have to admit there is probably a "better" weather extension out there.
  • Amazon Wish List - I have an Amazon wishlist, and I also maintain my own versions of wishlists for my kids and for my wife. Amazon wishlists can even include things outside of Amazon. Doing that is facilitated by this extension.
  • bit.ly | a simple URL shortener - Ever sent a link in an email and a line break inserted by your email client makes it not work? Ever try to insert a link mid-paragraph and find it makes the line breaks look weird? You need a URL shortener. Bit.ly is probably the most popular because of Twitter, but Google's is starting to have some legs.
  • Google Mail Checker - I have had some trouble with this one because it sometimes loses my connection with Gmail. However, it is nice to be working along and see a nice little icon when new mail has arrived (instead of having to go back to the actual Gmail page to check.
  • Google Reader: Note in Reader (Unofficial) - I used to have the bookmark to do this that you can get from Google Reader. The biggest problem with this is that I like to hide my bookmarks by default, which makes it hard to use. This solves that.
  • Google Sidewiki - I have not ended up using this one much, mainly because I do not think Google is emotionally invested in Sidewiki. Hopefully that changes because I think it is a potentially good idea. Who doesn't want to be able to make comments about any arbitrary web page?
  • IE Tab - Unfortunately, sometimes we need IE. Many offices require quirks of that horrible browser in their software. Microsoft often plays better with IE. This extension allows one to use IE inside a Chrome tab. Not perfect, but better than switching browsers completely.
  • InvisibleHand - Supposedly this extension alerts you when you are paying too much for something. It throws up a warning like "You could get that for cheaper at Amazon" or something. I have hopes and dreams.
  • StayFocusd - I mainly use this one at work. No, it is not a typo. It will shut down access to certain sites after a certain amount of time has passed. You use up your time for the day then too bad!
Any really good extensions I am missing? Know of a better weather extension?

2 comments:

  1. Eric Eide suggested (on Facebook) that I forgot AdBlock. I want you to see my ads so you will click on them, but he does have a point.

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  2. Another Facebook comment from Chris Busselle:

    "Craigslist Preview - Extension to prefetch Craigslist ad images

    Docs PDF/PowerPoint Viewer (by Google) -
    Automatically previews pdfs, powerpoint presentations, and other documents in Google Docs Viewer

    Email this page (by Google) -
    This extension adds an email button to the toolbar which allows you to email the page link using your default mail client or Gmail

    Google Chrome to Phone Extension -
    Google Chrome to Phone Extension enables you to send links and other information from Chrome to your Android device.

    LastPass - LastPass is a free password manager and form filler. LastPass is also available for Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari. (Yeah, I am _somewhat_ worried hear about security, but from what I can tell everything is stored locally, and, well, at some point you gotta trust on the web. Lastpass I trust. And boy is it a time saver.)

    The Camelizer - Kinda fun.
    Add price history charts to Google Chrome and watch product prices change. Supports Amazon, Best Buy, Newegg, and other retailers.

    FastestChrome - Browse Faster -
    Save time and enhance your productivity! Get quick definitions, auto-load next pages, search faster, and more. (I ONLY use this for the auto-loading of next pages, which is huge. Doesn't work on all sites but works on most.)"

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