Advertisment
I’ve always been using Firefox browser, I mean already for 5–6 years and never thought I would want to choose something else. Firefox is great browser and what makes it so great is all those thousands of plugins you download freely. You can find now plugin for almost everything you could ever think of – there is only one big downside. Firefox is much slower than Chrome and actually eat’s more of computer’s CPU than other browsers.
I have a friend who suggested to try Chrome again and I thought I will give it a try – now I will check how much and how good extensions Chrome has and is it enough to transfer now???
This article will try to answer to question – can designer, web developer, social marketing, SEO person actually transfer to Chrome without any loss of extension features. Are there something similar to FireBug, WebDeveloper, Color Picker, SEO For Firefox, Alexa ranks, debugging tools, which can be replaced to be used daily?
Let’s put Chrome on test – shall we?
If you know a little about Google Chrome read our previous article about this browser features – Google Chrome Review.
Chrome Extensions For Daily Browsing
1. Aviary Screen Capture
Take a screen capture of the visible portion of any web page and it will open in an editor where you can crop it, add text and arrow markup, get color information or move around areas. You can easily save it to your desktop or host it online. The extension also lets you quick launch any of Aviary’s web editor design apps. View extension screenshots by clicking on the thumbnail and using the arrow keys.
2. Xmarks Bookmarks Sync
Backup and sync your bookmarks across computers and browsers. Xmarks is also available for Firefox, Safari and IE.
Since I am working on one computer at work and laptop, I love this automatic tool syncing my bookmarks and allowing me to worry about other things.
3. AdThwart
Block ads on websites. Supports EasyList and many other ad blocker filter lists.
4. Evernote Web Clipper
Evernote’s Web Clipper extension let you save interesting stuff you see on the web.
5. LastPass
LastPass is a free online password manager and Form Filler that makes your web browsing easier and more secure.
6. RSS Subscription
This extension auto-detects RSS feeds on the page you are reading and upon finding one will display an RSS icon in the Omnibox, allowing you to click on it to preview the feed content and subscribe. Very handy extension for daily blog browsing.
7. Chrome Gestures
Allows you to execute common commands (like page forward/backward, close tab, new tab) by mouse gestures drawn over the current webpage, without reaching for the toolbar or the keyboard.
If you don’t know how mouse gestures work, check out this video.
8. Google Similar Pages beta (by Google)
Discover webpages similar to the page you’re currently browsing. I understand this extension works similar like StumbleUpon, but it’s more objective because it’s based on Google search engine and it’s been released by Google – cannot be bad!
Here I tested it on my own website and got 4 very popular design blogs displayed – first test looks good, I am trying it more definitely.
9. Feedly
A magazine-like startpage. A fast and stylish way to read and share the content of your favorite sites and services. Provides seamless integration with Google Reader, Twitter, Delicious, YouTube and Amazon.
10. Delicious Chrome Extension
Very simple and clean Delicious extension allowing you to simply bookmark page to Delicious. This extension adds just one button, without whole bookmark bar, I loved it!
11. Google Quick Scroll
Google Quick Scroll is a browser extension that helps you find what you are searching for faster. After you click on a Google search result, Quick Scroll may appear on the bottom-right corner of the page, showing one or more bits of text from the page that are relevant to your query. Clicking on the text will take you to that part of the page.
Chrome Extensions For Social Networking
12. Google Mail Checker
Displays the number of unread messages in your Google Mail inbox. You can also click the button to open your inbox, very handy tool for daily browsing.
13. Chromed Bird
Chromed Bird is a Twitter extension that allows you to follow your timelines and interact with your Twitter account.
14. Facebook for Google Chrome
Extension which lets you read your Facebook news feed and wall. You can also post status updates.
15. StumbleUpon Extension
Simple StumbleUpon toolbar for Chrome, you should be very familiar with it if you are stumbling daily.
16. goo.gl url shortener
goo.gl url shortener is an extension which allows you to shorten the current website URL with the new Google URL Shortener service http://goo.gl/.
Chrome Extensions For Web Designers, SEO specialists and Web Developers
17. Lorem Ipsum Generator
Many other extensions of this type – in other browsers – simply complicate this task, using really extensive code, XHR, etc. The main purpose of this one, is to use the less amount of code (and also memory) and help the developer/user to get the job done.
Great and simple classic Lipsum extension, required in every designer’s toolbar.
18. Firebug Lite
Firebug Lite is a tool for web developers, that allows you to edit, debug, and monitor CSS, HTML, and JavaScript live in any web page.
19. META SEO inspector
A Google Chrome extension useful to inspect the meta data found inside web pages, usually not visible while browsing.
20. Pastebin
Post and coloring source code (C, Python, Ruby, HTML, CSS, …) on a pastebin service. Although useful for the share on the forums, IRC or social networks (like Twitter).
21. Speed Tracer (by Google)
Get insight into the performance of your web applications.
22. Resolution Test
An extension for developers to test web pages in different screen resolutions, with an option to define your own resolutions.
23. Copy Without Formatting
Provides various ways (customizable keyboard shortcut, floating button, or auto-copy) to copy your selection WITHOUT formatting.
24. IE Tab
Use Internet Explorer to display web pages in a Chrome tab. Some sites can only be displayed using IE, and with this extension you can now see those sites without leaving Chrome. Great for web developers who want to test the IE rendering engine, users who use sites with ActiveX controls, and users who want to use the explorer view for local files (i.e. file:// URLs).
25. Chrome SEO
I couldn’t live without great SEO tool, where I could see stats of current page I am visiting, this tool is under development still, but already it’s very lightweighted, fast and working just excellent.
“The Google Chrome SEO extension provides easy access to Search Engine Optimization Tools that can help you with Competitive Analysis, Keyword Research, Backlink Checks and other daily SEO tasks.”
26. PageRank
Very simple and light extension which only task is to display pagerank automatically while page loads. For advanced browsing I would use Chrome SEO, but for automatic,fast stats display I like this plugin in my Chrome Extensions as well!
27. SitezMeter
SitezMeter displays traffic charts from Google Trends, Alexa and Compete side by side, as well as ranks. This extension is a handy tool to webmaster, web site owner and SEO/SEM specialists.
Of course, you can go to SitezMeter website directly, but this helps sometimes to do it faster in handy way, anyway – your pick!
28. Chrome Flags
Chrome Flags displays a country flag indicating about the physical location of the websites you’re visiting. The extension also provides access to detailed information regarding the website’s servers, owners, traffic and trustworthiness.
29. Eye Dropper
Eye Dropper and Color Picker extension which allows you to pick color from any webpage or from advanced color picker. You can also check option, that selected color HEX code will be automatically copied to clipboard. This tool is even more handier than ColorPicker on FireFox, because HEX code I needed to copy/paste manually.
30. MeasureIt!
Draw out a ruler that will help you get the pixel width and height of any elements on a webpage.
Yes, this popular Firefox extension for designers is available on Chrome as well! Great!
31. Pendule
Built in features for developers
I didn’t know there are already built in features for web developers, but wow, there is – and you don’t need to install anything.
This “Inspect Element” feature works similar like Firebug, but it has different features. Just select and element, text you are interested in, click right mouse button and check inspect element – you will get advanced and precise results right away! Very, very handy!
Read more about built-in features for developers in this google guide.
Summary
While testing all those different extensions, what I enjoyed the most – extensions are super easy and extremely fast to install/uninstall/activate. I was used to Firefox restart browser statement all the time, I never really thought about it. With Google Chrome you just click on install button and extension is live and working in seconds without any slow downloading or restarting, lagging. And in the same time, if I decided not to keep that extension, I could easily uninstall it as well without any problems.
I am amazed, it took me so long to try Chrome extensions, because I thought there could be nothing better then Firefox, all those thousands of plugins it has and there no way Chrome could compete with something like that EVER.
Dear readers, I was very wrong – of course, there aren’t so many extensions available just yet, but already all of them works way better, way faster and for now I haven’t got any problems with Chrome at all – just big, positive surprises.
For designers and developers I would suggest to give Chrome a try and check out design related extensions, there are already. They aren’t so much but already very handy and fast to use, which usually wasn’t the case with Firefox however.
Huh..but for daily browsing, tweeting, stumbling, mail management, blog writing ( yes, I mean all bloggers) – I suggest to switch to Chrome today and give it a chance. Try it for 3-4 days, install several your favorite extensions from this list and I am pretty sure, you will not want to go back to Firefox for daily browsing. Just my personal opinion, but I was very strong Firefox lover until yesterday, so there must be something good with this new browser I think :)
Let me know about your pros,cons and experiences with Chrome comparing it to Firefox! Let’s go to browsing!
You can download latest Chrome version here, but you need to install Google chrome BETA version in order to use and try extensions as well – get it here.
Very useful post for those who are about to switch just like me.
I’ll probably leave Firefox for testing until somebody ports Web Developer, Firebug full version and Live HTTP headers (or anything similar) to Chrome.
Thanks!
.-= Carlos´s last blog ..Nova Schin: novo comercial de poker e cerveja =-.
[...] This is a post originally posted by 1st Web Designer. [...]
[...] Ready to Tranfser to Chrome? – 30 Irreplaceable Chrome Extensions – Continue reading on 1stwebdesign… SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Ready To Transfer To Chrome? – 30 Irreplaceable Chrome Extensions", url: "http://soultravelmultimedia.com/2010/01/15/ready-to-transfer-to-chrome-30-irrepleacable-chrome-extensions/" }); Tagged as: Browsers, Chrome Leave a comment Comments (0) Trackbacks (0) ( subscribe to comments on this post ) [...]
no google cremo
yes mozilla firefox.. :)
thanks
Dainis, I think you forgot that the web is suppsoed to be FUN :-)
My friend an I have made a cool new add-on for Firefox and Chrome. It displays a hot new babe each time you open a new tab (CTRL+T)!
I think it would be a great addition to all the extensions you write about…
Why don’t you check it out here:
http://www.webvolcano.com/babe
Thanks,
Andy
P.S. Wicked blog !!
Very Nice Collection for Chrome Users, Very Helpful for all type of users.
I don’t like it. Opera is more likely than Chrome for me.
.-= Asa Akira´s last blog .. =-.
Thank you very much for sharing these extensions. But the page rank extension is not working for some pages. I tested it.
I haven’t tried Chrome yet but it looks interesting. I’m happy with Firefox and all those extensions you listed that are functional to my needs are available for Firefox. My only question, does Chrome open faster than Firefox (after computer start up is complete)? Firefox takes a minute or two to open after start up on my comp.
Even i used to use fire fox for a long time, but as google chrome came , it was really good.easy to handle.It is not hard to browse and the history also easyly visible to us, no need to type the entire url or save in the history and all. The screen of your required site which are used resently are will be visible so that you can browse them easly.
That was a great read, thanks!
nice list, I have been using both browsers but now that I can install extensions I might switch to Chrome for good…?
Nice collection of google chrome extensions. I was not a fan of Chrome but now I will give it a try :)
Is it still fast will all extensions (or at leat a few of them) because became quit heavy Firefox lately
i love chrome. I think what really sold me was the extensions. I used to waste all kinds of time on social network site like facebook and twitter, but with these extensions I never have them on my mind so that I can focus on my coding. I have a different facebook ext. tho. Mine is pretty much the touch version of facebook in a small window.
‘ super drag n go ‘ is a nice one too!
.-= _mark´s last blog .._mark: Art / Nature – RT @1stwebdesigner 38 Stunning Digital Nature Artworks Created with Terragen (remember this app?) : http://is.gd/6scNj =-.
I’ve been a regular chrome user for about a year now. So much faster than IE and Firefox. But with the addition of extensions, things are really looking up.
[...] Shared Are You Ready To Transfer To Chrome? – 30 Irreplaceable Chrome Extensions | Graphic and Web Design B…. [...]
[...] Are You Ready To Transfer To Chrome? – 30 Irreplaceable Chrome Extensions [...]
[...] Are You Ready To Transfer To Chrome? – 30 Irreplaceable Chrome Extensions [...]
Why shoul I use google (!) chrome if I can use SRWare Iron, the Chromiom-Browser without google.
Great!! finally I can script with Chrome :) Tnx so much
.-= JeKo´s last blog ..Arrancabirra 2009 =-.
Awesome list, thanks. The IE one is probably the most useful, quite a few legacy systems at work, it speeds them up no end!
[...] Are you ready to transfer to Chrome? — 30 Irreplaceable Chrome extensions (1stwebdesigner.com) [...]
Very Well Collected list, very useful for all chrome users.
Excellent, thanx. Added a few.
When I tried Chrome and asked about specific videos or subjects, I ended up getting everyone elses favourites first, then adverts and rarely the information I asked about.
That’s quite a collection. I have not installed Chrome yet, but now you’ve got me thinking about it!
While Firefox is still number 1 with me, I am liking what I see with Chrome.
The only problem I am having is that I do not have enough space for the extensions I have. Many do not show on the screen. How can I add another row for extensions?
Can you provide more information on this? take care
I think Chrome is still too immature. When I browse this page with it, it crashes. I just got finished developing a site for a charity and I Chrome would not render some pages correctly (nothing complex, mind you, and tabl inside a div) that rendered correctly on all of the other browsers with no issues. I tried the latest beta and that renders correctly, but now I get crashes. Maybe Chrome 5.0…
Great collection, I’ve instaled 8 of them
.-= Tutorijali HDonWEB´s last blog ..Exact Audio Copy Vodič za početnike =-.
Awesome list!
I also fell chrome to be faster then firefox.
But chrome doesnt have plugins which firefox provides.
[...] 30 irreplaceable Chrome Extensions. dtsv.dtse_post_5637_permalink = 'http://pedrogoico.com/2010/01/15/google-chrome-extensions/'; dtsv.dtse_post_5637_title = 'GOOGLE CHROME EXTENSIONS.'; Categories: Inspiration. Tags: Comments (0) Trackbacks (0) Leave a comment Trackback [...]
[...] 30 irreplaceable Chrome Extensions. dtsv.dtse_post_5637_permalink = 'http://pedrogoico.com/2010/01/15/5637/'; dtsv.dtse_post_5637_title = ''; Categories: Inspiration. Tags: Comments (0) Trackbacks (0) Leave a comment Trackback [...]
Some nice extentions there, didn’t know Chrome had so many!
[...] Are You Ready To Transfer To Chrome? – 30 Irreplaceable Chrome Extensions (1stwebdesigner). Todos le tenemos un gran cariño al navegador Firefox, por los miles de plugins que podemos descargar gratuitamente. Podemos encontrar plugin para casi todo lo que puedas imaginar. Sólo hay una gran desventaja, y es que Firefox es mucho más lento que el Chrome y requiere muchos recursos de la CPU. En este artículo nos dejan unos 30 de los mejores plugins que podemos encontrar para Chrome que nos harán la vida más fácil. [...]
I would love to move from mozilla… but I’m not sure
.-= SmashingWebs.com´s last blog ..Facebook at Childhood =-.
Very nice list – thx!
Good to see more and more people switching to Google Chrome. It’s amazing how something like Extensions can send someone from one browser to another. :)
I am curious how it will go in future between Chrome and Firefox, but so true.
Fixed comment as well.
I still like firefox although it is slow
Don’t know why but when I explore Internet via Google Chrome all pages open ve-e-e-ery slo-o-o-ow, sometimes they aren’t open at all.
.-= Nastia´s last blog ..The Simpsons =) =-.
Try running the Dev, Beta or even Chromium.
Firefox with all those awesome, almost necessary extensions is awesome, can’t imagine developing without it. But it’s really sluggish, especially when it comes to js, so for the last few months I’ve been using Chromium for general browsing.
Usually have both open now.
If a full firebug and webdeveloper toolbar is available for chrome I guess I could drop Firefox all together.
I really want to love Firefox, but it’s really using too many resources, htop tells me around 20% cpu, 12% ram for firefox vs 2% and 2% for chromium.
Chrome? No, thanks. Not, yet. Maybe never. If Firefox fixes its crashes, no deal with any other browser, ever!
.-= Paulo Franca – PLAFstudies.com´s last blog ..INDEX 1, Promotions, More… =-.
Then here’s an idea. While Firefox goes away and crashes, why don’t you simply use Chrome for the time being.
I really love Chrome, but yesterday when Chrome was down, I sure was glad that I had Firefox!!
It’s always good to have Firefox as a backup to Chrome, but it’s rarely needed. Too bad to hear you had problems. :P
Great post!
I’ve used FF since it arrived and I am finding it sluggish and it crashes :/ I did try chrome but I couldn’t do without my extensions. This post has made me think twice now.
Many thanks and keep up the great work.
It was same with me.. maybe we are using too much plugins in FF, but somehow it’s too slow – with Chrome I have all those extensions..and even better ones..and browser seems to load just fine :)
Thank you!
This is the reason I didn’t switch to chrome the last time I tried it.
This post convinced me, but the extensions don’t work on a mac :(
.-= Ross Johnson´s last blog ..Hello world! =-.
I saw a tweet just a few minutes ago that said extensions are now available for the Mac Dev Builds…
http://www.downloadsquad.com/2010/01/06/google-chrome-updates-its-developer-build-now-with-extensions-for-mac/
Enjoy! :)
oh these are great news! :) So these extensions are available for Mac users now as well! :) Thank you for information, WizardCM :)
I was using the beta before the alpha release and the alpha really needs bookmark manager.
.-= chicago web design´s last blog ..The Future of Mobile Apps: Flash CS5 =-.
I am now using chrome for general browsing but with these awesome extensions i may be tempted to start using it when developing!
One extra that wasn’t on the list is SmoothScroll, check it out :)
If only Chrome extensions were available for Mac Chrome…
.-= Ray Gulick´s last blog ..Keeping Safari (and Chrome) Hacks Out of Your Stylesheets =-.
Try the dev version for Mac. I use that and its very stable. And the extensions work :)
What he said ^^
thank u so much that was great