Admittedly I am a little late in covering this new functionality for google’s chrome browser. I tested chrome upon it’s intial release and was not highly impressed. It seemed to just be another proprietary browser that worked well with google properties but lacked compatibility with many of the sites and projects I work with. I until recently have only used it for site design testing and troubleshooting site layouts at my 9 -5 .
On December 8th google took this browser up a notch and released the Mac version and the beta release of extensions in an attempt to extend the capabilities and usefulness of their browser for the web community. I have heard and read several praises for this new feature set, but just now have begun to delve into the universe of their extensions. The following is a quick write up of my top 5 extensions that have shifted my perspective on Chrome.
1) Firebug Lite 1.3.0b -
this little extension has been a regular go-to for my css and layout development tasks and one of the main features that have prevented me from having consistent use for chrome. Now with this being able to integrate into the browser I can fully take advantage of it’s snappy response and still maintain productivity.
2) Chromelicious -
I have loved delicious since I first learned of the utility through working at Yahoo! this is a much needed add on for any browser I would consider for regular use. This particular extension doesn’t have the flashiest visual appeal with rounded corners or drop shadows for text but it syncs with my online repository and allows me to review favorites found through out my day at work, home, school, or through my android phone. I also like the options to share bookmarks with twitter so others can enjoy my findings.
3) Eyedropper -
Eyedropper is very similar to one of my favorite addons for firefox called Colorzilla. I love this utility for quickly locating rgb or hex colors used in live websites. This extension is typically only useful for development but I would be lost without it. I find colorzilla still to be superior as far as usability and would like to see a plugin that is closer to it’s method of hover and display via the status bar but as a temporary solution this is sufficient.
4) Chrowety -
As a self confessed tweetaholic I find having an extension to be the easiest way to manage tweets as opposed to have an entire tab devoted to the twitter site. I also use hootsuite and enjoy the application shortcuts available through the browser but having a built in client is a feature I have grown to love. I admit the notifications were a bit much for me but, through the options menu was able to specify their behavior and quickly manage them. I also highly enjoy the ability to mange lists within the extension. There are many other twitter extensions available but after testing this one I am hesitant to find a replacement.
5) Speed Dial -
Introduced in firefox this extension makes an instant workspace starting point and with the IE tab extension added as well makes chrome a possibly new primary browser for work as well. I enjoy this as a standard starting point, and with tile and row customization, and the ability for a custom background image it is an all around win. There are several other start page or as some call it desktop extensions available but speed dial is a familiar favorite and I like its placement in chrome. and yes the mario brothers image is available too. 
love them, leave them, ignore or embrace. Extensions in chrome have finally made this a useful application for my regular use, I am still exploring what all is available and any comments with additional suggestions is much appreciated.
