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20 essential, time-saving Chrome extensions

Summary: For ZDNet's David Gewirtz, the key to successfully moving from Firefox to Chrome was identifying and installing Chrome extensions that duplicated or improved upon functionality. Here are 20 essential, time-saving Chrome extensions that made that move go smoothly.

David Gewirtz

By for DIY-IT |

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20 essential, time-saving Chrome extensions

Last week, in Forgive me, Firefox, for I have sinned. Chrome is my new love, I wrote about how I made the transition from Firefox to Chrome. It was a subtle transition, until I found myself solely using Chrome and barely, if ever, launching Firefox.

Key to that transition was identifying and installing Chrome extensions that duplicated or improved upon functionality I relied on in Firefox for both my daily work and daily browsing.

I should tell you now that this set of extensions is what works for me. They may not work for you. Most of my work involves writing, a ton of online reading, programming, and communicating. There were a few tools I used in Firefox (that I've now replicated in Chrome) that saved me a lot of time each day. Without those time-savers, Chrome would not have been practical for me.

So here we go. Let's run through the list. Just remember that your mileage may vary.

Also, please post your favorite extensions. I'm always in the market of something that will improve my productivity and help me get more done my very limited 24 hours each day.

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  • My favorites

    Lastpass - excellent password and secure notes manager
    IE tab - to visit the very few sites (including Sharepoint sites) which work better in IE, or to check whether they do. Also to print pages, as IE features scaled printing, which Chrome doesn't.
    Bookmarks - to quickly open my bookmarks without remembering the hotkey
    Smooth gestures - to close a page or go back using a mouse gesture
    Google Quick Scroll - to jump to the relevant bits of a google search result
    RSS subscription extension - to subscribe to RSS feeds
    pj.de.bruin
    Reply Vote

    • LastPass

      Yep, LastPass is a must.

      I also use NoScript on Firefox, I've tried NoScripts on Chrome, it isn't as good, but it is getting there. When it matures, I might well switch to Chrome.

      Flashblock is another must, for me.
      wright_is
      Reply Vote

      • Agree on NoScript

        Every few months I revisit Chrome looking to see if this has been ported or if similar functionality exists in other plugins (e.g., ScriptNo, NotScripts.)

        ScriptNo looks like it has some improved functionality - I'll give it a spin.
        CyberZombie
        Reply Vote

  • Great list! Was unaware of one

    Was unaware of 'Email this Page,' something I do every day. Thanks!
    zaine_ridling
    Reply Vote

  • FVD does work

    I'm not sure why you say FVD (Freemake Video Downloader) doesn't work in Chrome, it does. I disabled one-click download, but I re-enabled just to check this out. It does launch the actual program, which then does the download for you, but I'm not sure just how easy you want it to be. You can click the button at the corner of the browser window, or it shows a button right on the YouTube page. If the video is part of a series, it will even download all the videos. Personally, I like being able to configure the download before clicking OK, but it's all pretty painless.
    big red one
    Reply Vote

  • RECOMMENDED CHROME EXTENSION

    David, I know you're busy, but it appears either your own personal editor or spellcheck would certainly serve you well.
    :)
    darciea
    Reply Vote

  • Favorites for Chrome OS

    I always find these lists interesting, but I've never had so little overlap before. The following list was created with Share Extensions for Google Chrome™

    - ChromeAccess v1.6: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/aeoigbhkilbllfomkmmilbfochhlgdmh

    - Lazy Amazon Search v1.1: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ajhagnljgceddhfoakpjkdcoobijohhi

    - Adblock Plus v1.3.4: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/cfhdojbkjhnklbpkdaibdccddilifddb

    - Share Extensions v0.0.9: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/chdafcbnfkfenoeejpaeenpdamhmalhe

    - Search by Image (by Google) v1.3.2: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/dajedkncpodkggklbegccjpmnglmnflm

    - Gmelius - Ad Blocker and Better UI for Gmail™ v5.7.1: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/dheionainndbbpoacpnopgmnihkcmnkl

    - utf-8 v1.2.1: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/fcemphgmjnjpmmdhcedhjiegickfbiia

    - Chrome Office Viewer v2.5.86: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/gbkeegbaiigmenfmjfclcdgdpimamgkj

    - CrOS Save v1.0.6: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/geojifjnplelmefbggiioamokdomjenf

    - Google Calendar (by Google) v1.3.1: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/gmbgaklkmjakoegficnlkhebmhkjfich

    - Save to Google Drive v1.5.9: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/gmbmikajjgmnabiglmofipeabaddhgne

    - FlashBlock v0.9.31: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/gofhjkjmkpinhpoiabjplobcaignabnl

    - Keep My Opt-Outs v1.0.14: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/hhnjdplhmcnkiecampfdgfjilccfpfoe

    - Forecastfox v2.0.10: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ihffmkcfkejomlfnilnmkokcpgclhfeg

    - Calc SS3 v0.9.98: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/iicfbobganffbpdodmdcbcpblomkbeoa

    - Panelize v0.3: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/illfnfpoggnlapniilhkplbofldeimie

    - Starbucks automatic joiner v0.0.2: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/jjnnlhigonelimfaoglccopcgdghfdbg

    - Anesidora v1.6.8.1: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/jkamjlgjpfpidokpnnljcmkjjpgnbaga

    - Picasa Extension (by Google) v0.1: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/lhhlohbbihddnfcehbijmlnpkafmmkfp

    - Smooth Scrollerator v1.1.5: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/lmicgfcegednlkdhgbhgickcgndjeeig

    - Pocket (formerly Read It Later) v1.1.5: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/niloccemoadcdkdjlinkgdfekeahmflj

    - Docs PDF/PowerPoint Viewer (by Google) v3.10: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/nnbmlagghjjcbdhgmkedmbmedengocbn

    - The Tracktor - Amazon Price Tracker v3.1.2: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/onajjgekdldckfgodnmoallcmdmfcfom
    S_Deemer
    Reply Vote

  • thoughts

    "20 essential, time-saving Chrome extensions"

    Sounds like quite a bit. And many of them put their buttons on the bar. Quite a bit of clutter for what's supposedly a minimalist browser, if you ask me.

    "Chat for Google is a very neat tool that allows me to stay in Google Chat, even when I don't have Gmail open."

    I use Trillian, which supports Google Chat and even Facebook chat (no need to keep Facebook open either). Not really a big fan of cluttering up extensions when a third party app does the job.

    A lot of the text-copying extensions seem blogger specific. I do see that some bloggers tend to worship these tools as if every industry in the world could use them, but truth be known, they're really specific to the blogger niche.

    Of course in your case you're just showing off the tools you use, so not all of them will be must haves for everybody (especially the web development stuff).
    CobraA1
    Reply Vote

  • Font Renedering?

    Is there an extension to fix poor font rendering in Chrome?
    hiccupfart
    Reply Vote

    • what issues?

      Never had a problem with font rendering with Chrome
      mytake4this
      Reply Vote

  • Chrome Extentions

    Enjoyed the read, but see that most are skewed toward writer or bloggers. There are at least 15 I would have no use for at all.

    Here are my most used:

    Clearly (probably similar to Readability)
    Social Fixer (for Facebook)
    Netflix Rating Enhancer (I like to see the rotten tomato ranking)
    ZDNet Blogs Reader (saves me a lot of time)

    Like to see others list their favorite (and what they are for)
    kitkimes41@...
    Reply Vote

  • Thanks for Sharing

    I'm also a new convert to Chrome, thanks for sharing the list & the others who have also. Really helpful.
    Medfordhouse
    Reply Vote

  • how to read?

    Can I download or print this list? I simply refuse to keep clicking to get the full story. It is so time consuming for some of us (me) in rural areas with poor internet. How about what is called a list? Like the one used by one of your repliers. His list made more sense to me than the article since the article was broken into pieces by the way it displays on the internet. It would really be helpful. Thanks!
    Wirelessdude
    Reply 2 Votes

    • Here ya go!

      Well, courtesy of @S_Deemer and Share Extensions (which I didn't know about), here you go:

      Extensions: 20
      - Sexy Undo Close Tab v7.2.7: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/bcennaiejdjpomgmmohhpgnjlmpcjmbg
      - Share Extensions v0.0.9: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/chdafcbnfkfenoeejpaeenpdamhmalhe
      - PHP Ninja Manual v1.1.5: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/clbhjjdhmgeibgdccjfoliooccomjcab
      - Email this page (by Google) v1.2.5: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/dbeoemfhkdniadbojeencpkgmobndpai
      - Pendule v1.0.0: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/gbkffbkamcejhkcaocmkdeiiccpmjfdi
      - CSSViewer v1.3: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ggfgijbpiheegefliciemofobhmofgce
      - Google Calendar (by Google) v1.3.1: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/gmbgaklkmjakoegficnlkhebmhkjfich
      - PageRank Status v6.8.0: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/hbdkkfheckcdppiaiabobmennhijkknn
      - Copy Title+URL to clipboard v1.3.3: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/hbnaclhngkhpmpgmfakaghgjbblokeeh
      - Universal Search & IE8 Accelerators v1.1: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/hmcgifbelcmjecmkapejifljephjabjd
      - Windows Media Player Extension for HTML5 v1.0: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/hokdglbhghcebcopdbanieangmcamaak
      - Google +1 Button v1.1.2.424: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/jgoepmocgafhnchmokaimcmlojpnlkhp
      - Search the current site v4: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/jliolpcnkmolaaecncdfeofombdekjcp
      - FVD Video Downloader v1.4.7: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/lfmhcpmkbdkbgbmkjoiopeeegenkdikp
      - Copy Link Text v0.5.1: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/lhdokmjpoambonhlpgcodobebebjdeil
      - Copy Link Name v1.0.4: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/mafjnaphoepgijmgfeemillelgkeigid
      - Chat for Google v1.2013.110.2: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/nckgahadagoaajjgafhacjanaoiihapd
      - Buffer v2.3.9: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/noojglkidnpfjbincgijbaiedldjfbhh
      - Readability v1.13: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/oknpjjbmpnndlpmnhmekjpocelpnlfdi
      - Evernote Web Clipper v5.9.5: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pioclpoplcdbaefihamjohnefbikjilc
      David Gewirtz
      Reply 1 Vote

    • I agree - COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS

      ZDNET MUST give us an option to download a complete article. I would be interested, since I am having trouble with Firefox locking up on Win8 (though may have fixed today with Firewall change), and was interested in looking at Chrome as an option. But no way will I toggle through and cut and paste 21 screens to get this info. What a waste of time and space. I have however copied your list David in case I need it in future. Thanks for that.
      jonc2011
      Reply Vote

  • Adblock Plus

    Adblock Plus is the first add on I use with Firefox or Chrome.
    mytake4this
    Reply Vote

  • Slideshow to 1 Page

    Is there a Chrome extension that could convert a 20 page slideshow into a one-page article?
    techfired
    Reply Vote

  • Its funny! Firefox is the way to go!

    Its funny how people moved to Google Chrome even before realising potential and benefits of Firefox.
    "Google" name did it, I think. Go to it and loose freedom.
    jwalant.soneji@...
    Reply Vote
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