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The Top Non-Bloat Non-Annoying Extensions in Google Chrome

Posted on 23. Jul, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey in Tips

It seems like almost every day I read about some top ten list about the most useful extensions for developers, the most helpful extensions for graphic designers and the most important extensions for bloggers. I say all of that is garbage. I’ve spent a lot more time analyzing Chrome extensions than many others have, and I’ve really only found very few that can enhance your web experience. Seriously, here is a screenshot of the four I actually use.

Forecastfox Weather

Everyone needs to know what the weather is like outside. Just looking out the window is really not good enough. Fortunately, there is a comprehensive weather extension I’ve found called Forecastfox Weather. It allows you to put in your location, and it sits comfortably in your extension collection, telling you via icon what the weather right now is like.

When you click on the icon, you get in depth information on your local weather.

It gives you a forecast for the next few days, saves your recent locations at the top, and even gives you local radar. What else do you need? It’s like the total opposite from the uber-worthless WeatherBug.

PageRank – LinkExtend

I very recently wrote an article about PageRank – LinkExtend. I really feel that everyone who uses the web needs to be aware of a site’s PageRank. Without going too deeply into Google’s ranking system, PageRank basically allows one to see how relevant a site is based on the number of links that go back to the site. When you have the extension active, you can also see what the PageRank of a site is when you use Google Search, helpful for finding authoritative resources instead of straight-up junk sites.

Google Search.

RSS Subscription Extension

This one is pretty simple, yet surprisingly useful; whenever you’re at a site that offers a RSS feed that you can put into your reader, you can click on an icon in your omnibox.

TabJump

There is really a lot of tab-madness going on. You know what I’m talking about – too many browser tabs. I have way too many opem at any time, and I know that many other people have the same problem. TabJump helps that. It sits comfortably in the omnibox until you need it to understand the tabs, and most helpfully it can reopen that tab you regretfully closed.

When you click on the green arrow, you get a breakdown on all the tabs you have opened.

In the End

There are only so many Chrome browser extensions which are useful that don’t simply annoy you while you’re trying to get things done. I’ve evaluated a lot of them to be able to make this post – but if there is one important one I have missed, I’d like to know about it. Let me know, and I’ll take a look!

By the way, if you’re going to make a top “whatever” list of the most useful Chrome extensions, take note that I’m going to be paying attention. No one will realistically be using most of them, and you will get called out right here on this blog. Dear readers, I’m hoping you’ll help me out on this. Thanks.

Tags: Chrome Extensions, Forecastfox Weather, PageRank - LinkExtend, RSS Subscription Extension, TabJump, top Chrome extensions