Google launched their Chrome browser last week and I’ve been using it since day 1. I have to admit - I’ve been a Firefox junkie for over two years now - in large part due to the plethora of add-ons.
I’m the guy that uses FAR too MANY plug-ins and that has at least 4 toolbars showing at all times. Here’s a screenshot of my regular Firefox toolbars:
So when I installed Google Chrome the other day, naturally one of the first things I did was try to install my beloved Firefox Add-Ons.
At first I noticed that Chrome automatically imports all your bookmarks from any other installed browser of your choice. Good sign! My bookmarks folders were even laid out across the bookmarks toolbar folder in exactly the same order:
I quickly noticed, though, that my RSS feeds - which are normally organized within these folders - were no where to be found.
So what about those Add-Ons? Well, I have good news and bad news.
The Good:
Chrome comes equipped with a ton of Chrome plug-ins, pre-installed. That makes it more user-frendly off the bat than Firefox and basically results in a truly “plug and play” experience upon installation.
Additionally, at any time you can import your bookmarks and settings from any other browser installed on your PC.
The bad:
For starters, there is no Google Toolbar. Yes the address bar works just like a search bar, but if you’re looking for all those extra gadgets the Google Toolbar provides - like PageRank Checker and AutoFill - fawget about it!
Most importantly, there is as yet no ability to import or download third party Firefox Add-Ons. Personally I love the Alexa toolbar, can’t work much without SEO for Fireox, and rely on Foxmarks to keep all my RSS feeds in line across PCs (it’s brilliant).
Aside from the utter lack of add-on capabilities, I have to say that Chrome is far ahead of the competition. It is sleeker, cleaner, more intuitive, and much … MUCH faster than any other browser I’ve ever seen. It seems to use about a quarter of the CPU compared to other browsers. Additionally, it’s got some really cool features such as incognito browsing and customizable application shortcuts.
All this to say … I love my add-ons but DAMN I LOVE CHROME! What to do…
Read my upcoming post for how to get Firefox add-ons in Chrome - really.
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6 comments ↓
Great article! I think i’m going to download and use chrome.
I miss Netscape
WOW is all I have to say. Totally agree with you, and being a non-plugin-fanatic (slows my machine too much sometimes) I love Google Chrome!
Chrome’s slick, quick & light. Compared to IE, Firefox, and Safari, it’s was the hands-down winner for resource allocation.
Last but not least, I think the one area where Chrome excels is the fact that most of your viewable area is the internet, not some branded browser interface.
Anyways, my 2 cents’ worth…
cheers
Okay, you convinced me to download Chrome. I hope this doesn’t mean I’m gonn have to test my website in yet another browser!
Get a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store or Costco and pull all the meat off. ,
So that’s how they make SPAM eh? Thanks for sharing.
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