christianboyle
1/21/2013 - 7:03 PM

I don't like having the bookmarks bar visible in Chrome. It takes up too much room and looks ugly. Chrome extensions, on the other hand, sit

I don't like having the bookmarks bar visible in Chrome. It takes up too much room and looks ugly. Chrome extensions, on the other hand, sit next to the omnibox and have their own icons (which show active/inactive states and secondary options). This seems far better to me, and I end up using them way more often than bookmarklets (which are only visible if you have bookmark bar set to visible and move them to first position, before any bookmark folders). That's why I love Chrome extensions. Here's a list of my current favs.

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**Adobe Edge Inspect** 
*Used while working on mobile/responsive sites to view natively on iPhone, updates in real time.*
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/adobe-edge-inspect/ijoeapleklopieoejahbpdnhkjjgddem

**Benchwarmer**
*This has replaced my pinned Dribbble tab. "New tab" extension, no URL bar icon, transforms your new tab's background into a list of Dribbble popular/everyone/debut/following (you pick) shots.*
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/benchwarmer-the-dribbble/lhdjhhpjicomphhjpehdhjenbaamdpnn

**Bitly**
*Used with custom .htaccess rule and vanity domain to shorten links with 2 clicks.*
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/bitly-%E2%99%A5-your-bitmarks/iabeihobmhlgpkcgjiloemdbofjbdcic

**Colllor**
*This has replaced 0to255.com for me. Useful for finding just the right hex.*
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/colllor/fnoilmekojpnaeflcgpificdgchalamn

**LastPass**
*I'm terrible with passwords, LastPass fixes that. Somewhat of a tricky setup, but once you get going you'll never go back. Tools to generate unique pw's, store credit card info to enter with a single click. The extension auto-populates username and password so you never have to remember it again.*
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/lastpass/hdokiejnpimakedhajhdlcegeplioahd

**LiveReload**
*Page refreshes automatically on file save. Local or remote projects can be used. One of the best tools around.* 
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/livereload/jnihajbhpnppcggbcgedagnkighmdlei?hl=en

**MagicScroll Web Reader**
*I alternate between this and Readability, but have been using this more often when at my desktop. Readability more when needing to save to read later on phone. Enjoying the experience of using MagicScroll with Magic Trackpad.*
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/magicscroll-web-reader/ecldhagehndokdmaiaigoaecbmbnmfkc

**Screen Capture (by Google)**
*Used when OSX screen capture won't cut it and you need a full-page (including everything off-screen) shot. Also, super easy for novices to install and use.*
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/screen-capture-by-google/cpngackimfmofbokmjmljamhdncknpmg?hl=en

**Text Free Browsing**
*This is fun to use in various ways. Viewing Tumblr tagged search results to scan for media is pretty cool.* 
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/text-free-browsing/ioglfbphilinnhdmfbmfljmhemegfcdg/

**WhatFont**
*One of my favs. Turn it on and hover any text, it will pull the font-family from the CSS and display it above the cursor.*
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/whatfont/jabopobgcpjmedljpbcaablpmlmfcogm

**Window Resizer**
*For testing exact screen sizes when working on responsive sites.*
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/window-resizer/kkelicaakdanhinjdeammmilcgefonfh