Confession #4 - Google Chrome Saved My Life

It's true...Google Chrome saved my life because it gave me back time and energy I was losing on other web browsers. We live in a fast-paced, busy world. So when I switch from Safari (on my home computer) and Firefox and Internet Explorer (on my work computer), I felt like life slowed down a bit for me. At home, we have only Apple computers. At work, I use a PC. Using the internet was so frustrating for me because I had to remember what bookmarks I had saved and where I saved them, etc. Then I switched to Google Chrome Browser and things began to change. Here are some key features that caused me to drop Safari, Firefox and Internet Explorer.

Syncs Across All Devices
There is a single login with Google Chrome. Once you are logged in all your bookmarks, extensions, apps, passwords (not that I save passwords automatically...I'd rather not do that on a computer) appear/save on all devices. No imports/exports of bookmarks is needed. If I bookmark a website at work it will also appear on my home computer. Let's be real. How many of us really finish our work at work? There is always that "one last thing" that I didn't get finished during the work hours and need to work on at home.

Chrome Extensions ROCK
I'm a huge fan of Chrome Extensions, those little extra features and functionality added to your web browser. I've said before that I'm a fan of the "one-click" button. If I have a task when using the internet and there is an extension that can let me perform that task in ONE click, then sign me up. Chrome Extensions serve many purposes like 1) making an article on the internet a PDF file without images or advertisements, 2) blocking inappropriate advertisements from websites, 3) splitting your screen into half, 4) shortening a long URL, or 5) summarizing an article for you. Here's a link to some of my favorite and most used Chrome Extensions.

Bookmark Naming with Icons
I have a million bookmarks. Well, maybe not a million, but I do have a ton websites that I bookmark. What I love about Google Chrome is that it allows you to skip "name the bookmark" and just use the icon that comes with the website. For instance, when I bookmarked Twitter, I did not have to keep the name "Twitter" on my bookmark bar. The Twitter bird icon appeared. By doing this I freed up room on my bookmark bar to add more bookmarks. Here's a sample of my bookmark bar. Maybe you recognize some of the icons.

Eduphoria, BlogLovin, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, MailChimp, ThingLink, etc

Best Google Chrome Extensions

Ok, I admit it. I'm LAZY! (For the lack of a better word, I chose that one.) I love to work. I work way too much. But when it comes to technology I want the quickest and fastest and shortest distance to where I need to go. So I wouldn't really call me lazy, more like EFFICIENT! If there is a way to do something in "one" click instead of "click, click, click" then I am all over it. Hence, why I am obsessed with Google Chrome Extensions. What is a Chrome Extension? I'm glad you asked. Chrome Extensions are small software programs that can modify and enhance the functionality of the Chrome browser. In layman's terms, it means I can just "click" something once and it can accomplish the task I need it to perform minus the "click, click, click." I thought I would share some of this efficiency with you by creating a ThingLink with all my favorite Chrome Extensions. You can hover over the picture and see a brief description of each Extension. If you click on the Extension it will take you to the Chrome Web Store where you can read more details or download. Take a minute and try out some of these Extensions.

I'll be nice and give you the TOP FIVE I use on a daily basis:

1. ABP - AdBlockPlus - it blocks advertisements on webpages. This is great when you are browsing YouTube. NO ADS!
2.  Hootsuite - this Twitter extension let's you post directly from a website. 
3.  Tab Scissors and  Tab Glue - these extensions work together allowing you to cut your tabs in half and then gluing them back together. 
4. One Tab - this extensions saves all the tabs you have open. You can name the link and share with others. 
5.  ShortenMe - shorten URLs and have a QR code for websites you have open with this extension.

Access the ThingLink by clicking here.