A while back, I posted an article detailing my switch to Google Chrome as my main web browser. Even as I have switched to Ubuntu (and also to the awesome Chromium daily builds – all the latest features of Chrome come to my browser every day), I believe that Chrome is the best browser on the market right now: it’s quick, it has great extensions, and it keeps innovating the web experience. While updating and improving my Chrome setup, I discovered two extensions that give my browsing more speed, and are easy to install and implement.
AdThwart
Pictured at the top of this post, AdThwart is an ad-blocker for Chrome. When I originally tried this extension, it didn’t work that great for me; it only blocked some ads, and it lacked the functionality of Firefox’s excellent AdBlock Plus. However, it has since updated, and it has eliminated my need to set up Privoxy – which was a little screwy with my connections anyway. AdThwart now allows you to tell it what ads it is missing, and with the recent news that ad blocking is about to get even better on Chrome, I’m happy to stick with this little extension.
Advertisements may make people money, but there’s no need for such intrusive and obnoxious ones (I’m looking at you, ESPN.com).
FlashBlock
Skip intro.
It’s the button that everybody knows and loves. Companies and web sites go to great lengths to put together fancy Flash presentations, but they just bog down web sites and make you click another button to get to where you really want to be. With FlashBlock, all those little Flash boxes are hidden unless you click on them. You can manually allow Flash on certain sites if you want, but without Flash loading on sites, they display much quicker. The internet is anxiously awaiting the full implementation of HTML5*, especially Steve Jobs!, but it’s going to be a while yet. Enjoy the Flash that you like and hide the Flash that you hate with this little extension.
*Note: for the layperson, HTML5 is a new, open-source method of embedding media onto web pages. It’s quicker and lighter, but it hasn’t been adapted across the board yet. It might be years.
So there you go, my fellow Nerds: two more great Google Chrome extensions. Do you have a favorite Chrome extension? Share it in the comments!
Tom is an entrepreneur and freelance writer, working out of his apartment full-time, or wherever he feels like taking his laptop. He doesn't take long European vacations or blogs on the beach. He's an Average Joe that took control of his life. He wants you to do the same.
