Google has posted an official update to the Chrome browser. If
you aren't already using the beta or developer editions of Chrome,
this version most notably adds support for extensions in
Chrome.
Extensions are small add-ons that can be installed on top of the
core browser. Extensions range from simple shortcuts on your
toolbar to utilities like instant page translation or scripts to
share content in your favorite social media site.
Once you have updated your Chrome installation, you can find
extensions by selecting Extensions from the tools
menu. Click on the link at the bottom of the page that says Get
more extensions to load this site:
https://chrome.google.com/extensions
To mark the occasion, I am going to post a few of my favorite
extensions. The first one in the series is the
IE Tab extension. This is a very useful tool for web
developers.
If you work in web development or design, multiple browser
testing is a must. IE Tab allows you to immediately open the page
you are viewing in Chrome (in a new Chrome tab). The new tab uses
Internet Explorer to display the same content. This lets you
quickly test the differences in content and layout between Chrome
and IE without having to switch windows.
Once you install the extension, you will see a new toolbar item
in Chrome:
Any time you are viewing a page and would like to switch between
Chrome and Internet Explorer, click this button to open the same
page in Internet Explorer:
You will notice that there is a second control strip located
just below the normal Chrome toolbars. This is where you have
access to Internet Explorer options, bookmarks, and other
controls.
Bookmarks that you add while in the IE tab will automatically
re-open in Internet Explorer.
It is important to note that the Internet Explorer windows do
not share cookies, passwords, or other user-specific information
with Chrome, this is definitely a good thing.
As the developer of IE Tab also states, this is not only a
useful tool for web developers and testers, but it also allows you
to use applications that require Internet Explorer, I currently
deal with two companies that have Internet Explorer-specific
applications.
