• Adblock – this extension is what got me using Chrome as my primary browser.  Still don’t like some things in the current implementation, but it does the job.
• Browser Button for Adblock – Not used to the hotkeys yet, so I needed this.
• Docs PDF/PowerPoint Viewer (by Google) – It’s nice not using a plug-in to view PDFs.
• Easy Youtube Video Downloader – This can download a video as an MP3, which is cool.
• GMail Sender’s Picture Extension – Shows Google profile pics in Gmail threads.  Nice and lightweight.
• RSS Subscription Extension (by Google) – Must have this for RSS subscribing.
• Send using Gmail (no button) – Yes. Gmail should be the default mail client.
• Xmarks Bookmarks Sync – love this. cross-platform, sync profiles, etc.

(image courtesy of digitaltrends.com)

image courtesy of explodingdog.com

• iTunesKeys – Since I have a Dell SK-8135 keyboard at home and work, being able to use the media buttons run iTunes is nice.
• DropBox – Just started using this to share files between computers now that I have a new notebook.  it’s pretty handy, I must say.
• Daum Blue Firefox Theme – I think I’ve finally found a Firefox theme that I like.
• HootSuite – This online Twitter client is excellent, except for the Ping.Fm integration sends @replies.  It should be interesting how all of the Twitter clients handle the new Twitter list functionality.
• VLC – This media player is like a Swiss Army knife.  It plays everything.  And yes, you can have it play full screen on a second monitor by default.  The “f” hotkey sets it to full screen.  It does simple video conversions, too.
• Jing – Done a couple of screencasts with this bad boy.  Very nice.
• Google Wave – I was a little frustrated that it took so long to get an invite.  I think Wave has a bunch of potential.  I do agree with some that instant collaboration has it’s drawbacks.
• IETester – Excellent for cross-browser testing.  Yes, people still do that.
• FileHippo.com Update Checker – I’m a little anal about keeping my software up to date.  I run this, like, once a week.
• Notepad++ – I don’t really want to ever use the standard Windows Notepad again.  Macro recording functionality and code highlighting is nice for the quick edit.
• Irfanview – Did you know that Irfanview can open multipage PDFs and convert them to single page with a watermark?  Now you do.  There’s a reason why Irfanview is always on my favorites list.  It’s amazing.
• MozBackup – Need to move all of your Firefox settings from one computer to another?  Use this.
• Launchy I like Launchy.  It seems weird sitting at a computer that doesn’t have it.  If you want to use Win-Space as your hotkey and you have Google Desktop installed, do this.

1. Adblock Plus – ‘Nuff said.  First add-on I load after a fresh Firefox install.
2. Google Advertising Cookie Opt-Out
3. Autofill Forms – I use this for testing at work.
4. Customize Google – Lets me force strict filtering in SafeSearch for Google searches.
5. DownThemAll – If you ever need to download a bunch of whatever from a page, this is what you need.
6. Firebug – This tool is amazing. still feel like I have a ton to learn about it.
7. Greasemonkey – Love this, especially during NFL and NBA seasons.  Free live fantasy stats, baby.
8. TwitterBar – As if I need another place to tweet.
9. Web Developer – Yes, I know most of this functionality is in Firebug, but I started using Web Developer Toolbar first, so there’s some things I find easier.
10. XMarks – I love having my bookmarks and toolbars sync’d up.

How about you?  Any add-ons you can’t live without?

1. Create your signature in HTML in a text file named temp.html.  Here’s mine:

   <font style="font-family: Verdana;" size="1">
   Adam Spriggs //
   <a href="http://sprignaturemoves.com">sprignaturemoves.com</a> //
   <a href="http://yourchurch.tv">yourchurch.tv</a> //
   <a href="http://twitter.com/wvpv">twitter.com/wvpv</a> //
   816-555-1212<br>
   "what others do with talent, I do with obstinate fixation"
   </font>
   

2. Open temp.html in your browser — in another window
3. Enable Labs in Gmail
4. Enable the Canned Response feature
5. Compose a new email
6. Highlight your signature in the other browser window
7. Drag it into the body of your e-mail
8. In the Canned responses drop-down, choose new canned response.
9. Name it “html sig”
10. Click Settings turn off the signature
11. From now on when you compose an e-mail, simply choose “html sig” from the canned response drop-down.
12. Voilà

I’ve been trying figure out how I can integrate Google Voice into my phone interactions since I got an invite a couple of weeks ago.

Overall it’s a pretty amazing service. Good job, Google.

I would use it a LOT more if:

• I could enter a number with pauses, which would allow me to dial an extension.  Then I’d be able use it with my work phone.
• I could send short SMS codes and use GV with Twitter
• I could send an e-mail to my GV number like most of the wireless service do.  Then I could use the e-mail address with the server monitoring that I do at work.
• I could port my home number to GV.  This would be perfect when I wanted to dump my land line.