Goolge FINALLY released the beta of its web browser Chrome. It only took them close to two years to do so. While not quite ready for prime time as my browser of choice (currently FireFox 3.5) it is super fast and has a lot to offer. For now it has won a coveted spot in my dock.
Chrome, Chromium, FireFox
However, I find myself wanting more. Extensions to be exact. They are currently turned of in the latest version of Chrome so you can’t install any of the great extensions that is currently available for Windows Chrome users. I am not sure why this is but where there is a will and a geek there is a way. Follow the steps below and you too will be in web browser extension heaven.
- While Chrome is great and all you will not (as of today) be able to install extensions on the Mac version. You will actually need to download the open source project on which Chrome is built, Chromium. The latest builds have extensions turned on. You can find the latest version here. Just download and drag to your Applications folder.
- Launch Chromium and head on over to the Google Chrome Extensions page.
- Choose an extension. I chose Chromed Bird first. You will notice that the Install button is greyed out.
- Even though the latest builds of Chromium have extensions turned on, the install button remains inactive. Thanks to grack.com we have a pretty neat solution.
- In Chromium drag the link in step 6 to your bookmark bar. If your bookmark bar isn’t showing goto View > Always Show Bookmark Bar
- Enable Extension Install
- This link will activate any extension for installation. Visit an extension page, again I am using Chromed Bird. The install button will still be inactive. Press the Enable Extension Install button in your bookmark bar.
- This Install button should now be active.
- Click the Install button and away you go.
