Google Chrome has managed to burst onto the scene and grab attention in a surprisingly short span of time. Most people love using Chrome because it is fast and simple. In other words it gets the job done. While simplicity is the biggest strength of Chrome, it is also one of its weaknesses. It lacks many essential features and is too bare-bones for many people.
ChromePlus is aimed as users who love the Chrome experience but want something more. ChromePlus is built on Chromium (the open source core of Chrome) and hence looks and feels identical to Chrome. However, it offers five additional features not present in Chrome.
Mouse Gestures: This is a real productivity booster. Once you get used to mouse gestures, you would wonder how you ever managed to live without them.
IETab: Many websites still refuse to adhere to web-standards and hence work properly only on internet explorer. IETab ensures that you can load even those websites in Chrome.
Super-Drag: This feature allows you to open links in a new tab by simply dragging and dropping them anywhere on the page.
Double Click to Close Tab: This is a standard feature which is present in almost all other browsers. It isn’t exactly a big deal for me, but is something that Google should have definitely included in Chrome.
Download Manager Integration: ChromePlus provides download manage integration via the right-click context menu. Download Managers supported are: NetAnts, Orbit, QQ Xuanfeng, IS, FlashGet3, FlashGetMini, NetX, WebThunder, Xunlei. While I was pleased to see support for Xunlei Thunder, I suspect that many users will be disappointed with the lack of support for popular download managers like FDM, IDM and DAP.
ChromePlus retains all the positive aspects of Chrome and any Chrome user will feel right at home. The support for Mouse Gestures as well as IETab is a big positive. ChromePlus is a better alternative to Chrome, atleast till Chrome extensions become more popular.
Download ChromePlus (11.65 MB)
Version Reviewed: 1.2.6.0
Operating System: WinXP/Win2003/Vista/Win7
License: Freeware
This is probably one of the best illustrations of the ‘benefits of opensource’.
A great idea [chrome] could be so quickly merged with great ideas from other browsers to create something to new, unique and powerful.
Shaunak De´s last blog ..Season’s Greetings Dr.Mallya