Web developers are most productive when they work in a software environment that enable them to code most effectively. The same goes for web designers. It might be Photoshop for visuals or Dreamweaver for building web sites. Some coders prefer a simple text editor. Generally most web professionals have a platform of preference to have their repeated tasks saved for quick access and to be more productive.

As a social media maker, practitioner, manager and consultant my work environment is the browser. The platforms, tools and services I access day to day are accessed through this window on to the web. I have used and explored all the leading browsers. For a long time my browser of preference was Flock as I discovered it enabled me to perform tasks and monitor social media from one entry point to the web. Currently I use Google Chrome and RockMelt.

This post will show you why I favour it and how to begin optimising your browsing experience with Chrome as a web access portal. It can also be sychronised across all of your desktops and laptops providing quick access to cloud computing and social management needs.

On the initial installation of Google's Chrome browser this is what you see.

It's clean and simple. On first appearances a Google search engine app. A few changes in the settings makes Chrome into a productivity window on the web. One you can return to in the click of a button.

In the setting options the Google Search is the default selection in the Toolbar settings. To add a Home button tick the "Show Home button" and in the Homepage settings tick the "Use the New Tab page" box (shown in the screenshot below)

Clicking the new Homepage button creates an interface showing the most recent visited pages in the browsers history producing a visual" paper trail" of your most recent web activity.

Just like your computer's desktop has icons to open the most used applications arranged to your liking so Chrome can do this for your web apps, social networks and cloud software like Gmail, Google apps, Twitter, Facebook, MailChimp, FreeAgent, News Sites and many popular web hosted applications and platforms.

Boo... No extensions installed :) says the next screen prompting you to "browse the gallery". If you are familiar with app stores for mobile devises you will recognise the service. This is Google's app store. Search and install your regularly accesses platforms tools and services. Opening a new browser tab or clicking the Home buttom with return to the a web desktop providing you with a portal to your favoutite places on the web .

Google's browser applications are not installed on to the hard-drive of the computer. The Chrome web browser becomes the access portal through which you work. All from one place like a single application. It feels familiar, giving a cohesion to your web experience. No more fumbling around in the favourites. Now you have icons to click just as if you were on your desktop.

Sample apps I installed shown in the screenshot above

Gmail (Google's email services)

Pixlr Editor, a feature rich graphics editor

Wunderlist, a beautiful list making and sharing app

TeamBox, a collaboration online work platform

FreeAgent, an accounting and invoicing package for freelancers

TweetDeck, multi account and monitoring platform for Twitter

This is just the begining of optomising your browsing experience with Chrome.

Is this useful?

It was only when I was raving about why I now use a chrome based web browser and saw my partner had no idea what I was talking about, and then found it difficult to activate it I realised it should be blogged. I recently spoke to a business contact who recounted without betraying a confidence a mutual friend who says they have known me for years have no idea what I do but is sure that what I do I do realy well! Helping clients and thier employees access the Internet effectively is one of the things! An optomised browser environment is so important.