One solution I see (though not optimal), is to install only those extensions you really can't do without, and then have them disabled by default. When you need to use its function though, enable it (only for that short session), and then disable it later.
Otherwise, I have inspected many seemingly innocent extensions like JaSON and REST Console (both meant to run in own tabs, without need to read/modify data on sites I visit, but which nevertheless request for these permissions!). I quickly noted that many other extensions did request for these perms as well... So, for now, for the ones I can't uninstall, I'll just disable them, and only opt-in (maybe in incognito), when I need to use them.
We've been using Achievo daily since I joined my current employer in 2009. It's also web-based (residing on the intranet, but with a global hook).
It might be worth checking it out as an alt + it's been Free for as long as I've known it. It Open Sources as well, and those with experience of ATK would easily join dev.
IMO if a user opts in for auto-fill, they admit that anyone having access to the browser can sign into any of their "protected" accounts. And thus, for a browser to store passwords and auto-fill them in (as plain text) is not the real problem.
The problem with what Chrome is doing is that it not only allows anyone to access your "protected" resources (if they have physical access to your browser), but that they can easily peek at, and possibly export those password for use elsewhere (say on entirely different machines / apps) without you knowing or detecting this - since by then, they don't need physical access to your browser. This IMO is the BIG FLAW!
The modern version of misfits are already crafting the brothels of tomorrow - check how this porn site disguises itself amidst today's ignorance of psychology.
If more people can join these efforts (even as early adopters), it would do us all (the entire internet village) a great benefit in fighting back against the System.
There are times when I've taken it upon me to believe that if I post something I've worked on to HN and it doesn't draw any attention (good or bad), that what I'd assumed to be 'important' in the judgement of my 'peers' is actually no. That way, I get myself simple, but effective feedback...
"OTHER characteristic features of “depressive” Internet behavior included increased amounts of video watching, gaming and chatting."
Well, then I guess G+ users are on the better side of things given that games are being scrapped off of the platform - sorry for all you depressed FB users :-)
>I'll happily sit in front of the computer the whole day, and if the kids distract me when I'm in the middle of something, a certain amount of cursing might happen.
Personally, I prefer not to have my conversations with other people on such platforms persisting beyond the conversation - the reason I hate twitter and Facebook (with some other reasons of course). I prefer IRC or specialized communities like HN or SO and the like, interaction on these doesn't hurt.
Otherwise, I have inspected many seemingly innocent extensions like JaSON and REST Console (both meant to run in own tabs, without need to read/modify data on sites I visit, but which nevertheless request for these permissions!). I quickly noted that many other extensions did request for these perms as well... So, for now, for the ones I can't uninstall, I'll just disable them, and only opt-in (maybe in incognito), when I need to use them.