I prefer to use D-pad over the analog stick. But if you have to input a very fast combo (such as a critical edge) I use the analog stick. I guess it just depends on the situation.
You could always try chromium. It is not google chrome, it is a different browser. Although it looks a lot like chrome, it isn't . I use firefox now though, but I have used chromium before and I prefer it over Google Chrome.
Recently E.A. has started "On the house" on it's DRM origin and gives away free games. So far they have given away Dead Space, Battlefield 3, and right now they are giving away plants vs zombies. So you can check there every now and again for free games.