Topic: Google Chrome (open-source google browser) (Read 23342 times)

bachelorchow · « **on:** 02 Sep 2008, 16:05 »

Read about it here:
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/fresh-take-on-browser.html

Read the launch comic here (for reals):
http://www.google.com/googlebooks/chrome/index.html

Download it here (beta):
http://www.google.com/chrome

What do you think? I've been using it this morning, seems pretty good so far.

Xaris3514 · « **Reply #1 on:** 02 Sep 2008, 16:38 »

Chances are that I'll stick with FireFox, but I might as well check it out once a stable version is released.

celticgeek · « **Reply #2 on:** 02 Sep 2008, 16:39 »

I will probably check it out once they have a GNU/Linux version.

est · « **Reply #3 on:** 02 Sep 2008, 17:55 »

Man ok, I was initially sceptical but am reading the comic they made and now I don't even care if they've just taken Firefox and WebKit and mongrelised them, some of their ideas are really good. Even if I do not use this browser personally if they can implement these features well enough and have other browsers say "oh yeah, that looks good, we'll do that too" then it can only be a good thing.

Dimmukane · « **Reply #4 on:** 02 Sep 2008, 19:16 »

I'll use it when the feature set has expanded a bit. Right now, though, I'm somewhat attached to Opera.

bicostp · « **Reply #5 on:** 02 Sep 2008, 19:49 »

It's way too minimalistic for my tastes. There's nothing especially notable about it; it's just the illegitimate child of Gecko and WebKit. If anyone other than Google released it, nobody would care.

I can see this being part of a suite with Gears to blur the line between desktop and web applications*, but it's pretty unimpressive on its own. I'll stick with Firefox and Opera.

The little web designer in my head started screaming because it's just another browser to support and people will whine constantly if everything doesn't work perfectly with it.

* I really dislike web applications. I like being in control of my data, thankyouverymuch. I don't want it up on a server where anyone in that company can read it.

Be My Head · « **Reply #6 on:** 02 Sep 2008, 20:10 »

The huge deal with this is the fact that Chrome starts a new process for every tab and every web application. So that if one crashes the others are unaffected. Personally, I find this uses far too much memory.

imagist42 · « **Reply #7 on:** 02 Sep 2008, 21:20 »

Having tried it out, it works impressively fast--to a point. Once you get past 6-7 tabs, Firefox generally outperforms it in terms of memory usage, and depending on how much memory you have, potentially speed. But like others have said, it's very minimalistic, and most of the handy features you've grown used to in Firefox or Opera are missing. Many of those features are not worth giving up for this increase in speed.

Also, having the tabs on the top bar is the most annoying thing.

Dimmukane · « **Reply #8 on:** 02 Sep 2008, 21:40 »

I'm gonna chime in and agree with bicostp about user privacy real quick. It kinda worries me.

imagist42 · « **Reply #9 on:** 02 Sep 2008, 21:58 »

Well, the browser has that "privacy mode," where nothing you do while it's activated gets logged or recorded or whatever. Not sure if this prevents Google itself from spying on you during that time?

McTaggart · « **Reply #10 on:** 03 Sep 2008, 00:01 »

Love it, there's only one thing about it that pisses me off, no reload option in the right click menu. I tend to do everything with that menu so it hurts more than you'd think. It's clean and relatively pretty. The header could take a little less space but I'm really liking it so far. I still need to test the downloading, but there's no way that can be more broken than my firefox install's.

I love a tool that's not bogged down be useless features.

Ladybug · « **Reply #11 on:** 03 Sep 2008, 01:01 »

I think I'm far too attatched to Opera to switch (not that there's a Mac version yet anyways), but it's definitely an interesting idea, the whole starting a new process per tab-thing.. But I tend to have like 30+ tabs open, so maybe not. I'll keep an eye on it, and probably test it once a Mac version is released (hopefully), but yeah, it'll take quite a lot to get me to give up Opera.. And I don't even use a lot of the more "fancy" features Opera comes with, like mail, feeds, widgets, mouse gestures, notes etc.

It does sound interesting, though.

carrotosaurus · « **Reply #12 on:** 03 Sep 2008, 15:02 »

Apparently in the EULA there's a clause that allows google to use anything that you post from it. Read the articles here and here.

Quote

In other words, by posting anything (via Chrome) to your blog(s), any forum, video site, myspace, itunes, or any other site that might happen to be supporting you, Google can use your work without paying you a dime. They can go and edit it all they want.

Dimmukane · « **Reply #13 on:** 03 Sep 2008, 21:59 »

I'm still hesitant. Not because of the privacy so much anymore, but because I've got a good thing going that I don't want to fuck up. Honestly, my bookmarks are getting too complicated for me to ditch now.

Catfish_Man · « **Reply #14 on:** 03 Sep 2008, 22:10 »

This has some pretty awesome stuff. I'm actually quite shocked that they managed to maintain good performance with the amount of IPC they're doing. The process model is *much* more complex than the "one process per tab" that it gets described as.

blanktom · « **Reply #15 on:** 04 Sep 2008, 08:28 »

I checked this out, I didn't like it. I agree with whoever it was that said its over-simplified...it does look very sleek etc but navigation is just a pain in the arse. I dont know if thats just me, maybe I'm too wrapped up in my warm Firefox blanket!

Ozymandias · « **Reply #16 on:** 04 Sep 2008, 10:02 »

Yeah, this is terrible. It's no less bloated than any other browser, it's just able to do less.

Woooooooo.

Statik · « **Reply #17 on:** 05 Sep 2008, 12:52 »

Bookmarks can be imported automatically, and many of the features that I have installed in firefox are missing, hence my lacking immediate switchover. The multiple processes thing, IMO, is amazing for MOST internet users. Granted, Firefox saves tabs in the event of a crash, but the fact that no tab interacts with any other tab is pretty nice. I hadn't even thought about the potential for shitty websites to access legit websites via open tabs until I read about it in the Google docs thing, but I understand the implications.

For now, I'm still using Firefox, mainly because of my installed addons, but I can see myself switching to Chrome in the future, or, hopefully, firefox implementing some of the good features of chrome (which would be sweet).

Side note: Safari got released for windows, but I personally cannot stand the interface. Its like an ugly iTunes...

numb3rb0y · « **Reply #18 on:** 05 Sep 2008, 15:15 »

A lot of the backend stuff is really technologically impressive, but I guess I'll have to see how it runs on OS X. Call me superficial if you like but if it retains its Windows theme I'm not touching it. That being said, I'd assume skinning is going to be a real possibility, so if someone can get an AdBlock plugin it'll make a fine replacement for Safari (I don't use Firefox on my Mac because Gecko has some rendering problems with big pages on OS X).

gospel · « **Reply #19 on:** 09 Sep 2008, 21:09 »

Chrome is sweet and all, but it's a bit too much of a beta to take over Firefox. It still has some major seizures when trying to handle certain elements/flash. I can appreciate webkit, but they are doing some serious overhauls to Gecko--the Mozilla backend.

At any rate, I think Google's intentions were to create competition in the opensource/browser market. I don't see Mozilla switching to WebKit, but I can see them being pushed to trim down load times and rendering speeds. Their new JS engine is actually really fast, too. I think, ultimately, Firefox ~3.2/4 will be just as good as chrome. It may leave a slightly bigger footprint, but most computers have like 2GB+ of RAM anyways.

Hopefully, Firefox will take note of certain elements like the Opera-esque webpage, the pornography-safe mode, and a more ergonomic interface.

Also, chrome's way of handling "multiple tabs" is pretty retarded. I could open up 5 instances of firefox.exe too.

dennis · « **Reply #20 on:** 10 Sep 2008, 00:41 »

Quote from: Ozymandias on 04 Sep 2008, 10:02

Yeah, this is terrible. It's no less bloated than any other browser, it's just able to do less.

Woooooooo.

I wouldn't call it "bloated". It's in beta and works pretty well, and it's definitely faster than naked Firefox, perhaps faster than IE, and the multi-sandbox is pretty awesome.

I'll be sticking to Firefox for dev for the time being, seeing as I'm pretty much dependent on Firebug and some other dev extensions. For normal browsing, Chrome might be the thing.

Gospel: Multiple instances of FF isn't nearly as efficient as Chrome's protected sandboxes.

Melodic · « **Reply #21 on:** 10 Sep 2008, 06:57 »

If there is anything Mozilla should steal from Chrome, it's hands-down the tab dragging. I like that part a whole bunch!

Stryc9Fuego · « **Reply #22 on:** 17 Sep 2008, 06:39 »

I've permanently switched from Firefox to Chrome for one solitary reason: My flash files have sound now.

I had a particularly irritating issue crop up that affected both Firefox and Internet Explorer where I would have video for Flash, but no sound. I've tried Googling for a fix, but could not find one that worked. I don't know specifically how Chrome handles Flash differently from Firefox or IE, but Flash works now.

Hooray! YouTube!

Catfish_Man · « **Reply #23 on:** 19 Sep 2008, 23:49 »

Quote from: Ptommydski on 18 Sep 2008, 15:11

massive

It consistently annoys me how everyone thinks that they are the typical user. Seriously, most computer users have no idea what gestures are in this context. I agree it'd be nice though.

Spluff · « **Reply #24 on:** 21 Sep 2008, 01:47 »

I honestly had never ever heard of Mouse Gestures until this thread.

SilentJ · « **Reply #25 on:** 21 Sep 2008, 23:07 »

Yeah, me neither.

But I feel like if I got used to them they'd be pretty awesome.

EDIT: However I feel like they'd be hard to use with a laptop. Any laptop users find a way to use 'em, short of just getting a mouse?

valley_parade · « **Reply #26 on:** 22 Sep 2008, 08:52 »

Quote from: Spluff on 21 Sep 2008, 01:47

I honestly had never ever heard of Mouse Gestures until this thread.

You thought you were confused..I don't even have a mouse!

Catfish_Man · « **Reply #27 on:** 22 Sep 2008, 14:52 »

We shall see. I think if Google puts a download link on their front page, even a good chunk of regular people will give it a try. Maybe I'm just overly optimistic though.

Spluff · « **Reply #28 on:** 22 Sep 2008, 17:34 »

Quote from: Ptommydski on 22 Sep 2008, 11:40

Definitely most people don't know what they are but I would also argue that only web savvy people would even consider changing to a third party browser so my argument still stands.

I'm not too sure, Google is pretty big and has the power to win over a large share of the market. My mother who is, in essence, a technological vegetable, got Chrome on her new laptop - so she started using it just because it was there.

dennis · « **Reply #29 on:** 23 Sep 2008, 19:40 »

Mouse gestures originated in Opera, I believe.

Catfish_Man · « **Reply #30 on:** 24 Sep 2008, 04:30 »

Actually the technique is significantly older than Opera's implementation (which dates back to 2001), although theirs is the first browser I'm aware of that includes gestures beyond dragging. http://www.billbuxton.com/chunking.html is a paper from 1995 that discusses some of the concepts behind it, although obviously it's evolved quite a bit since then.

lief · « **Reply #31 on:** 27 Sep 2008, 06:35 »

Was always a firefox fan, I'm using google chrome now, have been since I got my new lappy. After a while of using it I have noticed that it has some problems, which is bound to happen. (some things just dont show up that are supposed to) otherwise I'd give it an A.

Chesire Cat · « **Reply #32 on:** 27 Sep 2008, 12:55 »

Reading up on this, its really interesting stuff. Seriously companies like Facebook and Google are reinventing the internet, and Im happy as shit they've maintained themselves as private enterprises who are not beholden to conservative stock holders.

Melodic · « **Reply #33 on:** 27 Sep 2008, 13:35 »

Facebook is reinventing the internet? Huh?

Melodic · « **Reply #34 on:** 27 Sep 2008, 13:47 »

I don't really think Facebook can be credited for "revolutionizing" the internet. What it does, it does very well, but it hasn't introduced anything profoundly new or inventive that I can think of.

Chesire Cat · « **Reply #35 on:** 27 Sep 2008, 14:19 »

Through constant improvement and outside the box thinking, google for instance has dominated the search engine market, taking out Microsoft, Altavista, Yahoo, AOL, Ask Jeeves etc, established companies all. Then went on to dominate the internet advertisement by using its own tracking resources and even more amazing thinking. Youtube did much the same thing, instead of downloading funny videos or email attachments, it was refined and polished streaming and turned it into a viable business and brought it to the masses. Hi5, WAYNE, Friendster, Myspace, Photobucket, Flikr and others have also been rendered largely obsolete under the Facebook umbrella. I get that some of these still have their uses Myspace for music, or say, Photobucket for hosting Avatars or questionable material.

Basically after the internet bubble burst, and companies were expected to run like businesses instead of hobbies few website devs have had such an impact as Google, Facebook and Youtube, and the continual improvements on their products have kept them relevant in a highly contested and fluctuating market. Tell me who did more for the internet than Google, and dont give me any of this legacy BS that doesnt mean squat now, or for connecting people, Facebook is the prime tool for internet communication, most people I know who are active on FB, which is to say, largely EVERYONE under 30 and many above that age use standard email outside of business use. Even MSN, AIM and Yahoo IMs are loosing tonnes of market share to FBs IM capabilities.

Even considering things like Ebay or Paypal, they made their statement and caused immense changes, but that are stagnating. They arent pressing forward with new ideas and improving on their model and expanding in any significant way. Unlike Google or Facebook which clearly have been.

Uber Ritter · « **Reply #36 on:** 27 Sep 2008, 15:17 »

Yeah, but is facebook going to turn one of the post important sites on the net into a viable buisness? Personally I think it's too bloated already, and will only get more so as revenue-generating stuff is added. I think that's at least part of what happened to myspace.

Chesire Cat · « **Reply #37 on:** 27 Sep 2008, 23:10 »

Viva la revolution!

*edit*

I gave'er a go, and its pretty cool, but the lack of an ability to scroll up for whatever reason, is going to keep it in the back burner until that issue gets rectified. Anyone else running into this issue? My mouse cursor changes to the scroll up/down cursor, but scroll up just isnt in the cards for me.

est · « **Reply #38 on:** 28 Sep 2008, 16:57 »

I tried it here at work just then and I am not experiencing the problem, but at home I get the same thing when using my laptop's touchpad scroll thinger.

Chesire Cat · « **Reply #39 on:** 28 Sep 2008, 19:24 »

I never did try with my mouse hooked up, but as long as its a universal prob, they will get crackin' on that.

Catfish_Man · « **Reply #40 on:** 28 Sep 2008, 21:28 »

That's http://code.google.com/p/chromium/issues/detail?id=4

LittleKey · « **Reply #41 on:** 08 Oct 2008, 11:57 »

Quote from: Chesire Cat on 27 Sep 2008, 23:10

Viva la revolution!

*edit*

I gave'er a go, and its pretty cool, but the lack of an ability to scroll up for whatever reason, is going to keep it in the back burner until that issue gets rectified. Anyone else running into this issue? My mouse cursor changes to the scroll up/down cursor, but scroll up just isnt in the cards for me.

I'm getting this problem too. And yeah, it's also the reason I'm staying with Firefox for now (One of the reasons.) It's promising though, chrome looks nice.

Chesire Cat · « **Reply #42 on:** 08 Oct 2008, 12:35 »

Every couple days I check for an update, if one comes and fixes it, Ill post in here.

Catfish_Man · « **Reply #43 on:** 08 Oct 2008, 17:19 »

At the moment they're in merge hell picking up the last 4+ months of WebKit work. I wouldn't expect to see an update for another week or two.

Stryc9Fuego · « **Reply #44 on:** 15 Oct 2008, 07:37 »

Anybody know how to set the history to zero days? I haven't found this yet and I need to find a way to delete all my ~~pornography~~ family-friendly websites.

schimmy · « **Reply #45 on:** 15 Oct 2008, 11:04 »

Why not just use incognito windows? Isn't that what they're for?

Chesire Cat · « **Reply #46 on:** 01 Nov 2008, 18:21 »

Current version doesnt have the issues with laptop scrolling. But Hotmail doesnt want to let me use the Full Live version with preview bar and all that

Ptommydski · « **Reply #47 on:** 09 Dec 2009, 03:25 »

Google Chrome Extensions.

Includes an Ad-Block and Flash Block among others.

LTK · « **Reply #48 on:** 09 Dec 2009, 11:43 »

About time they added the extensions to the stable release channel. I've been using Smoothscroll for Chrome. It's not perfect, but will make scrolling a lot easier on the eyes.

est · « **Reply #49 on:** 10 Dec 2009, 03:17 »

Awesomes, I'll give it a go.

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Author Topic: Google Chrome (open-source google browser) (Read 23342 times)

Xaris3514

numb3rb0y

lief

Ptommydski