Google Chrome - a new browser enters the fray...

[Paul Shields]

Now this should be interesting... Google have decided to launch their own browser. Expect the Windows version to be available today, with Mac and Linux versions to follow.

Official Google Blog: A fresh take on the browser

[mcbit]

Looks like it might be worth a try. I found the comic a bit tedious after about 15 pages though.

[felix.reichardt]

Now that's on ugly looking browser. I stay with Opera and Opera mini for my phone, best browser out there IMHO.

[jarrison]

Just downloaded it and trying it out. I didn't like the bookmarks toolbar, wish it just had a bookmarks button of sorts. The less I see of a browser the better. I also see there is a spell checker as I'm typing this. I do like right clicking in at the top of the main window and seeing the task manager. still a lit of tinkering to do.

[jarrison]

Originally Posted by felix.reichardt

Now that's on ugly looking browser. I stay with Opera and Opera mini for my phone, best browser out there IMHO.

Agree on Opera.

[JDArt]

Originally Posted by Paul Shields

Now this should be interesting... Google have decided to launch their own browser. Expect the Windows version to be available today, with Mac and Linux versions to follow.

Official Google Blog: A fresh take on the browser

Wow.

[JDArt]

Okay, I'm using Chrome right now to work with PhotoCamel. Already, I think it's awesome!

Here's a download link, folks:

Google Chrome - Download a new browser

[JDArt]

Originally Posted by jarrison

Just downloaded it and trying it out. I didn't like the bookmarks toolbar, wish it just had a bookmarks button of sorts. The less I see of a browser the better. I also see there is a spell checker as I'm typing this. I do like right clicking in at the top of the main window and seeing the task manager. still a lit of tinkering to do.

Hmm, I didn't notice the integrated spell checker. Not bad!

[jarrison]

This is the spell checker that works with chrome and some others. It's free.

GNU Aspell

[adamg]

I downloaded it a couple hours ago and so far, it seems responsive or even faster feeling. I say "faster feeling" because I haven't done much to get subjective measurements, but web pages seem fast to load. As far as the interface, I'm getting used to it a bit, but it seems intuitive. The only gripe so far is that my Firefox seems to hide more of the annoying ads that appear on pages. I'm always surprised when I visit some of my web pages with browsers other than firefox and see the whole page look different because more ads are displayed. Keep this going and post your gripes and accolades. Lets see how it goes.

[Paul Shields]

Just trying it out on my corporate laptop at the moment and it seems pretty usable for a beta. Performance certainly seems to be there. It'll not replace Firefox just yet until useful plugins become available (I can't live without foxmarks bookmark synchroniser due to the numerous boxes I use in daily life). Will also need chrome to be available for OSX and Linux.

It'll be interesting to see what plugins get developed. I somehow doubt they'll be keen on promoting an 'Adblock Plus' style adsense blocker .

[JDArt]

I can't figure out how to access individual bookmarks with the keyboard.

[Paul Shields]

Bookmarks seem a bit poorly implemented for now (though it could just be my inexperience with the browser). I've put my sorted bookmark folders in the bookmark bar which allows pretty quick access but there doesn't seem to be a way to organise them within the browser.

[Take12]

Originally Posted by JDArt

Okay, I'm using Chrome right now to work with PhotoCamel. Already, I think it's awesome!

Here's a download link, folks:

Google Chrome - Download a new browser

You may want to add that this download is for Windows only. A Mac version is still to follow.

You may also want to consider Chrome's EULA. Specifically this:

"By submitting, posting or displaying the content you give Google a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to reproduce, adapt, modify, translate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute any content which you submit, post or display on or through, the services. This license is for the sole purpose of enabling Google to display, distribute and promote the services and may be revoked for certain services as defined in the additional terms of those services."

Be sure to read Chrome's fine print!

[Mr. Pickles]

Their EULA doesn't bother me at all.

[JDArt]

Google is now a serious threat to Microsoft's core business, as I see it. The browser is the OS of the future, and I don't believe for a second the altruistic reasoning that Google is spreading around the net regarding why they felt compelled to release a browser.

[Paul Shields]

Google = 'dont do evil'

Apparently...

My view is: Google = maximum advertising revenue.

I wonder if the two can co-exist?

[JDArt]

Originally Posted by Paul Shields

Google = 'dont do evil'

Apparently...

My view is: Google = maximum advertising revenue.

I wonder if the two can co-exist?

I don't know, but the more I play with Chrome, the more I like it. It's blazing fast on PhotoCamel.

[adamg]

Uninstalled Chrome tonight. When asked what my reasons were, I typed in "Didn't see the revolution I was led to expect" as well as other gripes. I do this with a lot of software; I install them, test them out against my favorites, and then make a judgment. Firefox wins, simply because I have customized mine so much with add-ons and extensions. I'm looking forward to what google does in terms of future features.

[JDArt]

Originally Posted by adamg

Uninstalled Chrome tonight. When asked what my reasons were, I typed in "Didn't see the revolution I was led to expect" as well as other gripes. I do this with a lot of software; I install them, test them out against my favorites, and then make a judgment. Firefox wins, simply because I have customized mine so much with add-ons and extensions. I'm looking forward to what google does in terms of future features.

At least it didn't cost anything to try. My sense is that the browser is light enough not to be a burden on the system if left installed. Also, is it true that this browser updates itself automatically behind the scenes? I get that impression.