First Impressions of Google Chrome
Submitted by Taran on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 02:49
After I wrote about Google Chrome, it seems rather unfair that I not try it out. I headed over to Google to find out where they had released it, and lo! There's a link to Google Chrome (Beta) on the front page of Google. Within moments I began writing this on KnowProSE.com.
A few things.
Pages load noticeably faster than they did with Seamonkey and Firefox, especially with AJAX/javascript code running on the pages (such as here on KnowProSE.com). I'd compare it to Internet Explorer, but I don't use IE because it leaves a funny taste on my desktop.
The interface is so simple that this old school geek was just a little confused at first. It is clean, it lets me look at the content instead of wasting real estate on a whole bunch of features, and... did I mention that it's fast? And it seems that it uses the same palette that Mozilla class browsers used. Froody.
The first problem I have with the browser is that it lacks email functionality aside from online email applications. That doesn't make me happy. It means I still have to run an email application for all my email since... I maintain archives outside of an email provider, and I have them organized a certain way so that I can find things if I need them. Now, I know, Google Chrome is a web browser - but guess what? I want email integrated. That's why I like Seamonkey. It's integrated. Would it be too much to ask for this lowly user to have some email functionality with Google Chrome? I hope not. In fact, I hope it's coming because - frankly - I am digging this browser so far.
Give me about a week with it. I'll see if I can make it scream. ;-)
well you know, there is
well you know, there is *gmail*
i know it's not what you want but it might be what google is thinking
I use gmail.
...Hops on Soapbox again since people keep telling me the same thing...
But I use it offline so that I can access it even when I do not have internet access - and also because I think my data belongs on MY computer. That is why I wrote this line:
Gmail doesn't let me read my email when I am traveling. And Gmail is on someone else's server - not my own system. I don't like that.
I like my privacy, and I like my email where I can get it whenever I want to - and search it myself (which I can!). Thank you very much.
Get an email client.
very funny But that is why i
very funny
But that is why i never told you to use it...no need to overuse your soap box
I read your post and I know it doesn't fit your needs
I just said that's what google might be thinking
And i could say the same to you..."get an email client" (not a browser)
Personally, i don't like my email client to be the same as my web browsing client and it's one of the reasons i don't use opera...it's got an email client in it? ewww. but I don't downgrade it because of that.
They can't please everybody
And it's only beta
Maybe there's a reason you think it should have a email client in it beyond it's what you need.
But if you value your privacy, why google browser? there seems to be issues with their EULA...granted they say they've updated it retroactively...but then, don't they always
No issues with their EULA.
It's open source. No EULA.
As far as privacy - we're talking about web email. Did you know that there are laws in the US where the government has rights to sniff your email on servers through ISPs and, quite possibly, email servers such as on Gmail, et al?
And do you really want to have to look at advertising through these 'free' services so you can read your email?
I find I am repeating myself again.
I tried Google Chrome for about an hour last night...
Hey Taran after reading your first blog about Google Chrome it was rolling in my head and then I was in the mad lines at the banks here yesterday and I saw a snip about it on CNN. So when I got home after the long hot dry and tiring day...I was very sleepy and tired still when I did the trial despite an early evening snooze. So I wasnt fully alert when I did my trial around 11 PM last night...but yep I just went to google and saw it there...I am only recently using Mozilla Firefox myself...Im not the type to run after the newest technologies but I realise too the reason I wasnt so bothered by Internet Explorer is cause I didnt yet have broadband!...it so made sense the processes thing...like you wrote on your initial blog that also hooked me...or jumped out at me in the cartoon...I like the thing too with how you had to be waiting on java...I didnt watch the Youtube vid just the cartoon strip.
Thing is I dont like change much is why I dont jump at new technology I normally wait for it to be out and tried and tested...prices to drop...Im fine playing catch up but hey this one is free! But yea I think cause Im slow to change Ive only been getting comfy with Mozilla and now to go to Google Chrome...thing is though it was very apparent that the change to Mozilla Firefox from MS IE was much smoother. You know Mozilla made me want to move in...with all the add ons and such fun! But going to Google from Mozilla...hmmmm...not yet...cause they didnt make me feel at home...I felt like leaving my nice tricked out apartment and moving into a bare unfurnished one. I dont know it that was the point but I so missed my Mozilla...I tried to see if I could get similar comfort features on Google but coulndt figure out to get it if there are such features. It was faster Ill agree with you on that and I liked the page they have that shows the sites you visited on a pages and you just click. But I mostly missed my shortcut bar...is it there is one on google chrome and I didnt know how to use it? I saw it had something offerring me to be able to transfer all my saved passwords over from mozilla so that will help lazy me esp since I only recently moved to mozilla so not quick to move again unless it was a big incentive. I know its lazy but just not having some shortcut buttons at the top of my browser made me feel bare or at a lost...while i know for some they would welcome the less clutter. I figure I can get all that as add ons anyway but when I tried to get add ons I was only getting links to Mozilla stuff. Somehow it convinced to rush back home to old Mo Firefox before an hour!
Then stick with SeaMonkey
Google is trying to get rid of bloat and create a browser optimized for web apps so I don't quite see how you can expect it to fill your POP needs. It is also an early beta which is concentrating on getting browsing done right.
Many developers are working on a model that assumes close to 100% wired time so it makes sense Google has chosen to ignore including an email client that would appeal to a minimum of users..
How can I not expect it to fill my needs?
A browser is a part of a desktop. And making my desktop more complicated because I choose to use POP email instead of a web service does not make me less of a user. Because I don't want to leave my email on someone else's server shouldn't make me less of a user. *Ahem*. Do you get my point?
Yes, I will stick with Seamonkey. Why? Because I need more than what Google is providing - and that should be a hint. Removing the bloat is fine, but when cutting the fat off don't touch the meat. Mozilla made that mistake with Firefox, IMHO - and that whole POP email issue may be a large part of Firefox's relatively low penetration. Businesses use POP. Business users use POP.
That's the way it is. And that's at least one reason why Microsoft's Outlook and IE remain on so many desktops. There's no excuse for a web browser to not be able to use POP email. Get real.
But as you know, Outlook and
But as you know, Outlook and IE are not the same application...(they may appear so to the layman on windows who just can't be bothered to switch).
You can use one and use another client to replace the other.
My firefox uses POP email without any trouble with an independent client. You are not a lesser user just because you think others think you are. You just have different needs.
Yes, I know that....
but they are bundled together and work together.
I know I'm not a lesser user. I'm just tired of people trying to tell me what I should use when I plainly know what I want and have communicated it clearly.
I've never told you what you
I've never told you what you should use.
I don't tell anybody what they should use (unless it's family or somebody else who's asking me).
Ooo just wait.
Firefox came out before Thunderbird which came out before Seamonkey (I think...unless the last two came out around the same time) and the first two are sorta bundled together.
Maybe google might do the same kinda thing.
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