Wednesday, September 3, 2008

I stand corrected about Google's Chrome browser

One tiny but important aspect of my day job is to review new and/or popular versions of web browsers to make sure my company's web-based applications function properly.  This is especially true when a company like Microsoft introduces the next number version of IE (from IE7 to IE8, for example).  

In my last post, I made mention of Google's new entry into the browser universe, "Chrome".  I went on to say that people made too much of MS being the evil empire and that their products were just fine.  I also mentioned other browsers, like Firefox...a very popular browser for those anti-MS people.  Honestly, it always felt like a newer version of Netscape Navigator and I just never adopted it.

So I downloaded the beta of Chrome today.  After approximately 15 minutes of use, I made Chrome my default browser.  It really is that good.  I was astounded at how clean this app installed...no extraneous plugins immediately necessary...and how damned fast it is.  Makes IE 7 look like it's just standing still.  Kinda like the way Safari runs on a new iMac.  No fuss.  Just a powerful little app.  

Next up is IE 8 beta 2.  I've downloaded this beta and, while faster than IE7, it's no contender in compared to Chrome.  The install was a long arduous process that had me reboot my computer (Chrome was downloaded and installed in 10 minutes, no reboot).  One thing it does have are developer tools (idea taken from Firefox) that are truly nifty to have.     So, I will be using IE8 for occasional development troubleshooting.  Other than that, Chrome's my choice. 

Nicely done, Google.  I haven't been this impressed with any computer app in a long time.

4 comments:

bully said...

uhhhh yeah gotta agree with you there. after an hour or so i was convinced that it worked better than most other browsers out there. not having a mac i can't say about opera. anyhoo i like it, gonna use it, now we need a linux version.

mulderjoe said...

I've used the Opera for windows. Not a bad browser, but certainly not good enough to want me to make the switch.

There are a few pages which do not load properly with Chrome, like Sirius Internet Radio. But this is a beta, and you can report bugs in your own words. So that's something.

Still very thrilled. Should also point out that Chrome also has developer tools built in, just not as robust as IE8's.

Horroru said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Horroru said...

Bully wrote:
"after an hour or so i was convinced that it worked better than most other browsers"

Which translates to faster porn download time for all you pervs out there!

Thanks Bully!