Google Chrome

[admin]

I have started to use Google Chrome as my main browser, and it's working out quite well. There are quite a few shortcomings in the Chrome browser, such as lack of proper bookmark management and missing text editing shortcuts (such as CTRL-Up/Down to skip to the next new line).

Performance wise, it's night and day compared to IE 7 and feels a lot more lightweight than FF. The integration with Google search in the address bar is extremely nice, and there are lots of nice little touches. Start up/shut-down is faster than FF3, as is the memory footprint.

Compatibility is good, although some site display differently than in IE or FF (but I'm finding the output to be closer to IE than FF). The full screen type interface is great, and increases the viewable area as well as reducing clutter at the top.

Overall, it's a great effort by Google and highly recommended. The problems will be fixed in upcoming versions, I'm sure, and they're not really deal breakers in my opinion.

[paglamon]

I am using it too,but not as the main browser yet. Pretty happy with its performance. Yes, it is way faster than FF on startup and the increased viewable area is a real plus.

[admin]

Another problem I've noticed is that it seems to cache pages too much, which can cause the latest version not to show up until you force a refresh.

[admin]

Another problem is that it seems unable to handle certain types of page redirects (302). Which breaks YouTube for me at the moment.

[admin]

Another problem is that it seems unable to handle certain types of page redirects (302). Which breaks YouTube for me at the moment.

Fixed this problem, as it was related to the firewall (Kaspersky)

[dr_ml422]

Hi admin. Glad you posted this thread as I was curious about Chrome myself since G-mail will periodically advertise it. How's it been until now? Any new differences or fixes? It's a month or so since this last post and I only came across it tonight so just curious. Thnx.

Also I see pretty much everything on FF3 screen wise so I'm thrown off by you and Pag's posts about the viewable screen size.

[admin]

There was a new version released since I posted, and it has added a new bookmark manager which is nice.

I'l still using it as my primary browser, the speed improvements over IE 7 and FF 3 is why. There is only one site that I use which doesn't work properly within it (because it uses a funny type of login), and for that, I have to switch to FF, but otherwise, it works pretty good.

The biggest issues (good or bad) I've found with it are:

1. It's too easy to shut down the whole browser, including all the tabs, and without a warning dialog asking you if you want to save the tabs

2. It still occasionally hangs, but the built in task manager usually solves it if you use it to close the "not responding" tab

3. It doesn't have auto-complete for forms (at least I haven't found the option to turn it on). Login management is nice in that it automatically fills in all the logins for you, but if you use multiple logins for the same site, you'll have to type in the username you want to use (and then the password will be filled in), but there's no auto-complete/drop down select option.

4. The incognito window is great for sites that you have "remember me" logins, but you also want to quickly login to another account without having to destroy the "remember me" login. For example, you can quickly check your other gmail accounts without having to log out of the current one.

[doctorhardware]

Not to change the subject has any one tried IE8 Beta release 2. I don't know if I will. The last time I updated some of the web site's were not compatible and would not load.

[dr_ml422]

FF automatically fills in the logins also. You mean like when I come here to DD my username and password are there already unless I did a clean up w/Ccleaner and erased all the cache etc... The bit about not having to log out of gmail to check something else out. What do you mean? If you just go to wherever else you want to go gmail will close, maybe not log out but you'll be at another window for that site. Are you talking about just searching for your other mail in gmail w/out having to close?

The autocomplete for forms maybe actually is a good thing right now that they're still working on chrome. I know it's a pita to have to put all your info in, like at reputable sites you purchase so that I understand.

I haven't used ie since I built my computer and started w/FF. Only times I've used it were for firmware updates which at the time FF couldn't do at the samsung site. I think I have ie 6 on here. I have enough of a time playing w/all the new software in digital video. Billy Boy's headaches are a bit too much. I'm looking at riding xp home until I can't anymore and then eventually going through w/e needs to be fixed w/w/e Billy has out by that time. That or diving into some new os, but that's another search.

[admin]

The incognito window basically allows you to open a new browser window that doesn't store any history or cookies or anything else, sort of like a fresh brand new browser (it still remembers passwords and all that though). It's also dubbed the "porn mode" by some for obvious reasons.

As an example, with gmail again, the way a normal browser works is that I can log in to my gmail account and check my email in the main Chrome window. Every time I type in mail.google.com, it should go to my inbox until I log out or close the browser, if I didn't use the remember me option. If I did use the remember me option, then even closing the browser and coming back, it would automatically log me back in. That's the normal behaviour.

But in this situation, if I wanted to quickly check another gmail account, then I would have to log out of the current one and log in again. With Chrome, I just open a new incognito window and log in there, and the main Chrome window is unaffected by this, allowing me to browse two gmail accounts at the same time, basically like having two browsers in one.

I also use this feature to test the forum, having one window where I'm logged into as myself, and another window as a test user or guest to check for bugs and such.

I guess you could do that with FF as well with certain options of plugins, but it's just simpler in Chrome. But it's the raw speed of browsing that's the main advantage of Chrome.

[dr_ml422]

I got it now. I didn't know you could go straight to your inbox by typing mail.google.com. I've been using notifier and clicking view inbox. Wait a minute. Now I get it. You're in your mail already and if you don't log out or close the browser then just typing mail.google takes you back to the inbox. Man, I've been logging in and out all this time.

Anyhow w/chrome using incognito you just open the other account w/out having to close the other one. I took a brief walk through the illustrated guide. It looks cool. Simple, and if its fast like they say then that makes it better. People complaining about the all in one feature of browser and urls. That's even simpler imo. Would I be able to check out chrome w/out it being my default until I get better aquainted and if like it change over? Guess so as explorer is on windows if I ever want it. Let me know for sure though.

They also have the bookmark thing updated like you said and a import/export for any add-ons. I'm getting w/this as the less clutter as its designed to have the better.

[paglamon]

@ admin,

I think you can stay logged in to multiple gmail accounts using the Gmail Notifier addon for firefox. Just right click on the icon and under accounts you can choose which account to open gmail in.

[admin]

Thanks paglamon, I thought there might have been some add-on to do exactly just that (and more). That's another problem with Chrome, it doesn't support add-ons like FF.

The rumoured next major FF version will have Chrome like speeds.

[dr_ml422]

Well its out now. Just got the notice to download newer version if this is the one that their talking about. Some of these add-ons also are buggy so that's another issue. There's another add-on called Gmail Manager or something like that that's suppose to do similar actions like Gmail Notifier.

I read up and posted about another e-mail app. called Gdow that seemed interesting. Suppose to not integrate into your system and still manage your mail. Just something to maybe take a quick look at and see where it's at as far as being a reputable, or for lack of a better word trusted app., and not some scam. Softpedia reviewed it a while back. This is cnets recent review> http://www.download.com/Gdow/3000-2369_4-10494629.html

[sword]

Just started using Chrome as a second browser for my wife, who is just learning to surf the net/email/chat, etc. I mainly use firefox because of all the add-on features and toolbar integrations (check out RoboForm if you need passwords and usernames filled in often). But the more I check it out now that it's downloaded, the more I'm liking it. It's so streamlined, and there's no worry about any kind of clutter. Just pure web page with only 2 buttons to worry about; no menus at the top which is weird at first, but then you get used to it.

And about the Gmail add-ons for FF, you have to constantly update them with each version of FF, and if it's not compatible with the latest version, well, you're screwed. With Chrome's Incognito mode (which should also be known as "this-was-a-genius-idea" mode, you don't have to worry about constantly needed to update any extras that slow down your browser as they constantly check for updates and load into the browser.

While I don't see it overtaking my FF as my default browser, it's good for a quick session surf without waiting for all my tabs to constantly load. Chrome supports separate instances for each tab so you don't have to wait for them to load as long, and if one crashes, it doesn't affect the others.

I've bookmarked the Chrome feedback page to send in suggestions/comments when I think of any. Here it is...