Google Chrome: Long Anticipated Browser Worth The Wait?

By Garrett Blanton posted on Sunday, September 7, 2008 - (Web Technology)

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Things Are Getting Interesting In The Browser Universe.

If you have not heard yet, Google just released an open source browser by the name of Chrome. The question around the office lately is how does it compare, and does it support the JVF Consulting Amass content management system (CMS)? Well, to make sure JVF is up to par we downloaded the beta version and gave it a spin. So... should JVF and other web designers be freaking out? The answer is: No.

Thankfully the wheel was not reinvented here, it turns out Chrome uses the same rendering engine that Safari, Adobe AIR, iPhone, and Android use. Something called 'Web Kit'. So as web designers, we don't have to worry about another browser rendering our code crazy. Chrome was also designed to improve on the way it handles JavaScript, one of the technologies used to make Web pages more interactive. The focus on JavaScript makes sense. JavaScript can eat up computer processor power, and if poorly used by a website, can crash the browser. One of the things Chrome promises is that if one browser tab crashes, it won't take down the whole program.

Chrome does puts together usability, stability, and performance under one open source roof. By keeping this open source and giving away the code, Google is practically begging other browser makers to take pieces from their browser and incorporate them into their own. Expect Chrome to be a platform for experimentation, since its only being used by a small percentage of the population don't expect this browser to be perfected anytime soon.

Unless you're a web developer, or like living on the technological edge, I don't recommend installing Chrome. But if you're daring enough and want a glimpse of what Chrome looks like, you can download it here.

Tags:

Web Browsers, Google, Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer, Firefox

Comments (13)

By free web directory posted on Sunday, September 21, 2008 @ 9:30 PM

Well, true. For the moment, I cannot abandon firefox because of all the plug-ins I have installed, but for speed and non-work-related browsing, I will be using chrome.
I hope by the next update they will release for normal users with all updated plug ins

By R. Ethan Smith posted on Sunday, September 21, 2008 @ 9:43 PM

Google Chrome is cool, but I don't forsee myself being a regular with anything other than FireFox for a while.

I enjoy the fact that Chrome is clean and simple, and the "most visited sites" page on launch of the browser, but I am just too fond of FireFox to let it go yet.

By Rohit IITJEE posted on Sunday, September 21, 2008 @ 10:11 PM

Chrome seems to not like Wetpaint too well. (My wiki) It feels like a beta, but I was impressed with its speed and how it imported all of my FF settings. I seemed to have issues with tabs being unresponsive with certain pdfs open as well. But that happens from time to time for me in FF as well.

.NET Development

By Bean posted on Monday, September 22, 2008 @ 10:50 AM

Im gona test/dl this browser now, Heard its faster then FF3
going to watch Dbz, bye
http://dbzepisode.org

By google chrome browser posted on Monday, September 22, 2008 @ 3:35 PM

Internet Explorer users are amateur and generally won't venture into more secure browsers. Unfortunately, I think those daring to install Chrome eat into the same market as Firefox.

By Spyware Fix posted on Monday, September 22, 2008 @ 5:45 PM

Google Chrome so far seems a lot faster than both FireFox and IE. I prefer FireFox because of the customizable options. Google Chrome has some bugs but I think it will have a bright future.

By wtr posted on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 @ 9:24 AM

I am very sceptical of google and will not use a browser from them as long there are other browsers out there, currently using IE and firefox.

By Helga Van Dyke posted on Friday, September 26, 2008 @ 11:07 AM

Chrome's built in webmaster tools are very handy, but then again, I have plug-ins like that in firefox too.
But I like where google is going with their new browser.

By Roger Hamilton posted on Sunday, September 28, 2008 @ 5:29 AM

I am actually having problems accessing online videos via Chrome. Anyone having the same problem?

By The Golden Thread posted on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 10:58 AM

I'm not too impressed with chrome yet. It still crashes a lot on me and is not as easy as IE to use. I like how you can see more of the screen though.

By Clickjacking Fix posted on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 @ 12:04 PM

"It's pretty pervasive," said Ryan Naraine, an IT security analyst at U.K.-based Kaspersky Lab. "exploits attack fundamental flaws in the way most browsers work, and cannot be fixed with a simple patch."..

With all that is being said I will continue to hold off on this release.