With the release of Google’s new web browser named “Chrome”, will this mean a shift in browser usage?
It’s the same situation as Firefox found itself in nearly four years ago, and it’s only just catching Microsofts browser.
So, is Chrome any good? I downloaded the BETA yesterday and have been playing ever since.
I am pleased to say it’s extremely fast. It features a new open source Javascript Engine named “V8″ as well as multiple tab processing. This means the browser can handle processes from each individual tab rather than processing the lot at the same time, which competitors such as Firefox 3 and IE7 do (IE8 BETA has a similar system to Chrome).
Although it may take up a little more memory and power it ultimately makes for a faster browsing experience and more stability. If one of the processes fail you only lose one tab rather than the whole browser.
Firefox has a similar stability system included where it re-initiates your tabs after a crash. Google Chrome never has to close when a piece of dodgy Javascript breaks the tab. It just closes it.
Things I like in Chrome:
- The truely awesome Chrome Inspector
A great debugging tool is built right into Chrome. Want to know what’s making your page load slowly? Not sure how long your page takes to load? Want to know which elements load first? This shows you the lot. You can see which order elements load, how long they take to load, how long it takes for each element to load after the previous as well as file information and the built in debugger and property inspector. You have to use it to truly understand it’s complexity. Simply click the control button, then down to Developer>Javascript console and click away!
- Incognito Browsing (and the awesome logo)
It’s basically a porn mode. Very much like IE8’s new privacy feature. Upon opening this new “Incognito Window” all your history and web cookies won’t be stored meaning your basically invisible on the internet. It also means your mom/mum won’t find that dirty website you have been visiting over the past few days…
I also love the “spy” logo very similar to Gamespys logo. It looks very cool for a Google graphic! (I also love the Chrome logo).
- The iGoogle like welcome page
When opening a new tab you have the option of showing a “New Tab page”. It shows your most visited websites in order and also shows your full browser history with time and date. Clicking show full history actually allows you to see your online travel path. The new tab page also shows new bookmarks and recently closed tabs. A feature I like very much as losing closed tabs can be easy.
- Organised tabs
When you have several tabs opened, keeping track can be difficult. And when Firefox adds your tab onto the end of the list it can be hard to find again. Google Chrome adds the tab next to the currently opened one, which helps keep them organised. The more tabs you have open at any one time, the harder it becomes to sort, and the more valuable this feature becomes.
Click on the image to see a better example.
- Unobtrusive status bar
This is a personal preference. The more browser space is available, the better. This means you can see more of the page at any one time. Even if it is 10px worth of space, every little bit helps.
When hovering over links the status bar pops up in the lower left corner, then fades away when you move away from the link. Simple and effective.
To be honest I could write about the new Chrome all day, but I know that it’s already been well documented. Maybe I got a little carried away.
To download Google Chrome simply head over to their website.
Please note: This tutorial is for beginners. It’s a short vague guide to push you in the right direction. I believe “learn by seeing and doing” is the best approach.
