Chrome Won't Get You Home
by patndoris on Sep.02, 2008,under Computers
I couldn’t resist a little Harley humor on this one. But this post has nothing to do with motorcycles. It’s all about the new Google Chrome browser released today. I set aside my irrational fear of multiple browsers (for a few moments at least) and as you can guess, I plunged directly into the download. I generally love something or I hate it (uninstalling almost as fast as I installed the lackluster program.). But Chrome has me in a state of confusion - I like it - and I don’t.
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It’s fast and lightweight (on my system at least) and doesn’t tax my memory usage nearly as much as IE or Firefox. In fact, it’s only running at about one quarter (32K) of IE’s typical usage (on a good IE day that is). And I love the ability to drop my Google apps (gmail, google notebooks, and google calendar) directly on my desktop (or start menu, or quick launch). The link to my email just pops straight up no wait at all. Though these apps launch directly - not in a browser window - but I kinda like that. The interface is nice and clean, no real qualms there. The import of bookmarks and passwords was simple and flawless from what I’ve seen.
But - and this is a big one - I can’t launch Yahoo games. It says there is no plugin to support them. A little investigation shows I might be able to get around this by downloading the latest Beta version of Java 6 RC 10 but it’s listed as possibly unstable. And honestly, I don’t feel like downloading Java only to find my games don’t work on Chrome or IE. Yes, I know, I know, I could uninstall Java if it does not work, but I am simply not in the mood to pursue it right now. A quick look at Filehippo and this release candidate for Java isn’t even listed yet. So I think I may hold off at least a few days and research it one a little more before taking that particular plunge. I also miss my textual toolbar, but I suppose I can get used to that with a little time. I also don’t see a way to "not" block pop-ups, though if you change your "Google Gears" you can allow various sites.
So, until they work out a few kinks I don’t think this will become my primary browser. But I’m going to keep it and give it a fair shot for awhile.
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5 comments
Granted maybe the final release will be more compatible with plug-ins that we've used and loved. After having said all that, I'll still give Chrome a shot. "You'll never know until you've tried."
but.....
*I* cannot (just yet anyway) figure how to access my "links" (i.e. favourites) directly from Chrome as I do in SlimB (or in IE for that matter). So, in meantime, still very much 'back burner' material.
But gladly my [IE-based] SlimBrowser seems unaffected and still runs fine, so I don't need to worry about UNinstalling this durned "8" thing. :-)
Recommendation, to all: Don't even THINK of getting IE8 yet, if IE is your "main" browser!
I gather that nowadays you CAN use Yahoo Games ok on Chrome, Doris.
And further, I guess I gotta say I AM quite happy with IE8 now - again, IF you choose to use IE at all !
(See MY latest Chrome review - on my website.)
I've already seen (and commented on) your latest Chrome review so take a look at MY comments to you - a few of the features you felt were lacking are there or workable - but not all...
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