Not happy with creating a myriad of applications that keep Microsoft Executives up late at night worrying about market share, Google has done it again. In creating an open source browser, from Apple code, Google has not only created a wonderful new tool for web surfers to use, it has shown the way browsers should work. And better yet, it allows users to genuinely architect their browser experience.
Fast, Faster, Fastest
Having used this browser for more than a month, I can tell you that it is 2 to 3 times faster, on average, than other browser in downloading web pages - there is very little, “click and wait” for the next page to appear.
Easy to Use
When you install this application it imports all your settings and favorites. You can then start browsing without delay. Some of your top links are displayed on a line on the browser header, all the rest are under the icon button titled “Other bookmarks”. You can drag and drop Bookmarks from this menu to the browser header.
Useful Features
This browser has many useful and innovative features that are both obvious and hidden in the sub-menus (Page and Tool icon in the top right corner of browser window).
- · Security
- · Downloads
- · IDs and Passwords
Learning Curve
Like any new application, Google Chrome is somewhat different than IE 7, Firefox and others. These differences can be easily learned and exploited.
No Print Preview Screen
If you like to preview a web page for printing before you print it, Chrome will not do this for you. If this is a deal breaker for you, stay with IE 7 until Google adds that function.
Website Incompatibility
Some web sites will not recognize this browser and recommend you upgrade to IE 7 or Firefox – I can’t talk to the reasons for stating this, other than perhaps these web sites are only set up to work properly with those browsers. At least 98% of the time, Chrome works with everything.
Some Multimedia Plug-ins Do Not Work
Occasionally, 2% of the time you will see this happen. When it does, you will see a frowny face and a statement that you might go somewhere to download a new plug-in. If this happens to you, copy the web address and paste it into IE 7 or your other favorite browser and see if it works. It probably will.
No Export of Your New Faves
If you use Chrome for a while and accumulate new favorite links, you cannot automatically export those from Chrome, like you can in IE 7. You would have to copy and paste each link into IE 7 and save it.
The Bottom Line
Google Chrome is a real winner of a browser and worth investigating. Keep your IE 7 or other browser for now. Chrome still has a way to go before you can use it exclusively.
Download Chrome for Windows on the Web at chrome.google.com.