We got the chrome.

I won’t be using Google Chrome (for Mac or PC), because there’s no easy way to replicate the functionality of Firefox’s add-ons. I do most of my work in a browser, and use all these extensions at least once a day:

For the average user, I imagine Chrome’s stripped-down aesthetic could be quite appealing. You know, like Safari’s, except Google won’t win over too many of Apple’s interface-obsessed acolytes with its blue-and-white theme. “It’s fast” won’t be enough to tip the scale, either–slow servers and ISPs make infinitely more of a difference. I never don’t usually complain about another open-source app, especially one that seems to be pretty good, but Chrome won’t be a worldbeater–although it’s not another “spork of the Internet,” it doesn’t have an obvious target market.

Update: while looking at traffic stats, I noticed that I forgot about the senile 800-lb. gorilla that is Internet Explorer. Which is as it should be–and if you’re still using IE, you should do something about that now.




More potentially-related posts:

  1. Eff the RIAA, pt. 2.
  2. The Nexus One nexus.
  3. Entirely in favor of net neutrality.
Posted: December 8th, 2009
Categories: nerdiness, technology
Tags: , , ,
Comments: 3 Comments.
Comments
Comment from Scott - December 9, 2009 at 3:33 pm

I actually just switched from Opera to Chrome. The first thing i did was change the god damned theme. Mostly i got it to run Wave (which isn’t supported by Opera), and i was starting to notice speed issues (Opera’s kind of a, i dunno, 600-lb gorilla). I opted for Chrome instead of Firefox b/c i don’t really need all the fancy things that you do. So far it’s working out well, but i agree–not a worldbeater by anyones’ standards.

Comment from martin - December 10, 2009 at 6:55 pm

what do you think about wave? seems very redundant to me.

Comment from Scott - December 11, 2009 at 10:05 am

Seems useful, and makes a lot of sense, but it’s success is entirely contingent on the whole wave concept catching on. Because, you’re right–nothing’s really new, except for everything being together in one package.