Recommended by David

Google’s new web browser, Chrome, was launched this week and already it’s my favourite. I’ve today made it my default browser for surfing the net (although I did feel more than a little guilty when ditching my tried and trusted Firefox to the role of “backup” browser). Although it’s fair to say that it is easy to see how Firefox has influenced the development of Chrome, with a number of similarities.

Like Firefox, Chrome uses “tabs”, rather than windows to display new sites: if you’re on site (a) and want to visit site (b), just click on the “+” sign to the right of site (a)’s tab at the top of the browser and a new tab will open. By default, this new tab will automatically show clickable screenshots of your last 9 most visited sites. If the new site you want isn’t  there, just enter site (b)’s address in the address bar as usual and it will open in that new tab. You can then flick between sites (a) and (b) just by clicking on their tabs.

As I’m writing this post, I can see that I have no fewer than 26 tabs for 26 different sites open. I’ve just clicked on all of them and all seem to be working as they should. Due to the unique way Google has constructed Chrome, if there is a problem with any tab, that tab should not adversely affect any other and they will continue to work as they should. So gone are the days when the browser has to close when there is a problem and has to be re-started.

Adding favourites is a cinch: at the start of the address bar is the outline of a star; just click on the star to make that site a favourite and use the drop down list to control where you want your bookmark saved. Firefox users, I’m sure, will be smiling as they read that!

Also familiar to Firefox users will be the option to have the browser remember the tabs that were open when you last used it, when you next open the browser. Chrome, however, includes a further option: the ability to stipulate multiple sites that you want opened in their own tabs each time that Chrome starts; effectively MULTIPLE home pages!

To date, this is the biggest advantage for me.

In my favourites list I probably have about 200 sites. Now most of them aren’t actual “favourites” as such; most of them have been added when I came across them, found something useful and added them as a “favourite”, rather than make a written note of the address for when I may need it again. My TRUE favourites are the ones that I visit every day, or at least every week. By telling Chrome to remember these sites, each time I open the browser, all of them will already be there running in their own tabs - no more scrolling up and down the favourites list to find each site every time I want to visit it. Just think of the time that can save you!

The new browser seems to be good on security too: including phishing and malware protection. It also includes an “incognito” option if you want to visit a site without that visit being logged in your history. I’ve seen this facility has been crudely dubbed by some as “porn mode,” but I’m sure there are also less salubrious reasons for wanting to keep your surfing habits secret.

In terms of transferring from your previous browser, Chrome automatically downloads existing favourites from your present browser. It detected Firefox as my default browser and copied my existing bookmarks across without a problem; under the “customize” option I then chose “Import bookmarks and settings…” and copied my favourites from Internet Explorer into a separate folder.

Just two things you should be aware of:

• Chrome is currently only available for Windows XP and Vista
• it has only been released as a “beta” version, so some bugs may yet be found

Having said that, and to be fair, Chrome does NOT install itself as your default browser automatically, which allows you to test it and play around with it on your own terms until you feel comfortable with it. 

Based on my experience to date, it’s well worth checking out.

Get more information from Google itself, and the download link, by clicking here. 

David

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