So here’s a weird one. I get a call to say that the users web browsing is ultra slow and could I have a look. Being the distrusting soul that I am, I don’t take the problem description at face value – hey, 25yrs in IT has taught me one thing and that is to keep asking questions because eventually the truth will out. I guess this is the same game the police play.

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In my initial post on the subject I said I’d give it more time and so I’ve fiddled some more with Chrome and I still don’t like it.

Here’s a little list which will probably grow – and yes I have to precede this list with the warning that the software is still only in beta – of things that bug me about Chrome. However, knowing how much firefox has taken off surely Google would have at least thought to come close to matching what it offers before releasing it.

Or was their aim purely to detract from the release of the latest beta of IE8? Anyway, that list:

• No plugins
• No profile roaming
• No full screen ability (unless I’m missing it)
• A separate search box (call me a luddite if you want)
• No status bar
• No roboform integration
• It breaks my gmail customisations
• And I’m sure there are more I’ve forgotten ….

Also I’m very much not alone in my feelings – though equally there are those whom have gone OTT about the product. I’ll not link to it because I disagree with the language used, but do a search for Googasm on The Register and you’ll see what I mean. Alternatively have a read of this article over at CNet where you’ll notice Josh’s ideas mirror some of mine (or mine his).

Furthermore it still has security issues that have been fixed by other users of the webkit platform – read all about that over at ZDNet.

Another thought … my once, almost favourite web app was greenborder, a sandbox app that allowed me to wall off the internet and all its badness was purchased by google and appears to have disappeared never to resurface. Or has it? I wonder if this is what they are using to power their separate ‘walled off’ processes for each tab? Hmmm.

One last thought and then I’ll stop my bashing and leave it alone for a month or two … one of Chrome’s much discussed good thing is its speed, especially with its own mail, apps, etc. Well I’d be very surprised if it wasn’t. However, Firefox latest build(s) has a new java rendering engine at its heart called TraceMonkey which is faster than the Chrome offering. As a default TraceMonkey is not turned on but can be – Mozilla are looking to release the new version by year end ….

So I’ve been playing with chrome – google’s new broswser project – and my initial thought is one of yuck.

I’m desperately trying to be impartial but I find it ugly, incomplete (ok, ok so it’s a beta) and too rigid. Call me a stick in the mud but I like my seperate search box, though I can see the ease of use factor for being able to search direct from the URL box.

I’m a lover of firefox and a despiser of IE. If I’m forced to use IE by a site (my bank thinks firefox is less secure than IE – way too funny) then I just use IE Tab to make firefox appear as IE and I’m in. Will chrome have these problems? I love firefox’s tabs, stability, constant updates, support, skins and plugins. I’m sure there’s more as well but I can’t think of them right now. I’m sure chrome will adapt and change and allow 3rd party plugins, etc but for now this is a show stopper for me.

Right now chrome seems dull, insipid and a poor, though much faster at rendering than IE cousin. Though it would seem to currently share IE’s security problems. Have a look at this PC World article.

Also – where’s my status bar gone. I like being able to see – though I accept it is but a poor representation of reality – what is happening to a page load, etc.

Next on my hit list is the lack of integration with Roboform. I guess a workaround will be along some day but I don’t hold my breath for it and if it isn’t, then sadly chrome won’t make it for long on my systems. Robo-Form Blogspot says it best for me.

Finally, for now, I’m not an immediate fan of my history or downloads history being opened in a new tab, but this is a minor issue and just a matter of getting used to it.

Oh, and if you’re still an IE fan, then go take a look see at the Chrome v IE site and cast your votes but please remember that this is not fact just peoples gut feelings being voted on.

I reserve my judgement, but will fiddle some more with it.

Just read over at Blogoscoped.com about google’s latest tilt at worl^H^H^Hinternet domination.

Apparently they have a browser project in the works codenamed Google Chrome – but blogoscoped tells it far better than I can, so pop on over and have a read.

UPDATE: (Sept 4th) Go grab yourself a copy from Googles front page – I won’t bother with a link as you’ll likely have a different localised one to me.