Google's Chrome looks a worthwhile alternative

Google's new Chrome browser has made an impressive start and will be providing both Microsoft's Internet Explorer 8 and Mozilla's Firefox with some food for thought.

Chrome is not perfect, but it is in a beta, or testing stage, and Google says there are plenty more features yet to arrive.

Google argues that current browsers were designed before many of developments that characterise today's web.

That included video everywhere, scams and spyware, viruses that lurk even on legitimate sites, web-based games and web-based programmes, like Google's own Docs word processor.

With no status bar, no menu bar and only a single toolbar (for bookmarks), Chrome is a stripped down browser in the extreme.

Mackline had been trying to use it exclusively for a week, at the time of writing.

To get the bad things out of the way first, one of the major complaints would be that the bookmarks bar will not open sometimes forcing you to either remember the Internet address you are seeking, or close the browser and restart.

Also, for some reason that Mackline has yet to discover, Google's own Gmail stalls.

Unfortunately, Gmail is the web mail I use to communicate with the Otago Daily Times main office when I am out of town.

Gmail will work for a few times, no set number, then it just grinds away looking for the Google server.

Back to Firefox for Gmail, but perseverance with Chrome has been worthwhile.

Two features are a stand-out for me.

The first is the homepage that shows pictures of nine mini-web pages, representing your most frequently visited sites.

That feature is also available on Opera's Speed Dial feature.

Clicking on the mini-page loads it quickly and you are in business.

Open a new tab and the nine mini-pages are again displayed.

The second stand-out feature is the address bar.

As you start to type, a menu of suggestions appears immediately below, a list culled not just from pages you have visited before but also from your book marks, search suggestions and popular web pages you have yet to visit.

That works even the first time you try it since Chrome automatically imports your bookmarks, history and even stored passwords from your old browser.

Something I have yet to come to grips with is the "cool function" being reported from overseas.

If you have ever searched a popular site, you can just type the site's first letter in the address bar and then press Tab.

Do that and you can search within the site without even going there, saving one big step.

Another feature which has proven useful in the past week is the "Recent Bookmarks" list on the right-hand side of the home page (which features the nine mini-pages).

Even if those recent bookmarks are not sites you frequent regularly, they are still available with a click.

There are two stand-out features, but by far the most convenient feature for me is the way Chrome downloads files and photos.

Being sent an email containing an attachment can cause some crowding of your screen with the traditional downloads box popping up as the attachment arrives.

Then, there is the problem of sometimes having to find where the document was saved.

With Chrome, the attachment downloads at the bottom left of the browser.

When it is completely downloaded, a right click opens it up nearly full screen.

Open another one, and the first one moves along, something that happens for each document downloaded.

Strangely, sometimes the documents are saved automatically into either My Documents or My Pictures, other times they needed to be saved separately.

Chrome is fast and fun.

Online speculation was running hot last week about whether Chrome would catch on and what about Google's business relationships with its competitors.

One thing is sure.

Chrome is a promising, modern, streamlined very secure alternative to other browsers.

Give it a go by typing Google Chrome into Google search and follow the instructions.

dene.mackenzie@odt.co.nz