Chrome is overtaking ...

[vasa1]

Chrome Breaks 20% Market Share Barrier (http://www.conceivablytech.com/7253/products/chrome-breaks-20-market-share-barrier)

And, just a while back, there were doubts about crossing 10%.

South and North America have contributed a lot to the numbers.

[Daveski17]

That's quite interesting. I think Chrome's simplicity is a lot of its appeal. Plus as a whole, its extensions are reliable & easy to install & uninstall. It can still break pages that Firefox doesn't though. Plus, some form of well developed extension similar to NoScript would be an advantage. To be honest though, most of the people I know personally are an almost 50/50 split on the matter. It seems to me that about half use Firefox & the other half swear by Chrome. The default browser on my desktop is Chrome (it would have been Iron but for Iron's slight instability problems) but Firefox 4 is now the default on my notebook.

I remember first downloading Firefox #2 & thinking it was the dog's bollocks, I was converted instantly & have never really gone back to using IE. However, Firefox #3 was a bit problematical for me & I started to look at other browsers, SeaMonkey particularly impressed me, although it goes through phases of breaking my mail & other things, I tried Opera for a while (>:( ) & the excellent but slightly dated in some respects K-Meleon but it was SRWare Iron that I found I was using the most. Unfortunately it was always having some problems. When Google stopped a lot of the tracking stuff I tried Chrome.

The great thing at the moment is that there is so much really good freeware choice, Open Source or proprietary.

[PrevxHelp]

I actually just saw an ad on TV in the US about Chrome - they are putting some effort behind establishing its brand and it does appear to be working quite well.

[vasa1]

I'm keeping both Firefox and Chrome current though I'll mostly be using Firefox. That's because I rate usability and customization highly. My security needs are taken care outside of the browser.

[Daveski17]

I am just slow or has Chrome just updated (11.0.696.65) today?

[vasa1]

-{ Quote: "I am just slow or has Chrome just updated (11.0.696.65) today?" }-

The news is usually here: http://googlechromereleases.blogspot.com/

[Trooper]

Interesting. I'm trying to like Chrome, but it has some quirks that I just don't have with Firefox. That said, I've uninstalled Chrome.

[zfactor]

same here went back to ff4..

[hpmnick]

Other than lack of certain extensions, what do people not like about chrome?

The biggest annoyance I had was a new tab didn't bring up the home page, but I simply found a "new tab" extension that fixed that.

[HAN]

-{ Quote: "Other than lack of certain extensions, what do people not like about chrome?" }-
Easy one for me. Can't stop auto updating (AFAIK). I run my browser, it doesn't run me! ;)

[HAN]

-{ Quote: "Plus, some form of well developed extension similar to NoScript would be an advantage." }-

While I won't/don't run Chrome, I have messed a bit with Iron Portable. I assume the settings in Iron v 11 are similar to Chrome 11. I just set the Script settings as shown and manage the white list manually. Very similar to NoScript IMO...

[Mrkvonic]

-{ Quote: "Other than lack of certain extensions, what do people not like about chrome?

The biggest annoyance I had was a new tab didn't bring up the home page, but I simply found a "new tab" extension that fixed that." }-

It looks and behaves like a toy.
There's something childish about it, in my opinion.
And some aspects could do with more control.
Mrk

[m00nbl00d]

-{ Quote: "Other than lack of certain extensions, what do people not like about chrome?

The biggest annoyance I had was a new tab didn't bring up the home page, but I simply found a "new tab" extension that fixed that." }-

My language version isn't and weren't properly translated, having bits of English sentences.

I actually provided a proper translation for what I could spot and they did change all the way up, from Chromium to Chrome.

There are some parts still in English.

This makes it look unprofessional and awkward. That said, I use Chromium. :)

[Robin A.]

-{ Quote: "It looks and behaves like a toy.
There's something childish about it, in my opinion.
Mrk" }-

That was also my reaction when I began to use it as my default browser, back in October 2010. But I am still using it, several hours a day, and have no plans to change.

[moontan]

-{ Quote: "Easy one for me. Can't stop auto updating (AFAIK). I run my browser, it doesn't run me! ;)" }-

i know it's a nuisance but that can be disabled.

or even better for me is just to use a portable version.
or Chromium. :)

[J_L]

-{ Quote: "Other than lack of certain extensions, what do people not like about chrome?

The biggest annoyance I had was a new tab didn't bring up the home page, but I simply found a "new tab" extension that fixed that." }-
Easily the level of customization. Can you easily change Chrome's interface? Can you tweak it to the level of about:config? The Firefox extensions tend to be better and more fully-featured as well.

As for the market share, I'm a bit surprised. Chrome does deserve it though.

[Daveski17]

-{ Quote: "While I won't/don't run Chrome, I have messed a bit with Iron Portable. I assume the settings in Iron v 11 are similar to Chrome 11. I just set the Script settings as shown and manage the white list manually. Very similar to NoScript IMO..." }-

I often do this with Iron/Chrome, but sometimes it gets a bit annoying. Plus the extensions won't work with the JS off. There is NotScripts, but as an extension, it tends to work far better in Opera.

[Daveski17]

-{ Quote: "The news is usually here: http://googlechromereleases.blogspot.com/" }-

Thanks :thumb:

[Osaban]

-{ Quote: "Chrome Breaks 20% Market Share Barrier (http://www.conceivablytech.com/7253/products/chrome-breaks-20-market-share-barrier)

And, just a while back, there were doubts about crossing 10%.

South and North America have contributed a lot to the numbers." }-

In the last 5 years I've tried many browsers for long periods, Opera first and then Firefox. I've had Chrome since Google first launched it. They are all excellent (I'm not a geek therefore I can't tell much technically about them) but Chrome always felt right on all my notebooks, speed and security being the most notable features I appreciate about it.

Breaking the 20% market share, for such a young browser is certainly remarkable, the question is now will it manage one day to challenge MS IE?

[Martijn2]

Google advertises Chrome very aggressively. There are ads on a lot of popular websites and it comes with some popular software.

[Boyfriend]

I have made switch to Google Chrome since version 6 from Firefox (was user since version 2). Google Chrome speed, security, simplicity, and huge gallery of extensions/themes are impressive features for me. I think it deserves good market share :)

[vasa1]

-{ Quote: "Google advertises Chrome very aggressively. There are ads on a lot of popular websites and it comes with some popular software." }-

I remember some ads featuring The Rolling Stones and Jerry Seinfeld.

[Mr.PC]

-{ Quote: "Can you easily change Chrome's interface?
Can you tweak it to the level of about:config?
The Firefox extensions tend to be better and more fully-featured as well." }-
+1. :thumb:

[Daveski17]

-{ Quote: " ... the question is now will it manage one day to challenge MS IE?" }-

Not unless it is bundled with Windows. Of course, when the Google OS is released Chrome will almost certainly be its default browser. Well, I think Google had plans to release a freeware operating system, I haven't heard much about it for a while.

[vasa1]

-{ Quote: "... I haven't heard much about it for a while." }-

This site (http://www.thechromesource.com/) is quite decent about covering all things Google, including the OS.
-{ Quote: "It’s expected that Google will announce some sort of launch for Chrome OS during its Google I/O developer conference May 10-11. Samsung’s PC division also plans on holding a press conference in San Francisco May 11, likely to unveil its initial Chrome OS hardware." }-

[Daveski17]

@vasa1 OK, thanks. :thumb:

[vasa1]

-{ Quote: "... Well, I think Google had plans to release a freeware operating system, I haven't heard much about it for a while." }-

Looks like the release may be limited to the US initially, just like the CR-48?
-{ Quote: "A Google executive has leaked that Google will announce a student package that will allow users to get their hands on a Chrome OS notebook for a very reasonable $20 subscription per month. This will be announced during the Day 2 keynote ...
No details are available, ... but it sounds like Google might be able to get a ton of Chromebooks into people’s hands very quickly with this method." }-

from here: http://www.thechromesource.com/

[allizomeniz]

I do like that there's a variety for people to choose from, but I doubt I'll ever use Chrome. Not a big Google fan. :)

[Scoobs72]

The main issue for me in using Chrome was the installation of the application in user space (C:\users....), which breaks all the rules about where apps should be installed (i.e. they should be installed in Program Files). Anyhow, since this subsequently meant that extra rules were needed for my Software Restriction Policy it became unwieldy to manage and lowered the security of the overall computer, when set up as LUA+SRP.

Since then I've discovered that if you install Chrome from Google Packs then it installs its applications correctly (in Program Files) and uses User Data for the correct purpose. It now works under a standard SRP without additional rules.

Several extensions later it's now working in a similar way to Opera. I like it. Most likely a keeper. I can see why it's gaining market share so fast.

[vasa1]

-{ Quote: "The main issue for me in using Chrome was the installation of the application in user space ...." }-

You could also consider using the portableapps.com version which can be installed anywhere and has other advantages as well.

[Scoobs72]

-{ Quote: "You could also consider using the portableapps.com version which can be installed anywhere and has other advantages as well." }-

I tried portable apps but chrome still wanted to launch application components from user space. I rolled back quickly without much further investigation.

[Daveski17]

-{ Quote: "Looks like the release may be limited to the US initially, just like the CR-48?


from here: http://www.thechromesource.com/" }-

OK, thanks for the info :thumb: . I suppose it makes sense to check how it does in the home market first, although the US is a big market anyway. I'm pretty sure it will do well in Europe.

[moontan]

-{ Quote: "
...Since then I've discovered that if you install Chrome from Google Packs then it installs its applications correctly (in Program Files) and uses User Data for the correct purpose. It now works under a standard SRP without additional rules.
" }-

tnx for the tip Scoobs! :thumb:

[Carver]

http://marketshare.hitslink.com/browser-market-share.aspx?spider=1&qprid=1

[Triple Helix]

-{ Quote: "http://marketshare.hitslink.com/browser-market-share.aspx?spider=1&qprid=1" }-

That sounds more realistic! I still find that most users still use IE! :o

TH

[Mr.PC]

http://gs.statcounter.com/#browser-ww-monthly-201105-201106-bar