Google Browser

[GP200]

Hi,

New here, been lurking a while, hope this is in the right place.

Just been reading about Google's new (in dev) browser, haven't seen anything posted here about it so thought it may be of interest.

Google Chrome, Google's Browser Project and below link is scans of a comic book Google sent out outlining the browser.

Google on Google Chrome - comic book

Blog nothing to do with me whatsoever.

On edit: release tomorrow: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/...n-browser.html

[lspence]

Yep, tomorrow is the day. I used to get really excited about new browsers, now I cringe a little, wondering what rendering quirks are in store.

[kgun]

I wrote a related short article:

"The global information space"

today.

[Peter (IMC)]

Many years ago I predicted that Google would build it's own operating system. I guess this is a good first step.

A new prediction: By the end of this year, Chrome is the most used browser in the world!

Bill Gates can't be too happy right now. Though since Chrome is opensource, he can use all the technology from it in I.E. His problem: Microsoft isn't that fast.

[drowranger]

Hmm Google certainly gobbling up every sphere of internet / information n technology . I predict this will be a huge success based on their track record .

[kgun]

Security should be the main concern. Google should have all the resources to make a secure browser. Since it is open source, the other browser companies will study their security model in detail.

[Peter (IMC)]

Security is a concern, but for the success of the browser the user interface should be the main concern.

No need to waste your time on security if nobody likes the browser.

[lspence]

Originally Posted by Peter (IMC)

Security is a concern, but for the success of the browser the user interface should be the main concern.

No need to waste your time on security if nobody likes the browser.

I don't know, a snazzy interface is nice, but for me, security is extremely important.

[Peter (IMC)]

Of course security is important and should be done right, but it's not a real selling point. People expect security issues not to be a problem. It's not why they choose, but if not done right, it is why they leave.,.. in any way, without the "snazzy" interface, nobody will be interested. No need to build a more secure mouse trap. It's the user interface and all the cool features that make it successful.

[Peter (IMC)]

ok.. testing the Chrome browser now. It really is a lot faster than internet explorer,. a little bit faster than firefox,.. and I'm loving the user interface already.

So far a very good first impression.

[wige]

Ditto. I love minimal interfaces for browsers (at least until I need all my addons) and for that I really like the interface of Chrome. The speed is nice too. Some of the things I read about the approach to security is pretty interesting, and the home page concept is pretty nice as well.

As far as rendering, I think the browser will be very similar to IE8, since they are both built on the same engine. The differences will likely come in how client side scripting is handled.

[Peter (IMC)]

I guess IE8 wll be very similar to Chrome,..

Another battle that microsoft lost. Though actually they´re doing what they´re always doing. Copying!

[GP200]

Agree, first impressions are good, as Wige says, its client side scripting that should show a difference if the PR is correct, which will be great if it works out for web based applications. It's based on Web Kit, again as Wige noted, The WebKit Open Source Project (as is their mobile browser and the Safari browser).

I like the Opera style homepage too. I think your right on the money Peter about Microsoft here, and Google seeing this as their first step into an operating system albeit an online one.

[kgun]

Originally Posted by Peter (IMC)

ok.. testing the Chrome browser now. It really is a lot faster than internet explorer,. a little bit faster than firefox,.. and I'm loving the user interface already.

So far a very good first impression.

We may have very different standards. I can not see that it is much more advanced than one I made myself 10 years ago with Borland C++ Builder. If that minimalistic browser was not fast, I would definitely question the programmers that made it.

Source: Sams Teach yourself Borland C++ Builder 3 in 14 Days Chapter 13 page 492 "Building a Web Browser". Sams Publishing 1998.

Not everything coming from Google is gold, yet.

Originally Posted by wige

Ditto. I love minimal interfaces for browsers (at least until I need all my addons) and for that I really like the interface of Chrome. The speed is nice too. Some of the things I read about the approach to security is pretty interesting, and the home page concept is pretty nice as well.

Why not buy that book and build one yourself in C++ Builder? Fairly easy to build a minimalistic fast browser. Security is the real problem.

Originally Posted by Peter (IMC)

I guess IE8 wll be very similar to Chrome,..

Another battle that microsoft lost. Though actually they´re doing what they´re always doing. Copying!

I don't think so. Aside from a few products, Microsoft have given the world exellent software like Windows XP, Windows Media Player, MSN Messenger, Office, SQL Server etc.

A fast question:
My Norwegian version shuts down when I close all folders. Is that a natural way to close a browser?

I would definitely not buy online with that browser today.

[Peter (IMC)]

Being critical is good,.. Being cautious is also good. As long as one is not critical because of who made it, then no problem.

Comparing to 10 year old technology seems kind of,.. well, you know,.. like you´re old.

[kgun]

C++ Old technology? It is todays "portable assembler".

You can even use inline assembler statements in that platform:

ASM { Your assembler statements here ..... }

You can even use C to reduce overhead, but ususally programming hours are more expensive than CPU hours.

Combining that with conditional compilation, you can make complex fast applications.

You don't know what you are talking about young man.

Take a look: C++ Builder 2009

This is promising from the features js file: http://tools.google.com/chrome/intl/...js/features.js

function getElementsByClass(searchClass, node, tag) {
 
   var classElements = new Array();
   if (node == null)
           node = document;
   if (tag == null)
           tag = '*';
   var els = node.getElementsByTagName(tag);
   var elsLen = els.length;
   var pattern = new RegExp('(^|\\s)' + searchClass + '(\\s|$)');
   for (i = 0, j = 0; i < elsLen; i++) {
           if (pattern.test(els[i].className)) {
                   classElements[j] = els[i];
                   j++;
           }
   }
   return classElements;
}
 
var current_feature = ''
 
// Toggles feature preview 
function showfeature(feature) {
   current_feature = feature
   featurethumb = document.getElementById(feature);
   featurepreview = document.getElementById(feature + '-preview');

That is good use of a regular expression class and it follows the W3C DOM standard.

[kgun]

The moderators should be better to move / delete threads. Same topic in this

Google Web Browser

thread.

[dburdon]

I'm using chrome to write this piece. I've managed to make a couple of limited customisations. However, I'll be heading back to Firefox.

Contrary to other comments I suggest it will take some time before Google makes real headway. My own client base stats suggest 80-85% usage of IE and 8-12% usage of Firefox. Clearly browser users are heavily influenced by the inertia of the OEM installed system.

[kgun]

David my personal advice:

1. Recommend Opera for the surfer.
2. Use Opera when you surf the web and buy online.
3. Use FF + FireBug + Other reliable toolbars as a webmaster.

[Peter (IMC)]

Originally Posted by kgun

C++ Old technology? It is todays "portable assembler".

No, but if it was written 10 years ago,....

Interface is the key to success. That Chrome is much faster than IE is also something important. People notice this.

Important is that Google gets the bugs out fast. Speed is of the utmost importance.

[kgun]

These facts may interest you:

"I loaded the website in my signature on the 4 browsers ( I don't use the last version of FF since I have heard that it is not compatible with FireBug).

Chrome 0.2.149.27 Total memory (27,522 Kb) ... Virtual Memory ... Private (18,196 Kb) ... Mapped (7.148 Kb)
IE 6.00.2900.5512.Total memory (5,176 Kb) ..... Virtual Memory ... Private (11,516 Kb) ... Mapped (18 472 Kb)
FireFox 2.0.0.16... Total memory (46,796 Kb) ... Virtual Memory ... Private (38,852 Kb) .... Mapped (3.420 Kb)
Opera 9.51......... Total memory (4,732 Kb) .... Virtual Memory ... Private (25,532 Kb) .... Mapped (3884 Kb)

You have to refresh the Task Manager some times until the memory usage "stabilizes". I have only FireBug installed on the FF browser and that is disabled".

Source: http://www.davidcastle.org/BB/google...c4dd3ca3cae539

You may find some other Google brand related posts in that thread of interest.

Originally Posted by Peter (IMC)

No, but if it was written 10 years ago,....

My point. If you have a little programming experience, it is fairly easy to make a minimalistic browser that runs fast. How secure that browser is, is quite another question.

[kgun]

Important security related Google Chrome Security Vulnerabilities thread.