GOOGLE CHROME

When Google released its new (and first) browser a few days ago (Chrome), many praised that move or welcomed this new player into the arena, but many others simply were a bit surprised and wondered if a new browser was really needed when this market already features IE, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Konqueror and a plethora of smaller ones. While IE is still leader, those who aren't satisfied with it have a good choice of alternatives, especially in Firefox and Opera.

Being essentially 'underground' these last few weeks I really missed the Initial Hoopla about Google Chrome. Finally Google with its characteristic word of mouth publicity reached me today, via Dr. A or Dhondiram as he has named himself.
Now being a Anti-IE Firefoxee that I am, I was very curious and just had to try it first hand. And being the 'avid' blogger had to review it.
Got it and Installed and typing this through the Chrome window.

The download and install is quite simple, just download the Google Chrome installer (474 KB).Run it….. Wait for some moments, and you will be prompted to the next installation steps. The installation process was really straight forward. Everyone should be able to do it without problems. Anyway, Google Chrome is only available for Windows XP/Vista right now.

After you have it installed, you are able to download some history, bookmarks and settings from other browser installed. Right now, only Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer detected. If you do not want to import any bookmarks/settings, you can skip this step, and start running your newly installed Google Chrome.

Cool and Clean Looks

Where is the window title? Well, this is the first thing I notice when I fired up Google Chrome. The bluish color and the window tabs got my attention after that. And, I like how the tabs are displayed! The window icons look so Vista. There are only some icons in the toolbar, and I think they’re easy to be recognized. By having only some icons and small area in the toolbar, we can have a wider space to browse the websites.

Features

• In this initial release, there are some features offered.
• New Tab
• Application shortcuts
• Dynamic tabs
• Crash control
• Incognito mode
• Safe browsing
• Instant bookmarks
• Importing settings
• Simpler downloads

Go to Google Chrome features page for more details and screencasts. I just hope that they will release more features to make our life happier. :)

Why I won’t use it

Now, coming to the most important part of it all.

Why I’ll never use it ?? It’s because Chrome’s EULA wishes to take anything that I type into my browser window (which would include, ahem, this blog entry, any email I access through the Web and just about anything else involving the Internet) and give it to Google for them to use for any purpose.

From the EULA:

11.1 You retain copyright and any other rights you already hold in Content which you submit, post or display on or through, the Services.

Which earlier read

11.1 You retain copyright and any other rights you already hold in Content which you submit, post or display on or through, the Services. By submitting, posting or displaying the content you give Google a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to reproduce, adapt, modify, translate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute any Content which you submit, post or display on or through, the Services. This license is for the sole purpose of enabling Google to display, distribute and promote the Services and may be revoked for certain Services as defined in the Additional Terms of those Services.

I should note that “Services” is defined as “your use of Google’s products, software, services, and web sites,” but this is, to say the least, disingenuous. Anyone who uses Chrome will technically own the copyright, but who needs copyright when the Chrome user effectively gives up her right to distribute this content in all perpetuity and without royalties?

So if Mr. Pandu is using Chrome and types an email to someone, he “owns” the copyright. But Google has the right to use anything that Ms. Oates types into Chrome for any purpose. And if someone reveals highly personal information through Chrome — like, say, the details of one’s sex life, or some very embarrassing incident — Google has the right to reprint this anywhere. And not only do they get to reprint this content, but they can likewise generate revenue from it. Revenue that should, by all rights, go to the person who authored the content in the first place.

There is no Home Button

Cannot use windows to cascade, or arrange vertically the windows (By clicking taskbar and cascade windows or arrange vertically or arrange horizontally.) Its like Chrome window is not a part of windows at all.

In Conclusion

I know, I haven’t explored Google Chrome deeper, but for the first impression it looks good for internet surfing activity. For basic use, it just works. But, since there are other things that can be done from browsers, bloggers might need more than this. Using Mozilla Firefox, we can extend it by installing some add-ons. I might talk too soon about this since Google Chrome has just released few days ago. If you want to try Google Chrome, just download it right away, and feel the different browsing experience.

I just don’t think I’ll be shifting to Chrome so soon, It’s still ‘JAI FIREFOX’ for me at least.