Why do people use Google Chrome?

[Klocknov]

Okay I am a bit at a lost to what you are talking about with Firefox not having tabbed browsing minus as an add-on. Even back when it was Mozilla Firebird it had tabbed browsing though the engine wasn't that great till 2.X but it had it. Past that I know from 2.X onwards it had bookmark keywords for that is when I first started using them. So this is nothing against the Avant browser, but it sure doesn't sound like you actively used Firefox or much used it at all with how you are talking here. Not to mention the tabbed browsing as far as I remember was never a plug-in and still isn't so that also is a bit questionable.

I have used Google Chrome and also don't prefer it, I will say it is a very good light-weight browser and has good load time as well. Though I couldn't get use to the GUI, and that was my major draw away from it. I guess it depends on personal preference when it comes to browsers some people stick with IE since they don't care others use choice of X browser for that is what they prefer.

[Stsin]

Before Mozilla, Opera already had tabs and was the fastest browser at that time.

But Chrome's tabs beat all.  Can easily move them around in any order you want or even off to make a new window.  And right clicking any tab allows to reopen a closed tab.  This has saved me so much time from accidentally closing the wrong tab.

When opening a blank tab, it shows thumbnails of recent sites visited which you can quickly go back to.

With a click can easily configure it so never shows or always shows a certain site.  Plus has the history of last closed tabs.

Does any one know if this feature is available on Chrome?  

Even better.

URL and Search are now entered in same box.

For example, typing in YouTube
It automatically fills in the url to my personal YouTube site.

But shows a list of other options like the past links viewed on YouTube.

So typing:  YouTube Angel Beats OP
Will be able to use YouTube's own search engine to find all the Angel Beats openings.


Also able to quickly select the past history of whatever you type in, like a link to a thread in this forum about Angel Beats.


I believe Chrome is the most streamlined browser I've ever used.  No extra garbage like other browsers, yet more functionality than any of them.

[newy]

Except the "blank tab" and the function shown in your last screenshot FireFox has the other functions implemented as well.

[Stsin]

Except the "blank tab" and the function shown in your last screenshot FireFox has the other functions implemented as well.

Is Firefox able to open closed tabs as easily too?

btw, While Chrome automatically adds specific search engines as you browse, can easily configure keywords for specific search engines.
http://www.google.com/support/chrome/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=95653

[newy]

Right click on any tab or the tab bar and choose the option "Reopen closed tab" (my translation since I use a German version). Or do you mean that Chrome has the additional function to choose between the closed tabs and not just opening the last closed tab?

[Stsin]

Hmm, not in my latest version of Firefox.  It reloads tabs, but does not re-open a closed one.

You can choose which closed tab with Chrome, like shown on the new tab picture.

[JoonasTo]

History>closed tabs

[newy]

Which version do you have? Do you have the option "Always show tab bar" (again my translation ;P) enabled?

You can choose which closed tab with Chrome, like shown on the new tab picture.

If I don't misunderstand you, you mean

(click to show/hide)

But isn't that window only available if you have a blank tab?

[Stsin]

History>closed tabs

Yes, can use that.  But still not as quick and easy as Chrome's.  With Chrome, you do away with all the excessive menus of most browsers in everyday use.  Just a right click here and it's back.  Will realize how much more intuitive everything is.

Another thing that makes Chrome's ability to open closed tabs better is that it still remembers them after closing the browser, unlike Firefox.  Say, I can come back from work and decided to continue reading that long thread where I left off or watch that youtube video I last found....without having it to save all tabs everytime I close.


@newy

Yes, it shows the history of closed tabs when opening a new tab.  But as you browse normally, you often realize that you close the wrong tab right away, which just a right click on a tab brings the most recent back.  If need to search for tab closed awhile ago, the new tab works.  The new tab works for many other things, than just being a new tab

--

Oh, and another tab feature I like is the duplicate function.  Something that was in Opera, but not in Firefox.  It duplicates the selected tab, including it's history.

Let's say I'm responding to a thread...but also want to quote something a page earlier.  With Firefox, I'd open a new tab, and then have to search my way back to that quote I wanted.

With Chrome or Opera, I'd just duplicate the tab I'm responding with. then back a page in the new duplicated tab.  Done in a second.

There's other uses for it, and will realize how handy and time saving this feature is.

I know you can open a new page by the title link of the post with this site, but can't do that on all forums.

[mrdkreka]

Hmm, not in my latest version of Firefox.  It reloads tabs, but does not re-open a closed one.

You can choose which closed tab with Chrome, like shown on the new tab picture.

If you have "Tab mix plus" for firefox reopen closed tab is pretty easy, and I don't even have to open a new tab

chrome is for some reason slower when surfing on the net for me, I don't know why, maybe because it doesn't have adblock.



 

[Dazedi-]

Sometimes when you browse internet long enough(like I have it always open) and have only 1 tab open task manager says there are like 6+ chrome processes, which slows the shit down quite a lot. 

[Stsin]

Hmm, not in my latest version of Firefox.  It reloads tabs, but does not re-open a closed one.

You can choose which closed tab with Chrome, like shown on the new tab picture.

If you have "Tab mix plus" for firefox reopen closed tab is pretty easy, and I don't even have to open a new tab

Already said earlier, don't have to open a new tab   Just right click on any tab opens the most recent closed one.  But to select among a history of closed tabs, opening a new page works, as well for many things.

chrome is for some reason slower when surfing on the net for me, I don't know why, maybe because it doesn't have adblock.  

AdBlock for Chrome:
https://chrome.google.com/extensions/detail/gighmmpiobklfepjocnamgkkbiglidom
There are other extensions that block adds too.

And if you want the AdBlock button like on Firefox with it's added functionality, Browser Button for AdBlock:
https://chrome.google.com/extensions/detail/picdndbpdnapajibahnnogkjofaeooof


As for the speed of Chrome.  The differences are very noticeable on my system.  I wouldn't love it so much otherwise.
Also a web benchmark for browser comparisons:
http://forums.bakabt.me/index.php?topic=22973.0

Sometimes when you browse internet long enough(like I have it always open) and have only 1 tab open task manager says there are like 6+ chrome processes, which slows the shit down quite a lot. 

I believe the majority of us leave browsers open all day or longer.  I haven't had it slow down my system as much as the leaking Firefox.  For example, my system hasn't been rebooted for days.  Both browsers open.  And while Chrome has multiple processes showing, one Firefox is using more memory and resources than all of them combined.

[mrdkreka]

Hmm, not in my latest version of Firefox.  It reloads tabs, but does not re-open a closed one.

You can choose which closed tab with Chrome, like shown on the new tab picture.

If you have "Tab mix plus" for firefox reopen closed tab is pretty easy, and I don't even have to open a new tab

Already said earlier, don't have to open a new tab   Just right click on any tab opens the most recent closed one.  But to select among a history of closed tabs, opening a new page works, as well for many things.

chrome is for some reason slower when surfing on the net for me, I don't know why, maybe because it doesn't have adblock.   

AdBlock for Chrome:
https://chrome.google.com/extensions/detail/gighmmpiobklfepjocnamgkkbiglidom
There are other extensions that block adds too.

And if you want the AdBlock button like on Firefox with it's added functionality, Browser Button for AdBlock:
https://chrome.google.com/extensions/detail/picdndbpdnapajibahnnogkjofaeooof


As for the speed of Chrome.  The differences are very noticeable on my system.  I wouldn't love it so much otherwise.
Also a web benchmark for browser comparisons:
http://forums.bakabt.me/index.php?topic=22973.0

All ready tried using them with chrome, but it didn't help on the speed, just removed the ads.

bencmark is pretty pointless if it doesn't give the same result when I'm using it normal.

I tried testing it myself on difference sites, where I have both firefox and chrome open. First I click on the link in chrome and then in firefox, and for some reason chrome is still slower than firefox to load the page.
So I will keep using firefox as my main browser

[Perplexing]

Okay I am a bit at a lost to what you are talking about with Firefox not having tabbed browsing minus as an add-on. Even back when it was Mozilla Firebird it had tabbed browsing though the engine wasn't that great till 2.X but it had it. Past that I know from 2.X onwards it had bookmark keywords for that is when I first started using them. So this is nothing against the Avant browser, but it sure doesn't sound like you actively used Firefox or much used it at all with how you are talking here. Not to mention the tabbed browsing as far as I remember was never a plug-in and still isn't so that also is a bit questionable.

I have used Google Chrome and also don't prefer it, I will say it is a very good light-weight browser and has good load time as well. Though I couldn't get use to the GUI, and that was my major draw away from it. I guess it depends on personal preference when it comes to browsers some people stick with IE since they don't care others use choice of X browser for that is what they prefer.

I never said Firefox did not have tabbed browsing. Avant Browser was the first browser I used that had that feature (meaning I tried it out prior to firefox)

The add-on URL Alias does a feature that avant has had for years which I use on both browsers. My comment on the bookmark keywords was that I was unaware of such a feature.

Sorry if my post was a bit confusing 

Other than that I am an user of firefox as well as avant I am merely stating that I prefer avant (mainly do to years of use over firefox)
I've tried and dislike Chrome and for that matter anything that is google related with the exception of google maps and google earth.
Also avant offers a browser that is based of of firefox engine called orca which i have tried and did not like as much as firefox.

Bottom line is for me I am sure those who use Chrome must like it but as I have been reading this post has been more about how we all dislike it 

-----------------------

Before Mozilla, Opera already had tabs and was the fastest browser at that time.

But Chrome's tabs beat all.  Can easily move them around in any order you want or even off to make a new window.  And right clicking any tab allows to reopen a closed tab.  This has saved me so much time from accidentally closing the wrong tab.

When opening a blank tab, it shows thumbnails of recent sites visited which you can quickly go back to.
With a click can easily configure it so never shows or always shows a certain site.  Plus has the history of last closed tabs.

Now I must admit that I did not know of these features ( of course maybe it was not availble during it's intial relase.... don't know)
However I must say that I would try chrome out again for this feature due to the fact that at any given time I have about 7 tabs going and I tend to close the wrong one often 

The tab rearrangement would be rather helpful at times too

  I just found this on maximumpc and I though it would be worth posting as this talks about the main reason why I don't like google (privacy)

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/web_exclusive/firefox_addon_week_googlesharing

EDIT - newy: NO doubleposts

[newy]

Stsin, I found a function you mentioned that has Chrome but not FF. Well, rather coincidentally. The tab duplication. Though FF users have to hold the Ctrl-button and then "move" the tab they want to duplicate to another position on the tab bar.

[Jarudin]

I can't really comment on the Chromium vs. Chrome, as I guess that's just a matter of taste. I don't like to mess around with beta stuff too much for software that I just want to -work-.

I'm a heavy Chrome user, I use it at home 99% of the time and at work for almost anything beside JavaScript debugging (and compatibility testing of course).
The main reason I use Chrome over any other browser is just the speed and really bare metal UI (especially with the minimalistic skin). I've found that Firefox was getting sluggish and they just keep adding more crap like sharable bookmarks and whatnots.

Chrome has it's annoyances but for the most part it's just faster (not just for loading webpages).

ok this is what i see with these browsers

IE 6,7,8 = for the people who dont know how do download firefox

Chrome= people who prefer google based services

safari = people who think using this browser will allow them to see moar animals

Misc = people who find unknown/unpopular browsers and find problems with no help

Fire Fox= Built for the User, not the other way around. Very Little Crash rate compaired to IE, decent preformance stats, and most of all. Customiseable! (not spelt right and i dont want to check)

I don't really agree with this.
Many people who use IE have been spoon-fed IE and don't really need much of their browser. Mostly though it's company policy and they wont install other browsers or even upgrade IE.

I'm not sure what drives people to use Safari or Opera, it never really seemed like an option to me. Maybe they're all just Mac users? I know Opera is always trying to be one step ahead, so if you like that kind of thing. Firefox copied a lot from Opera, they're basically just copying all features, like tabbed browsing and now the plugin sandbox (which came from Chrome).

I'm just really happy with the UI decisions in Chrome, yes it take a little getting used to. Like going to XKCD requires you to type x (or xk) then press enter, not press [down] first like you would in Firefox. But as it's one stroke less it's actually not that bad of an idea. And I really like the no-popup attitude - ever. You never get popups in Chrome (ads disregarding - they open in tabs anyway).
I am slightly worried about Google's privacy department but I'm sure they "wont be (too) evil".

Oh, and another tab feature I like is the duplicate function.  Something that was in Opera, but not in Firefox.  It duplicates the selected tab, including it's history.

Let's say I'm responding to a thread...but also want to quote something a page earlier.  With Firefox, I'd open a new tab, and then have to search my way back to that quote I wanted.

With Chrome or Opera, I'd just duplicate the tab I'm responding with. then back a page in the new duplicated tab.  Done in a second.

There's other uses for it, and will realize how handy and time saving this feature is.

I know you can open a new page by the title link of the post with this site, but can't do that on all forums.

When I 'click' links I always click with my scroller (or middle mouse button), this basically does a ctrl+click and opens in a new tab in the background. I just click all topics I want to read, then read them one by one. Sounds like this is what you should be doing instead
I've seen that many people haven't adopted the ctrl+click yet but it really makes tabbed browsing so much more useful.

--Jarudin--

[newy]

When I 'click' links I always click with my scroller (or middle mouse button), this basically does a ctrl+click and opens in a new tab in the background.

I love my mouse for that very function when browsing (except that it's on one of my thumb buttons^^)

And now that you're mentioning it, I think I never tried Chrome because of Google's privacy policy.

[Perplexing]

When I 'click' links I always click with my scroller (or middle mouse button), this basically does a ctrl+click and opens in a new tab in the background. I just click all topics I want to read, then read them one by one. Sounds like this is what you should be doing instead
I've seen that many people haven't adopted the ctrl+click yet but it really makes tabbed browsing so much more useful.

--Jarudin--

I use this function quite often myself. I use it on both avant and firefox it's a very convient feature to have just like certain windows hotkeys. 
To me it's a real time saver.

[iindigo]

For most browsing, I use OmniWeb. It's kinda what Firefox would be like if it used WebKit and didn't support addons but had the most popular ones built in (Stylish and AdBlock for example). It has a nice feature called per-site preferences that lets you tweak any of the prefs for specific sites (for example: fake user agent at this site, download file to X folder when visiting this one, request the Japanese version of this page, and disable ads when at this page).  I also prefer its tab management:



It works nicely at handling large amounts of tabs. In my opinion, it works much better than the traditional horizontal tab bar.

Despite all this stuff, it runs at about the same speed of Safari. It's not bogged down at all. it's also completely Maclike, which Firefox will never get quite right thanks to the XUL beast.


As for Chrome, well... It's too void of features for my everyday use. The tabs-on-top thing and oversized URL bar and buttons also get on my nerves a little. However, its ability to use AdBlock combined with a "Private Browsing" mode that's considerably smoother than Firefox's makes it an excellent naughty browser >_>

I have my Chrome modded a bit, though. I removed the unnecessarily large titlebar "forehead" and made the widgets more Maclike than Googlelike:

[Stsin]

When I 'click' links I always click with my scroller (or middle mouse button), this basically does a ctrl+click and opens in a new tab in the background. I just click all topics I want to read, then read them one by one. Sounds like this is what you should be doing instead
I've seen that many people haven't adopted the ctrl+click yet but it really makes tabbed browsing so much more useful.

--Jarudin--

I meant to say if already started writing a response, but wanted to back up a page without losing it, can duplicate the tab and back up from the duplicate.  But you are right in that I should get in the habit of Ctrl+Click links more often to avoid that situation.

As for Chrome's privacy, can't really complain about it if you use the Google search engine.  Same privacy issues.  Though that GoogleSharing plugin sounds interesting.  If it is a concern, can use Chromium instead.  But like already said, be wary of the latest versions.

I agree that Chrome's incognito mode does work better than Firefox's private browsing.  I already mentioned how I tested both on a site that prevent's making multiple accounts.  Can make unlimited amounts with incognito mode, while Firefox' private browsing mode does leave info behind that this site check's on therefore preventing it.