Firefox, forgive me. I’m in love with Chrome.

Early in 2005 I converted to Firefox. And got a Firefox cap.

Ever since, I've been faithful to my web browser, aside from the rare times I need to use Microsoft's Internet Explorer (such as to perform a Windows update).

When I heard about Google's Chrome, at first I vowed to avert my eyes. I'd remain true to Firefox no matter how pretty and enticing Chrome was.

That promise lasted just a few days. During which time Firefox did its usual memory-consuming thing after I'd opened many tabs, even though I'm using version 3.0.1.

Result: drastic computer slowdown. Or Firefox lockup. Can't remember the exact irritation.

Whatever it was, it drew me to download Chrome last week. I've been a happy Chrome camper ever since, pretty much.

Chrome copied in my Firefox bookmarks just fine. However, I use a password manager, RoboForm, and right now it won't work with Chrome. So I've been having to use Firefox to retrieve my passwords.

Plus, inexplicably Chrome doesn't have a master password feature. This is a major blunder. Who wants their passwords sitting out in the open, accessible to anyone who fires up Chrome on their computer?

Hopefully this feature omission will be fixed soon. Because otherwise I've been pleased with Chrome.

I've had jillions of web page tabs open on my laptop with nary a problem. Occasionally there will be a problem with a site, but Chrome does a good job of shutting down the offending tab. As the Chrome comic book points out, this is a significant benefit of the new browser: one bad web site doesn't crash the entire program.

I like the bookmarks bar. Nine of my favorite web sites are just an easy always-visible click away.

At first I thought it was strange that Chrome wouldn't allow bookmarks to be displayed in a sidebar, like Firefox does, but now I don't miss that feature.

The lack of a search engine text box also was immediately apparent. However, typing words into the URL bar brings up Google. Some want a separate search box, along with other features, but I don't see the need.

Chrome seems faster than Firefox. I haven't done any actual speed tests – this is just my impression. I had trouble printing out an Adobe Reader file at first, but the second time it printed fine.

I'm confident Google will iron out Chrome's problems. A few days ago its web browser market share had already reached over one percent. Likely it will climb steadily.

I appreciate how Firefox became an alternative to the behemoth that is Microsoft. But Chrome is a worthy evolutionary successor to Firefox.

Comments

[Omarra Byrd]

Because Google Chrome is not compatible with the RoboForm software, I don't use it. I love the RoboForm software myself. I use it all of the time and it takes all of the menial everyday tasks that I have to perform on my computer daily and shortens them extremely! What once took me fifteen minutes to complete now takes me only one second because RoboForm does the same task with just one click. In fact I wrote a Report about a lot of RoboForm’s capabilities for use that aren’t even touched on in the User’s Manual for RoboForm. You can get that Report here:

http://www.theroboformreport.com

There is also a FREE version of RoboForm that you can download on this web page, just to test the RoboForm software out for yourself! I highly recommend it!

[Bpaul]

Firefox has been bogging down and especially sucking with embedded videos (which I as a blogger use and view all the time). I may have to finally step away and look at chrome. Though google is becoming a serious big brother, which gives me pause.