It's been a while since Google Chrome was launched and the web filled with reviews, tweaks & random comments made by every other person. So I decided to dig out stuff I read & found very useful.
For those who are still asleep, happily using Firefox, (or Internet Explorer??!!) Google launched their own browser a few days back, named Google Chrome. And like any other Google Product, it did stir the online community. Some went "Awww" over the looks, some were impressed by the new "A Process for each tab" feature. Some were dissapointed by the initial lack of add-ons (Or extensions). But alot has been going on since the release!
So, like everyone else in my campus, I also installed Google Chrome. First look at Chrome, and I went "AAaahh! Coool!". The minimalistic design (Few buttons on the top, a statusbar that appears only when needed, sweet downloads bar..) is just what you were expecting from Google (And the theme too!). Minutes later, I was watching the Tabs smoothly float around (and fade into a new window and then slip/dock back into the main window). During all this random time-pass, I opened my GMail account (Yes, Gmail works better on Chrome!) & my blog, and both opened fine. Unlike IE, my blog looked just the way I wanted it to, and I was happy :D
Next I noticed the list of processes, which now had a couple of chrome.exe (One for each tab + one for the browser + other(s) for plugin(s)). "Dumb.. they are all same name", I thought. And then came the reply, "Duh.. That's why there's a Task Manager inside Chrome." And trust me, it's a really useful feature! (Oh the shortcut key is - Shift + Esc, similar to that of Windows Task Manager - Ctrl + Shift + Esc.. Smart!). Then there's the Incognito mode, for getting the privacy you need, and the Application Shortcuts which allow you to use websites like other "Applications" from your desktop (you'll need Google Gears for this though!) and much more. All in all, a pretty good deal!
Soon after Chrome was launched, people from all over the world came up with reviews, suggestions, tweaks & applications to improve the browser experience.
Here are some of My favorite ones: (Check out the links to know more!)
- Check out the "Inspect Element" Feature (Right click on Page, select Inspect Element). For ex, you could check out the different properties of each of my Blog's div elements! Really helpful for developers!
- Notice that the New Tab shows thumbnails of most visited, recently visited and recently bookmarked sites, along with last closed tabs & search engines you prefer. Try browsing a bit to make the best use out of this feature!
- Place websites in the Bookmarks Bar, which shows up only when you need it ;)
- There are some Keyboard (and Mouse) Shortcuts too! There are some you already might be familiar with, like Ctrl+T for new tab, Ctrl+Tab (and Ctrl+Shift+Tab) for cycling through Tabs etc. And then there's Shift+Esc for Task Manager, Ctrl+Shift+N for Incognito Mode etc. Want more? Check out this post on Lifehacker! And read this to add more custom keyboard shortcuts! And this to switch tab using mouse wheel!
- Carry the new browser in your pen drive! Here's an (unofficial) Portable version (English) of Chrome!
- Keep Separate Profiles, back them up via Google Chrome Backup.
Click here to see more tips & links!
And click here to see what others had to say about the "First Impression of Google Chrome" on them!
Not yet convinced? Still sticking with Firefox? (If you're still using IE, atleast shift to Firefox!) Here are some links for you then:
Best features of Chrome, now in Firefox & Opening Sites in Chrome from Firefox.
* Phew *
That's the best I could squeeze from my recent surfing ;) So what are your comments about Google Chrome? Tried it or not? Liked it or not?
Do Add a comment! :)
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