What is it with Google Chrome?
Seriously, I know my way around when it comes to computers and lately my feedreader was buzzing with Google’s Chrome. All the major sites were running articles on it. Even the most utterly non-tech-related TV shows here in Germany (”taff” for those who know what I’m talking about) mentioned and praised it.
Why? Is Google’s Chrome such an unbelievable innovation and revolution? Yeah, okay, the “one process per tab” is nice but doesn’t seem to be all that new. As the Google team admits: Operating system did that for quite some time!

Also the other features that are being lauded, like the personalized home page are nothing completely new either. Yes, it might be true that Chrome’s the first browser to integrate all that in one application but I dare to say, that if an independent team of (pure) OSS developers did something like that the app would not recieve half the admiration.
Google’s in the position to do something like that. Look at Google - what was it with Lively? Quite the buzz too, but I don’t notice it around anymore. I simply say it failed (though I might be wrong). But does Google care? No, why would they, it’s not like they didn’t have the money! This freedom to experiment is something positive as well as negative.
Yes, Chrome might be open source so complaints like “It’s gathering personal information!” will probably soon lead to something like “Vanadium”.
I am not saying that Google Chrome is per se a bad browser! It’s just that attitude “My, Google did it, Google doesn’t do evil, must have it!” The Google guys are a terrible intelligent bunch of people, I am completely willing to admit that, but I didn’t see anyone jumping over to Firefox the minute it emmerged from the web as Phoenix.
This might be due to the stability and maturity of Google’s products when they are being presented to the public even when it’s in “Beta” stage. But come on, it’s power! Their power!
It looks like Google’s plan of taking over the world is going quite well! Yes, thank you, I am aware that a) it was only a matter of time and b) many people saw that coming for years… I guess not seeing the signs was kind of… stupid?
Only a few minutes ago a friend of mine messaged me: “Oh, I’m using Google Chrom now!” I spontaneously went offline - I was in kind of a shock. When I came back online she instantly said “I like Google! Very much!” Only one thing comes to mind: Brain washing. Zombies. Manipulation. Okay, that were three things, but all spook me. Not enough reflection anyone?
Am I the only one who thinks this development is really terrifying? Maybe I’m completely exagerating - but maybe I’m right! Come on, you just have to look closely enough…

No, I am not the only one who thinks the Google Chrome Logo looks like a feaking Poké Ball. Also: Anyone pointing out that it’s kind of ironic that I’m linking to a Google search: Yeah… yeah well… You’re right. It’s a nice demonstration however how closely interwoven Google seems to be with daily usage. The link? Pokémon was / is hugely successful! Like the saying goes: “Better stolen well than copied badly.”
Also Chrome! I mean…
Sorry if some of you don’t like Spongebob, but it just came to my mind and it feels a lot like that.
GNUCITIZEN has a nice article too.
Well, my argumentation might not be the strongest one, but I have this feeling, that Chrome is… not what we’re all looking for. I will observe the development in a very critical way and strongly hope that Chrome is not going to become the standard - for I don’t like it!





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