Chrome gained a big market share because it was made by Google and most people think that web browsers = search engines (search for "what is a web browser?" on Youtube to see it in interviews), Google is the biggest name on Internet (most accessed website / most used search engine) and Chrome ads are everywhere and in some software installers.
Opera haven't copied Chrome's apearence and features: there's a difference between minimalism and ellegance. Mozilla and Maxthon aren't going to copy Chrome visual either. The fact is that the web browsers' UI are becoming smaller to left more space for the webpage the user wants to see, that's all.
Opera haven't copied Chrome's appearance and features: there's a difference between minimalism and ellegance. Mozilla and Maxthon aren't going to copy Chrome visual either. The fact is that the web browsers' UI are becoming smaller to left more space for the webpage the user wants to see, that's all.
Allow me to point out where they are copying Chrome instead of doing their own thing.
Opera: The first thing you will notice with Opera 10.5x is the removal of the separate title bar. It's now the tab bar just like Chrome. Widgets now run in their own processes and the result is bloat. The big change is the increase in releases and decrease in time between them. This is no doubt done because Chrome updates so often and gives the appearance of being very actively developed which of course it is. Unfortunately for Opera the rapid releases are resulting in a memory hogging bug riddled browser. Opera was always very stable and their releases relatively problem free. Now they go from alpha to beta to release candidate to final in short order.
Firefox: The next release will be with plugins in separate processes. This is due month end. The up coming releases will take it farther adding extensions and tabs in separate processes.
Have you seen the skin for the future release of Firefox? Tabs on top and very Chrome like. Mozilla has also said they will speed up the release cycles greatly and not only that they will start releasing things as minor updates that previously would have been major updates. That sounds like buggy browser to me.
Again done to keep up with Chrome
Maxthon: All kinds of things going on there. Not only are the tabs going on top they are out right switching to the Web Kit rendering engine and separate processes.
Safari: Going to be bringing in separate processes for plugings very shortly. They already tried the tabs on top thing with Safari 4 beta but the Mac crowd flipped out about it and it was dropped in Safari 4 final.
It's very clear they are all considering Chrome the one to follow.There won't be much separating the browsers in the future. Maybe some one will see this and see an opportunity to develop a browser that is completely different. The funny thing is that IE was actually fist with the separate processes for tabs and plugins but it didn't get any attention until chrome started to take off. I find it amusing because I don't believe it's the separate processes or tabs on top or any of that making Chrome popular. It's the very simple, basic, lacking in features UI and the Google name that is making it popular right now.
I think Chrome is turning popular just because of the Google name, because Chrome is a perfect clone of Firefox right now: they added themes and extensions, which makes Chrome have the same number of features than Firefox or more (bookmarks synch, etc), so it's not the minimalism that's winning (unless you think in "minimalism" as a word Google used to make their marketing, so people would think it's small and fast).
And... I don't think people does notice the smaller Opera / Chrome UI, unless they had toolbars installed in IE / FF.
As luik points out Anomoly, this is just what you think.
There will always be browser fads, just as there are av fads, and image backup fads. It is the nature of the internet.
Give it a year or two and things will change again.
Always remember it is your choice what you choose, it is your finger on the download or uninstall button.
Are you telling me that you don't see the changes the other browsers are making to be more Chrome like? None of the points I made were what I "think". They are all facts. Tell me one thing that I said that wasn't true.
No, I thought that Chrome lacks features then how can it be copied?
Tabs on top look. Separate process for plugins and tabs, rapid release cycles. I pointed out many ways for each browser in my other post. You know that though and are just trying to be difficult. My question was directed at Hazelnut anyways.
I would argue differently on many of the points your presenting anomaly.
There is no doubt that Google Chrome has had some impact on other browsers, but blaming their problems on its success is a little far fetched.
For one thing I would attribute Opera's latest debacle more with them trying to rush a new version to get it on that MS browser choice page that they lobbied the EU for YEARS to get. Same thing for Maxthon, these browsers were finally getting exposure and now out come the bugs because they weren't ready to put out stable versions for their big shot.
Not sure why your demonizing having tabs and extensions run in separate processes. The concept is simple enough, its so that if a tab hangs or an extension or browser plug in crashes the whole browser doesn't crash. Anybody remember when FF started getting big and flash would randomly shut your browser down? Not fun. Sure if its done badly it can be something to complain about but theres a reason other browsers are copying this feature.
I dont use chrome(I don't use google services anymore except search) but I think your being a little short sighted in some of your analysis. I actually think web browsers are now the most important application on any computer and anything to make them better is fine by me.
I would argue differently on many of the points your presenting anomaly.
There is no doubt that Google Chrome has had some impact on other browsers, but blaming their problems on its success is a little far fetched.
For one thing I would attribute Opera's latest debacle more with them trying to rush a new version to get it on that MS browser choice page that they lobbied the EU for YEARS to get. Same thing for Maxthon, these browsers were finally getting exposure and now out come the bugs because they weren't ready to put out stable versions for their big shot.
Not sure why your demonizing having tabs and extensions run in separate processes. The concept is simple enough, its so that if a tab hangs or an extension or browser plug in crashes the whole browser doesn't crash. Anybody remember when FF started getting big and flash would randomly shut your browser down? Not fun. Sure if its done badly it can be something to complain about but theres a reason other browsers are copying this feature.
I dont use chrome(I don't use google services anymore except search) but I think your being a little short sighted in some of your analysis. I actually think web browsers are now the most important application on any computer and anything to make them better is fine by me.
I seem to be coming off as a Chrome hater. I'm not. I have it installed on all my computers and actually think it works very well on my Mac except for the bloat. I'm a fan of tabs on top to and have been since I started using Opera years ago. My problem is with the other browsers all of a sudden changing to be more Chrome like because Chrome managed to catch on so fast. I like having a variety of browsers because as you said it's the most important program on the computer. There is no variety when they start to be all the same. I'm also concerned about how stable the browsers will be making all the changes to keep up with or follow Chrome.
As for the problems that are supposed to be fixed by the multi process thing. I never had a crashing problem with Firefox. I have had Chrome crash on me several times and take the whole browser down. The separate processes did not work. All they have done is increase the bloat. If all the browsers follow Chrome than they will be bloated.
I find it interesting that IE had the separate processes before Chrome and yet it wasn't until Chrome did it that the other browsers started to do it. Do you really want Firefox or Opera to start following instead of leading? We will see how it goes. Interesting to see how this upcoming "minor" update in Firefox goes.
I find it interesting that IE had the separate processes before Chrome and yet it wasn't until Chrome did it that the other browsers started to do it. Do you really want Firefox or Opera to start following instead of leading? We will see how it goes. Interesting to see how this upcoming "minor" update in Firefox goes.
Please tell me if I'm wrong...
Internet Explorer 8 (with separated processes architecture) was released to the general public March 5, 2008 (Beta 1).
<<<7 months>>>
Chrome has separated processes since its first release in September 2, 2008.
This feels like somewhat copying or just improving stability for you?
Ok... Ok..., my opinion is that they are so near (in a browser development terms) that it feels like they had the same idea at the same time!
Chrome release was about 1 year and a month ago so I don't think Mozilla is copying it, they are just changing to improve stability.