Google Chrome

[John of PA]

Has anyone switched from using Internet Explorer to Google Chrome (to access the internet). What I am hearing is, with Google Chrome which can be easily donwloaded, if your still using Windows XP, your computer will run much faster and more efficient when on the interent (especially when in memory hogs such as CNN, FoxNews or Facebook). I'm still on Windows XP (becasue Drake runs better in XP than Win 7 or 8) and am considering switching.

[DTS]

John

Just last week I got rid of Chrome for second time. For me, I'm happier without it, but that's just me and others might have a different take.

[Nashville]

Dunno

I dunno John. All of them seem to have hidden agendas. The Microsoft versions download so much crap that the advertisers want you to see that you have no earthly desire to do so - that the time required to populate the screen reminds you of the old dial-up days. And of course, this hogs your computer's resources too.

I did find some relief with Google Chrome, and was getting a plain ole' "X" in screen spots where flashing advertisers used to be. I don't know whether these advertisers were simply not paying Google, or whether they were just being screened out. If I were an IT person I would know more. But don't delude yourself for a minute that Google won't fill up your screen with a buncha crap for the right price.

The situation is so bad with the Google search engine that you can't really find what you're looking for. You can search for a hardware store in a small town 75 miles from the nearest Home Depot or Lowe's, but these two are the first things Google will shove down your throat. Your small home-town hardware store might be found on page 29. The worst is the increasingly ubiquitous Ask.com appearing at the forefront of every search, who will carry you through many screens worth of advertising before providing something as simple as a phone #.

One sign that a search engine is hogging your resouces is when selections appear before you are even complete typing in your query.

Got off-topic a little I guess, but some of this stuff really is rant-worthy.

[taxxcpa]

Chrome

I've been using Google Chrome for about a year now. It seems to work faster than most other browsers.
The other day I had the Chrome ad blocker interfere with something and changed my default browser to Opera, but still use Chrome for most purposes.

Due to the ad blocker problem, I tried the very-slow Internet Explorer and, while it did not have the ad-blocker problem, it apparently installed BING on my computer and it took me a long time to find a way to disable it--and I'm not sure it is fully disabled.

[ATSMAN]

I use Firefox for browsing. I need IE to do windows update only.

[ChEAr$]

I use Firefox for browsing. I need IE to do windows update only.

Intersting observation. I use Firefox for everything, and never use IE; yet my Windows updates work just fine.
IOW, it doesn't depend on which browser you use, if you have windows update set on automatic. It will then
operate independently of any browser you may be using, for it connect directly with MS and not via the browser.

Now my Firefox AND my computer was running verrrryy slow..ww ly, so I suspected some kind of malware.
even though I use Microsoft essentials for security purposes I downloaded the free copy of Super Anti Spyware, ran it, and
the da*ned trojan was cleaned up
So even if you use one of the popuplar softwares, Mcafee, AVG, etc, you can still use this Super Anti Spyware to
clean things up.

Hope this may help somebody.

[DTS]

I just switched to Firefox this past week and browsing is much faster for me, nothing is hanging up, etc., and the visual side is a lot better, as well. Not sure why.

[Gretel]

I have all three browsers on my Windows 7 machine since a number of years (before on XP). I love and use Chrome (mostly for being faster but also for having tools available to deal better with spam, ad blocking, etc.) for everything I can. I did not need to use IE since a number of years. Some forms and banking and government access do not work well with Chrome, I got into the habit of using Firefox for all these purposes since I got tired of trying Chrome first just to discover I cannot use it. Most of the sites won't tell you. However, I keep forgetting using Firefox and noticed that I have less problems with forms and certain sites then a couple of years ago.

I also switched my e-mail to gmail when I switched to Chrome. This is one of the best, if not the best, move I made in recent years. With gmail you can also install Thunderbird, which is an e-mail program installed on your computer and much easier to navigate than the internet version in Chrome. Thunderbird is synchronized with Chrome meaning that you have the advantage of a local e-mail program and have all your e-mails available where ever you are. It has some limitations, like e-mails send through Chrome won't be in your local folders, but everything done in Thunderbird is also in Chrome. Another big advantage is that no e-mail needs to be deleted and you can easily search years back (very fast). I am using this since years and am still far away from having reached my limit. Of course, all junk gets deleted.

[S T]

Gretel, thanks for your insight on Google Chrome - Unfornately I have had major issues - so will eventually have to change as Igoogle will not be available after 11/1/2013

I really dislike all of the "ADs" that Google is now providing and several are presenting "virus" and "malware" - been testing this on an auxillary computer with Win 7 for months - that I am cleaning off weekly

Google Chrome would just "crash" or I end up with "major virus" notices, and I am running MS Essentials, as well as Malware

So just don't know what I am going to eventually end up with, guess it will take some time and investigation.

For now, not installing "Googgle Chrome" will try a few other Internet Search engines.

I have used Google for so long, it is a habit and a choice I have to make for change , but feel like Google is more about "Ad Campaigns" and paying subscribers, than providing a really good search engine for the rest of us that "do not advertise"

Anyone else have some feedback and what they are going to do??? Any search engines that seem to be more manageable???

Sandy

[FEDUKE404]

Be careful of virus notices

...

Google Chrome would just "crash" or I end up with "major virus" notices, and I am running MS Essentials, as well as Malware
...


Sandy

Unless those "major virus notices" are originating from your OWN (installed) software, you may need to be extremely wary of them.

If is not uncommon to see a "Microsoft warning" or "Your computer is infected!!" notice which, in itself, is problematic in that pursuing the warnings can load virus/worms/whatever onto your computer. It's the same process where something starts flashing announcing "You're a winner of ....."

I have used Thunderbird for my emails for many years. The format is merely an improved version of what originally was part of Netscape software. I also am moving away from IE toward Firefox, and so far have not encountered any significant problems. Mozilla software (Firefox and T'bird) has generally served me well. At this time I've not downloaded Google Chrome.

It should be noted that most of my work is done via a desktop computer. Perhaps Chrome is better suited for some newer laptops and/or smart phones???

FE

[S T]

Just to be sure - I am using an auxillary secondary computer and testing, and Chrome is just giving a lot of issues - Ads as opposed to a real search are one issue - and those "pesty" little notices, you need to update "java" you have a virus so scan now " all signs of "trojans"

And again I am running MS Security Essentials, and Malware, and have Kapersky on the backend to clean - Two different platforms, one still on XP and one on Win 7

IE alone gives grief - so Chrome - I don't think so - going to move onto probably Firefox - and find an alternative Search Engine in place of Google.

I am not impressed with Chrome!

Thanks for the post and the feedback - had not heard of Thunderbird for emails, so will look into that as I use MS Outlook for viewing and the ATT platform.

Sandy