Dave's Download

Google Chrome Alone Can't Defeat Microsoft's Browser

By David LaGesse

Posted: September 2, 2008

Google logo

Not even the search giant Google and its new Google Chrome can steal the browser market from Microsoft.

Lesser competitors have struggled to get people to download software to replace Internet Explorer, which has been the laggard in browser performance for years. Most people don't want the hassle or fear the unknown. Internet Explorer is already on all Windows computers and works well enough. It's a safe choice. It's secure enough, easy enough to use, and most sites work with it.

Mozilla's Firefox, a browser called Opera, and Apple's Safari have kept ahead of Internet Explorer with features and/or speed. But we're creatures of habit, and the competitors haven't had the name recognition and marketing savvy to sell their alternatives.

Google has the dollars, a well-known name, and marketing wits. It might make headway. But judging from a new version of Internet Explorer that was released for testing, Microsoft can keep pace. The default choice for Windows users will be good enough.

The only thing that will unseat Internet Explorer is an unseating of Windows. And despite Vista's problems, that's not happening anytime soon.

downloading Google Chrome

No matter how much I tryed..I can not download Google Chrome.

It goes through all.. then nothing....Is there anything you can say to help?....Gary Mancini

Gary Mancini of FL @ Oct 09, 2008 10:26:23 AM

Google Chrome presents problem...

Cloud computing and browser based (web) applications are overrated. The web (HTTP, HTML, JavaScript, etc.) was never intended to be a platform to run applications. Protocols and infrastructure need to be greatly enhanced if web service based computing is going to rival desktop computing. Given the pure power and low cost of desktop computers today, it would be ludicrous for developers to ignore this in favor of a purely web environment. A lot of Web 2.0 cheerleaders have never developed a web application before and they don't understand the limitations, costs, and other burdens associated with this type of development. Although jaded from Java applets circa 1999, I must admit that Java seems to be one of the few truly platform independent technologies that provides native capabilities for desktop and internet based computing. I think consumers would be better served if players in the industry focused on an architecture that leverages the powers of the desktop AND service based computing. JavaScript running in a web browser does not constitute leveraging the desktop.

Alexander Sterczek of IL @ Sep 07, 2008 12:36:10 PM

Google Chrome

There is always space for innovation and new ideas in our society.Slowly slowly more people will try to take a chance to check how new rivals of internet explorer has designed there web browser. Also there must be alternatives,so the individual can choose. Think the those old days when there was no competitor to internet explorer which was really slow and lack much of add on. Now due to these new browsers, the IE8 beta 2 has come. I think in near future there will be more technological refinement in online world that will provide more options,more security with more smooth functions. I want to congratulation to Google for its efforts for breaking the monopoly issues in the online world.Also its opensource commitment makes him the real leader of www...................

Dishant Sharma @ Sep 03, 2008 13:44:13 PM

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Dave's Download

Our in-house gadget guru, Senior Writer David LaGesse, checks out the latest technologies and gizmos, from computer software to GPS systems -- and reports back to you in plain English.


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