Google Chrome v Internet Explorer: Pt. 3

Screen size. It doesn't matter whether we're talking HDTVs or high-resolution computer monitors; everbody wants more screen size. Traversing the Internet is just one example where screen size matters. Whether we're working in a web-based app like GMail or Evergreen, the more we can see, the more we can do. So why then should we be complacent when a browser takes up unneeded space with its interface? Shouldn't a browser stick to what it was created to do--feed us the Internet as quickly and with as little obstructions as possible?

In an ironic twist on its name, Google Chrome sets out to do just that. By reducing the new browser's "chrome"--the graphical interface of the browser--Google has improved on an area where Microsoft Internet Explorer has historically lagged. Click on the image below to view 3 slides highlighting the impact of each browser's chrome on the screen.



If you're into numbers, here are the pixel dimensions of the viewable space within the chrome of each browser configuration on my machine.

	Width	Height	Area (px)
Internet Explorer 7	1440	875	1,260,000
Google Chrome w/ Bookmarks	1444	927	1,338,588
Google Chrome w/o Bookmarks	1444	955	1,379,020

Comparing the two extremes--IE7 default with Google Chrome sin Bookmarks menu*--reveals nearly a 10% difference! While this difference may vary depending on your screen size and resolution, it is certainly a reality and something hopefully you'll think about more the next time you're on the web.

Come back next week for reason #2 to switch to Google Chrome: Reliability.

* I'm including the version of Google Chrome without the Bookmark menu due to how close this configuration is to being a default. All it takes is the following keystroke to hide the Bookmark menu (Ctrl + B).  

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See Related Posts > Pt. 1: Tabs, Pt. 2: Amazing Address Bar

Google Chrome v Internet Explorer: Pt. 2

Another great feature of Google Chrome is the address bar. While internet browsers such as Firefox (and yes) even Internet Explorer have incorporated search functionality into their address bars, neither one has done so in such a streamlined way as Google Chrome. 

The GC address bar basically receives two kinds of entries: 1) traditional URLs and 2) search terms. Suppose I wanted to purchase a brand new HDTV from the electronics giant BestBuy. I could hotkey to the address bar (Ctrl + L) and simply start typing the term “bestbuy”. In real time, a list beneath the address bar would begin populating with suggestions according to the following parameters. 

1. your previously inputted search terms
   
2. the highest ranked URL in Google’s index which most closely matches your input
   
3. previous results of related Google searches
   
4. 2 related search term suggestions
   
5. webpages from your browsing history containing the term you’ve typed
   

So for our “bestbuy” example, the following clickable list would appear:

What GC’s address bar ultimately means for you is a more personalized and comprehensive approach to internet browsing. Try it for yourself and see how it stacks up against the competition!

More about the Google Chrome Address Bar

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