Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Nothing but Chrome

As I posted back in June with regards to using Chrome as your main/default web browser, it is now even more critical that this be the case.  Although I still suggest having an IE alternative web browser on board and if you know me, that would be the Avant Browser, it is pretty much only for those very odd occasions where you stumble across a website that gives you nothing but error messages, stating you need to update your java or you can't open the pdf file without first installing the adobe reader.  All of which is not true when using the Chrome web browser as it comes with a built in (native pdf reader) as well as its own control on how java is to be used. You should be getting a pop down message stating this website requires the use of java and "do you want to run it this time or all the time" type message.  But regardless, having an alternative browser, in this case, the Avant Browser at your fingertips when you get such a message, being able to confirm the site is in fact working, becomes quite useful. In most cases, the website is either old and doesn't recognize the Chrome code or it is simply broken and expects the use of the Internet Explorer and so having the Avant Browser installed makes sense.  Some will say, "why not just use the Internet Explorer since it is already installed?" and my response would be, "sure, if you are referring to IE 9, but then that would most likely not already be installed since it (Windows 7) does not (yet) ship with IE9 installed and you are either using IE8 (which sucks) or IE7 which was "ok" at best. If you are still using IE6 then you are in dire need of updating and in most cases you are also probably using running Windows XP and so you are looking at upgrading to a new computer I should think!
The simple fact is Chrome is awesome. Not only does it automatically update the moment you open the browser while connected to the internet, but it is constantly improving with available extensions (add-ons also known as plug-in).  With everything on the computer now pretty much web-related, Chrome just makes sense.  It is still the only browser with top of the line security that hackers shy away from because they too seem to recognize a good product when they see it!
I write this post mainly because as of late, many people are questioning me to error messages they are receiving such as Java and Adobe and when I ask what browser they are using, even though I know they have Chrome installed, they are (still) using the Avant Browser.  I think the biggest problem with any browser that is not auto-updating is that simple fact.. that it is forever going to need to be updated and when it isn't, you get error messages. So do yourself a favour. If you aren't using Chrome yet, start using it and if you are using Chrome but not all the time, then simply delete the other browser icons from your desktop so that you don't accidentally click on it the next time you go web surfing.