Accelerating Technology: Chrome Outfoxes Firefox
After hearing quite a bit about Google’s browser Chrome, I became curious. Is it really better than Firefox? It seems that old habits die hard, and it is pretty easy to fall into using the same browser. Finally, my curosity won out, and I downloaded and installed Chrome yesterday.
It was the first time in long time I got excited about a new software. It was unbelievable. Super fast. Intuitive. And, it worked. I went to a variety of flash and Java sites, as well as Facebook. It worked flawlessly and quickly.
Buy why is Chrome better than Firefox?
About the only thing I don’t like about Firefox is that for many sites I sit around waiting for the page to load. Yes, it’s partially do to a slow computer, average DSL, and network traffic. But all that stuff did not affect Chrome! Google, you’ve done it again!
Another great thing about Chrome is that it is distinctly minimalist. There is no extra buttons, icons, or information. None of that stuff. So it is a much cleaner interface. Many people don’t realize it, but having buttons and icons littered around causes stress and can make it harder to focus.
So that raises some interesting questions. Firefox was a quantum leap from Internet Explorer, whose claim to fame is that it is the world’s slowest browser. And, the other outstanding thing about Firefox is that it proved the power of Open Source development. Yes, it’s possible to create an outstanding software written by thousands of developers for free. Wow.
Now let’s consider Chrome’s speed. If it is twice as fast as Firefox, then that represents a massive improvement. Of course it depends on many different factors, but as a rough estimate let’s use it for this discussion. And Firefox was easily twice as fast as IE. So, perhaps the speed of browsers doubled every few years. Firefox 1 was released in November 2004, so that was 5 years ago. So, as a very rough estimate, the speed of browsers could have doubled every 2 years.
Although it’s true that the above analysis may not meet the standards of academic rigour, I use it simply as an example of the ubiquity of accelerating technology. It seems that the more places we look, the more we find the power of technology improving our human experience at a rate that is quite consistent.
Moore’s law originally stated a doubling rate of every 2 years, and it was later restated to be every 1.5 years. Accelerating technology is reducing that number, and soon it will reach every year. If technology is doubling faster and faster, and we see it in more and more areas of our lives, where will it lead us?
is one of my favorite financial books of all time. It's an allegory about a guy who has a terrible job, and how he overcomes challenges to achieve his dreams.
Interesting review! For some reason, I’m against so many things Google. Perhaps it’s bc they are based here in the San Francisco Bay Area, and a lot of them are so cocky.
I root for the underdog, Yaho!
@Financial Samurai
Did you try Chrome?
By the way, love your site!
I’m not a big Bay Area fan. To me, the whole place seems like smoke-and-mirrorsville. Everyone is rushing around evangelizing new technologies, but it’s really all about the money.
But, I went to Google Headquarters for some training on a Search Appliance and it’s an amazing company. They have great products, great employees and a cool motto about not doing evil. I wish more American companies were more focussed on their mission and less focussed on their quarterly financials.
I will have to try out Chrome.
@Hope to Prosper
Yes, it’s true that most companies are in it to make money. But Google is doing a lot of good also! Try out Chrome and tell us what you think!