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Google Chrome Annoyances (Part 1)

Let me preface this series of postings with this statement: After 14 days of use, I find Google Chrome a satisfying browser to use. That satisfaction comes from its UI simplicity, speedy response time and stability.

However, here are some of the features that I wish Google Chrome had:

  • I still reflexively press the "/" key when I want to start a search on the current page, only to discover that the search word I typed is not showing up in the lower left corner. Then I remember that I have to use "Ctrl-F" and look at the upper right corner.
  • I tried to find a way to add a "Printer" icon to the address bar but failed. And I find the "Print..." menu item in the context menu to be "further away" than an icon in the address bar.
  • The idea of a "Home" page that contains your browsing history sound good, but I find myself using it less than I expected. I go there only when I know I can find the link threr before hand.
  • I find myself wanting to setup multiple "Starting Page" tabs (what Firefox calls "Home Pages") and the UI for doing that is awful. I struggled to get the tabs to line up just the way I wanted.
  • I haven't felt the urge to hunt for plugins for this browser too often. But the few times I did try, I failed. I'm using Google Chrome without the benefit of AdBlock or Google Toolbar.

Granted, some of the above complaints are Firefox inertia. But nevertheless, they are Google Chrome pain points. I'm sure people who come to Google Chrome from IE, Safari, or Opera would have different sets of pain points of their own.

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Posted by Weiqi Gao on September 16, 2008 7:40:57 AM CDT #


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Re: Google Chrome Annoyances (Part 1)

Comment from Rick Umali on September 16, 2008 9:47:04 PM CDT #
I share your beef with the "/" key initiating a search. Firefox used "/", but this key meshed perfectly with my own VI editor muscle memory. I miss it.
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Re: Google Chrome Annoyances (Part 1)

Comment from Anonymous on September 17, 2008 2:08:01 AM CDT #
Wow... you are totally missing the point of Chrome, ctrl-F has and is being used in many browser nowadays including firefox, flock, opera, safari, internet explorer (6,7,8), etc... Since you seem to like to use shortcuts, like ctrl-f, try ctrl-p for print. If you don't like the homepage you can change it away from the default to whatever page you like by choosing settings(the little wrench in the upper right corner), then options, under the basics tab half way down you can specify your own personal homepage. As for add-ons since this is a BETA version your not going to find too many. It was release about three weeks ago as a beta (0.2.149.29) not even close to being a release candidate yet. Last but not least, to have the pages open the way you want them to in the tabs just put them in the order you want them.. is that too much to ask or do you want going to read your mind to (btw this feature is located right above where you change your homepage). How in the hell did this make it on the front page of reddit!?
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Re: Google Chrome Annoyances (Part 1)

Comment from Weiqi Gao on September 17, 2008 7:02:43 AM CDT #

You misunderstood me. I was just being a good beta tester and providing some feedback.

The answers to all your questions are yes, except the "is it too much to ask?" one.

The answer to that question is "it depends on what benefit one gets from switching."

"It's from Google. And it's really cool!!!" just won't cut it for the average users.

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Re: Google Chrome Annoyances (Part 1)

Comment from Anonymous on September 17, 2008 3:10:28 PM CDT #
I kinda agree with the above person. You stated that you "wished" chrome had these features and he/she just pointed out that it already does. I do agree that the UI needs to be improved thou.
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Re: Google Chrome Annoyances (Part 1)

Comment from Weiqi Gao on September 17, 2008 3:22:57 PM CDT #

You are both right. What I wished were not features, but the specific Firefox ways of getting at these features.

I think my question of "Why Google Chrome?" remain valid.

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And what is does to your privacy ?

Comment from Privacy Advocate on September 18, 2008 1:06:18 PM CDT #
wow! No gripes about the unique id that chrome uses for each install to violate (to be precise RA**) one's privacy ? Surely you know that.

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