Google Chrome megathread (pre-Linux version)

[NullHead]

Does it run in WINE?

I haven't, but it works really nicely in virtualbox!
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb7/masterchief-117/google-chrome.png

:lolflag:

Indeed it's running natively, but in virtualbox on my Dell Inspiron 8600 w/ 512mb of ram, so it's really not too bad running windows on top of Ubuntu :mrgreen:

[MatthewPlanchard]

Does it run in WINE?
Yes. If there isn't a link posted shortly, there is definitely a link within the last ten pages of the megathread. Just do a quick search.

[Canis familiaris]

Just stumbled onto this...

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=920746

[SomeGuyDude]

Just for the sake of argument, have a look here guys http://www.osnews.com/story/20244/Google_Chrome_Considered_Harmful

Looks like a hit job to me. The people who have used it say it uses less memory than Firefox (and two have said less than IE), so I'm not sure what this guy is basing ANYTHING he's saying on. Seems to me he read the cartoon and tried to think up ways to argue with it just through pure conjecture.

But to break it down, here's a number of stupid, stupid things he says:

As mentioned, Google banks on the idea that browser tabs are leaking memory. Thankfully there is an easy fix for this. Either use IE8, or when loading a demanding web page, do so in a new browser window, which operates on a separate process.

Ah yes, GREAT idea. Pick IE, the most insecure browser in existence, or open other browser windows? What year does he think we live in? 2002? Who the hell is going to be opening extra instances just for "demanding web pages"?

Next up, a figure wonders if it would be great to have a new browser. Apparently, it could be great. On the other hand designers, that will have yet another browser to test their pages against, wouldn't be delighted. Neither would plugin developers such as Adobe, Sun and Microsoft that would have yet another environment to support for their Flash, Java and Media Player + Silverlight plugins.

So apparently designing a new browser is BAD because it means web designers have another browser to test on. We just have to suck it up and deal with imperfect browsers because the poor devs shouldn't have to deal with a new browser. This guy must also hate Linux because it's to much work for software designers to have to deal with another OS.

By the way, did anyone else find it weird that he mentions using Internet Explorer a few times and brings up Silverlight, a technology that frankly no one is actually using? I notice Firefox gets no mention at all, either.

Being bored, I googled him. http://www.linkedin.com/pub/3/2A5/78B

Georgios Kasselakis’s Education

*
Aristoteleion Panepistimion Thessalonikis

Computer Science 2003 — 2007

Activities and Societies:
Co founded the Hellenic Student Computer Science Company, Microsoft Student Partner

I'm no conspiracy theorist, but I think this guy might just be slightly on MS's side for reasons other than objective analysis. Sure he doesn't have a job with them now, but you know damn well that being part of the MSP is a factor here.

[MatthewPlanchard]

Just stumbled onto this...

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=920746
It does just seem to be chromium in Wine, although the screenshots look admirable. I look forward to the native Linux version.

[Snoober]

I've tried it at work (Windows) and I love it. I'll be grabbing the Linux version as soon as it's available!

[enlightenment now]

Just tried the Google Chrome in Windows and I have to say I am impressed. This Web Browser is extremely fast and reliable.

I like the minimalism which is obviously ultimately meant to be used in Mobile devices, I look forward to using this in the Android OS on a Cell Phone.

[sharifi14]

We're all aware Google are working on a version of Chrome for Linux. My question (and slight worry) is whether Google are actually going to natively program Chrome for Linux, or pull one of their usual tricks and run it under Wine, much like Google Earth and Picasa.

Google Earth and Picasa are great pieces of software for Linux, but I can imagine they could be so much snappier and responsive when programmed natively for Linux.

What does everyone think? I'm interested to hear other people's opinions on this matter,

[Sealbhach]

I don't have Wine installed but I can run Google Earth. It's even in the repos.

So I assume Chrome will make its way into the repos someday too.


.

[Saint Angeles]

well according to many many many threads here on the forums, we're all going to die very soon... so i don't think it matters.

we're supposed to be living in fear... no more talk about good things like chrome.

but seriously, they have a native google earth... i imagine they would make a native chrome too.

[Valok]

I hope they make Chrome run well on Linux. I've tried it out a couple times on my windows partition and I really like it so far. Barring some huge error or safety problem with it I'll make it my full time browser once it comes to linux.

[littletinman]

Yeah Earth and Picasa are native.

What is this talk about the world ending?

[binbash]

Yeah Earth and Picasa are native.

What is this talk about the world ending?

Picassa is not native it uses wine.

[Valok]

Yeah Earth and Picasa are native.

What is this talk about the world ending?


It has to do with the Mayan calender and the internet being full of oddballs. Bottom line is a lot of people, whether they actually believe it or not, are saying the world will end in 2012.

[Sealbhach]

It has to do with the Mayan calender and the internet being full of oddballs. Bottom line is a lot of people, whether they actually believe it or not, are saying the world will end in 2012.

It takes four years for the black holes in the Large Hadron Collider to become big enough to consume the Earth.

2008+4=2012



.

[littletinman]

Oh cool, I guess i should start a family before the world ends eh?

Really picassa uses wine? I'm sorry, my mistake.

[Closed_Port]

Picassa is not native it uses wine.
That doesn't make it not native.

[FuturePilot]

That doesn't make it not native.

It doesn't use a native Linux toolkit nor a native Linux binary. They basically took a static version of Wine and slapped Picasa for Windows on top of it. Something I could have done myself. :-|

Google Earth does not use Wine. It's a true Linux native binary.

From what it looks like Chrome for Linux will be Linux native.

[Closed_Port]

It doesn't use a native Linux toolkit nor a native Linux binary.

That's the point. Wine is a native toolkit just like any other native toolkit. Or please elaborate on the technical differences that makes wine non-native and other toolkits native.


They basically took a static version of Wine and slapped Picasa for Windows on top of it. Something I could have done myself. :-|

No they didn't. They actually had to improve wine quite a bit. Something from which all wine users profited.

[sharifi14]

My terminology of 'native' seems to be of some debate, but I can't say I'm not proud :)! I'm no programmer, but as an end user Google Earth and Picasa don't look like they 'belong' on my Ubuntu desktop. All the menus, controls, and even the cursor look like they're from Windows 2000. Does this still make it a native Linux program?

So based on my understanding of the term 'native', i.e. look and feel, do you think Chrome will be written specifically for Linux? Take a look at Chrome in XP or Vista and you can see how it looks right at home in terms of window borders, controls, etc.

[FuturePilot]

That's the point. Wine is a native toolkit just like any other native toolkit. Or please elaborate on the technical differences that makes wine non-native and other toolkits native.

While Wine is native to Linux, the Windows programs you run on top of Wine are not. Wine is not really even a toolkit. A toolkit would be something like GTK or Qt.
No they didn't. They actually had to improve wine quite a bit. Something from which all wine users profited.
That is true, they have modified it a lot. But my point is that they did a quick hack instead of taking the time to make a quality native port.

[Closed_Port]

My terminology of 'native' seems to be of some debate, but I can't say I'm not proud :)! I'm no programmer, but as an end user Google Earth and Picasa don't look like they 'belong' on my Ubuntu desktop. All the menus, controls, and even the cursor look like they're from Windows 2000. Does this still make it a native Linux program?

Ehm, doesn't Google Earth use Qt? You can't get any more native than that, can you?
So what does this say about your argument that interface consistency defines a toolkit as being native?
Tcl/Tk looks hideous and out of place on every desktop environment I use it. Does this make it non-native?

[Closed_Port]

While Wine is native to Linux, the Windows programs you run on top of Wine are not.

So? If a program runs with a native toolkit, what's the problem?


Wine is not really even a toolkit. A toolkit would be something like GTK or Qt.

Right, it's more than a toolkit. So?

[zmjjmz]

Well, a Wine'd version of Chrome is already available.

[sharifi14]

Ehm, doesn't Google Earth use Qt? You can't get any more native than that, can you?
So what does this say about your argument that interface consistency defines a toolkit as being native?
Tcl/Tk looks hideous and out of place on every desktop environment I use it. Does this make it non-native?

I don't know what toolkit Google Earth uses - as I said, I'm not a programmer, I am an end user so please excuse my rudimentary understanding of 'native'.

But I do know that the Google Earth and Picasa interfaces stick out like a sore thumb compared to various other programs I use on Ubuntu, such as Totem Movie Player and Evolution.

My question is, do people think Chrome will be treated the same as Google Earth and Picasa, or will it flow more with the whole GUI of the operating system, much like Chrome does on XP and Vista.

[LaRoza]

My terminology of 'native' seems to be of some debate, but I can't say I'm not proud :)! I'm no programmer, but as an end user Google Earth and Picasa don't look like they 'belong' on my Ubuntu desktop. All the menus, controls, and even the cursor look like they're from Windows 2000. Does this still make it a native Linux program?

So based on my understanding of the term 'native', i.e. look and feel, do you think Chrome will be written specifically for Linux? Take a look at Chrome in XP or Vista and you can see how it looks right at home in terms of window borders, controls, etc.

By native, it is meant it is binary compatible or targets the OS. It is a bit blurry now, but since Wine provides a compatibility layer for an entirely incompatible platform, anything that runs on Wine is not native.

The look and feel is not a factor at all.


My question is, do people think Chrome will be treated the same as Google Earth and Picasa, or will it flow more with the whole GUI of the operating system, much like Chrome does on XP and Vista.

Chrome doesn't flow with the whole GUI in Windows...

[FuturePilot]

Let's step back for a second and forget about toolkits, GUIs, Interfaces, DE Integration, etc.. I'm speaking strictly of the binaries.

/opt/picasa/wine/drive_c/Program Files/Picasa2$ ls
buttons Picasa2.exe PicasaMediaDetector.exe qtsupport.dll update
cdautorun Picasa2.scr PicasaUpdate.exe runtime web
i18n picasai18n.dll plugins Uninstall.exe

There's Picasa. Now I know those are not native Linux binaries. That's the same thing as the Windows version. Yes it runs on Wine which is native to Linux. That's where the native-ness stops. Only Wine is native to Linux. The actual program Picasa is not.

[sharifi14]

By native, it is meant it is binary compatible or targets the OS. It is a bit blurry now, but since Wine provides a compatibility layer for an entirely incompatible platform, anything that runs on Wine is not native.

The look and feel is not a factor at all.
Thanks for the to-the-point definition! That seems to be the paragraph I've been looking for!

Chrome doesn't flow with the whole GUI in Windows...
I can see what you mean in terms of there being no menu bar, non-standard buttons.. but the window borders (i.e. bubble-blue on XP and glass effect on Vista) look like they belong on that OS. It looks unique enough to differentiate itself from the rest of the programs on the OS, but consistent enough to make you feel like you're still using Windows.

[LaRoza]

I can see what you mean in terms of there being no menu bar, non-standard buttons.. but the window borders (i.e. bubble-blue on XP and glass effect on Vista) look like they belong on that OS. It looks unique enough to differentiate itself from the rest of the programs on the OS, but consistent enough to make you feel like you're still using Windows.

Not really. The classic look makes it look very out of place.

[sharifi14]

Not really. The classic look makes it look very out of place.

Based on this article (http://www.theusabilityblog.com/misc/37-google-chrome-user-interface-ui-usability-review/), you are right, Chrome ignores every interface convention of XP and Vista. Even so, I think it looks quite anonymous and seems to fit nicely, especially in Vista.

So do you think Chrome for Linux will use the same Vista-like window controls or do you think they'll use the GTK themes? What would you prefer?

[simtaalo]

a minimalist gtk theme is what id like from linux chrome

[gnomeuser]

a minimalist gtk theme is what id like from linux chrome

And that is what you will get:

http://dev.chromium.org/developers/faq


Q. Does Chromium on Linux use GTK or Qt?
A. We're too early in the port to have incorporated a toolkit. Most of the custom drawing goes through a library called Skia, which is comparable to Cairo in that it draws lines and rectangles but not buttons and checkboxes.

Many people have strong opinions about the toolkit, and part of the reason it's so divisive is because both libraries are quite capable of meeting Chromium's needs. In fact, because most of Chromium is just custom rendering for showing a web page -- for example, even the popup of an HTML <select> control is custom-drawn by WebKit -- we anticipate the only real places the toolkit will be visible are in the way some form controls look and in various dialogs like the preferences and "save as" dialogs.

With all of that said, the plan is to use GTK. It's not due to any dislike of Qt, but just because there's more experience on the team with GTK and it matches the existing Firefox dependency on Linux. Please keep calm. :)

[the yawner]

Now that's interesting. :D
But still, will they go with tab-on-top metaphor or follow the common appearance amongst GTK apps?

[pt123]

Hopefully they won't and the some of you might learn to treat Mozilla better.

[t0p]

Hopefully they won't and the some of you might learn to treat Mozilla better.

Has someone been mistreating firefox? Aww, I'm gonna tell the RSPCA/<insert name of animal protection group here>!

[sharifi14]

Now that's interesting. :D
But still, will they go with tab-on-top metaphor or follow the common appearance amongst GTK apps?

That's the same kind of question I had in mind. Also, will it treat the status bar and menu bar in the same way? I have found the Linux community are very sensitive when a developer doesn't use the GTK theme (i.e. the debate over including the Firefox 3 'keyhole') and Google doesn't want to tread on their toes! As the Chromium FAQ says, we'll find out what it will look like in a few months...

[gjoellee]

You should take a look at the license!

Read more: http://www.kshoster.net/?c=tipsandtricks&h=chromelicense

[LaRoza]

Based on this article (http://www.theusabilityblog.com/misc/37-google-chrome-user-interface-ui-usability-review/), you are right, Chrome ignores every interface convention of XP and Vista. Even so, I think it looks quite anonymous and seems to fit nicely, especially in Vista.

So do you think Chrome for Linux will use the same Vista-like window controls or do you think they'll use the GTK themes? What would you prefer?

I don't mind it though. I am not a fan of "integration" as it is called. Everything should stand more or less alone with only a few dependencies.

I use Thunar (GTK), Opera (QT) and VLC (wxWidgets?) and don't care they don't looks the same. I use xmonad though.

[Closed_Port]

By native, it is meant it is binary compatible or targets the OS.

Binary compatible with what?
And how is it meant? Reference needed.


It is a bit blurry now, but since Wine provides a compatibility layer for an entirely incompatible platform, anything that runs on Wine is not native.

How is it entirely incompatible?
What about programs written with cross-platform toolkits?
What about programs especially written for wine?

[LaRoza]

Binary compatible with what?
And how is it meant? Reference needed.

What do you mean? Windows use the PE format. Linux uses the ELF format. Two different binary formats. Code compiled for Windows makes different system calls.


How is it entirely incompatible?

Its binary code makes system calls specific to DOS or Windows. It is an entirely different format.


What about programs written with cross-platform toolkits?

The Windows version of GTK isn't the same as the Linux version. They have the same API, that is it.


What about programs especially written for wine?

Wine provides a compatibility layer between Linux and Windows. Anything written "for wine" is written for Windows.

[Closed_Port]

The Windows version of GTK isn't the same as the Linux version. They have the same API, that is it.

Wine is an Open Source implementation of the Windows API on top of X, OpenGL, and Unix.
http://www.winehq.org/

[LaRoza]

Wine is an Open Source implementation of the Windows API on top of X, OpenGL, and Unix.
http://www.winehq.org/

Yes? So? What does that have to do with anything I said besides a rewording of my definiation of wine?

[Closed_Port]

Yes? So? What does that have to do with anything I said besides a rewording of my definiation of wine?
Hm, just a thought, but maybe you should put it into context with what I quoted in my post?

Oh, and while we are at it, you should really look up a definition of binary compatible. It's not what you seem to think.

Anyway, this conversation seems increasingly pointless, as people seem hellbend on even defining software that is written for a library that is native on linux as being non-native.

And just to be clear: I can certainly understand people having issues with software being ported by using wine, but having issues because of some perceived and vaguely defined non-nativeness always strikes me as uninformed and, to put it bluntly, rather silly.

Be that as it may, I see I've singlehandedly taken the thread off-topic, which wasn't my intention, but sometimes I have trouble controlling myself ;-D. So I'd like to apologize for that.

And now: Let's get back on topic.

[simtaalo]

And that is what you will get:

http://dev.chromium.org/developers/faq

:) doesnt that make me happy :lolflag:

[SirSigma]

I tried Chrome when I was still using Windows.

I can't go without the extensions. I really can't.

[Zyphrexi]

the four horsemen of the apocalypse shall ride.

[vishzilla]

I tried Chrome when I was still using Windows.

I can't go without the extensions. I really can't.

another positive move by Google? http://lifehacker.com/5052460/is-google-chrome-with-extensions-your-tipping-point

[SirSigma]

another positive move by Google? http://lifehacker.com/5052460/is-google-chrome-with-extensions-your-tipping-point

Wow! What a move...

But still, Firefox is good enough for me. I don't see a reason to make the jump.

[Orlsend]

I don't if I can trust Google for my browsing...The TAB memory feature could seem like something it can be abused for a certain use.

With there Privacy Policy and the Unique Browser ID, its seems you have no privacy with them.

[K.Mandla]

Merged similar threads.

[StOoZ]

I've just seen this :
http://www.ubuntugeek.com/how-to-install-chromium-google-chrome-in-ubuntu-using-deb-package.html

now , so there is a linux version or not?

[vishzilla]

Thats basically Chrome+Wine. Btw, with wine 1.1.5 https websites works with Chrome

[StOoZ]

hmm I see ,thanks for the reply.
i'll wait for a google's linux version release.

[MatthewPlanchard]

So, perhaps slightly off topic, but I saw this article today about a new type of Data Center for which Google has apparently just filed the patents.

Google Floating Data Centers (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/09/google-floats-data-center-patent.php)

So yes, it's a floating data center that sits out at sea, drawing all its power from subsurface waves. Not only is it green, but it is a brilliant business move, seeing as how they can just float out at sea, paying no property taxes whatsoever.

Of course, they will have to watch out for pirates.

[lukjad007]

Avast me hearties! I be settin' sail t'day!

[hey_ram]

i have been trying chrome for a week or maybe more and I find it to be a lot better than firefox. sure it does'nt have the extesnions (as yet) that firefox has made a standard of...but some ideas such as:
1. every tab has its own process
2. the pages load faster
take the cake. i have tried it on a few pages and it is a lot faster than explorer and firefox.

i just hope they launch a version for linux pretty soon...and dont repeat some of the mistakes(i think) that firefox made. that of making the browser a lot clunkier as the versions have progressed.

[enlightenment now]

I've just seen this :
http://www.ubuntugeek.com/how-to-install-chromium-google-chrome-in-ubuntu-using-deb-package.html

now , so there is a linux version or not?

There is also this: Google Chrome Build Instructions for Linux (http://cafelinux.org/forum/index.php/topic,1931.0.html)

The answer is yes & no, you have to look at it from Google's perspective they are asking Linux users to jump in and help develop it for Linux.

They have given you all the tools you need. Now it is up to you to help develop it.

If it hasn't occurred to anyone yet the answer to why is obvious. Google is using this as a recruitment tool for Linux Developers. The ones that sit back and complain "why haven't they released a Linux version first" fall on deaf ears. The Linux User/Developers that say hey this is cool, they have given me all the tools I need to build a Linux version of Google Chrome. These are the ones that Google is hoping for. This does not mean the Linux Developer would accept the job from Google if offered but it would open a door for Google to take notice and consideration, and perhaps contact the developer(s).

Also, if you interested I have started a Google Chrome Social Group here at Ubuntu Forums, if your interested please join,
http://ubuntuforums.org/group.php?groupid=286

[megadeus]

Sorry if this has been answered, but the thread is 100+ pages and that's a lot to read for one answer!

Does running Chrome in Wine still produce tabs with their own processes in Linux? That is, can I run ps or top to hunt down and kill misbehaving tabs, or would I have to use about:memory or somesuch?

This would be my primary motivation for installing Chrome + Wine (until the native Linux version comes out).

[oldsoundguy]

Will post this again. We pulled Chrome OFF of my brother's Windows machine and went back to Firefox. Seems as if Chrome did not react well with several of his regular sites .. one being his bank.
YMMV, but I would wait until it gets updated and made ready for Linux prime time before I would consider using it.
FWIW, it does work well most of the time .. but the operative word is MOST.

[bruce89]

Will post this again. We pulled Chrome OFF of my brother's Windows machine and went back to Firefox. Seems as if Chrome did not react well with several of his regular sites .. one being his bank.


That's thanks to the braindead bank's policy of only allowing IE and FF in to their site. A bit of useragent faking can sort that though.

[oldsoundguy]

Not everyone is into code writing or tweaking .. most (including my handicapped brother) just want it to WORK out of the box. If it does not do so, why fight it? Eventually Google will get it right, but remember, this release is still called a BETA release.

[Deep Blue]

I tried (and still own) Google Chrome. It's very nice; replaced Firefox (:-({|=). I dual boot, so I didn't have to go through the hassle of putting it on Wine (is it hard to do so?)... anyways it's a great browser. I love dynamic tabs and the address bar is nice too.

I have no problem with Google sending back information to their servers.

[bruce89]

Not everyone is into code writing or tweaking .. most (including my handicapped brother) just want it to WORK out of the box. If it does not do so, why fight it? Eventually Google will get it right, but remember, this release is still called a BETA release.

It's not a problem that Google can "fix".

What is happening is that this bank (and most of them) block any browsers that aren't IE or Firefox. Mind you, in the old days, it was only IE that was allowed.

Notice that other browsers have no problems with these sites (usually), so the ban is stupid.

[oldsoundguy]

It's not a problem that Google can "fix".

What is happening is that this bank (and most of them) block any browsers that aren't IE or Firefox. Mind you, in the old days, it was only IE that was allowed.

Notice that other browsers have no problems with these sites (usually), so the ban is stupid.

EXACTLY and as I stated: "it is a BETA" No IT in his/her right mind working at a sensitive location is going to alter their site restrictions to allow a BETA browser in. Once they have a true share in the browser market area and are proven solid, and relatively safe (NONE are totally safe), then there will be an allowance of the browser. But if you have to do a tap dance to get into the bank where you have been banking for 20 years, WHY? Especially when something else WORKS.
(and Opera, Netscape and Safari are allowed into most of those institutions.)
BUT, even now, there are still many sites that still limit to IE. When, if the current trend continues, by the end of the year, IE of any iteration combined will no longer have 50% or better share of the market.
THAT is a stupid IT!

[bruce89]

EXACTLY and as I stated: "it is a BETA" No IT in his/her right mind working at a sensitive location is going to alter their site restrictions to allow a BETA browser in. Once they have a true share in the browser market area and are proven solid, and relatively safe (NONE are totally safe), then there will be an allowance of the browser. But if you have to do a tap dance to get into the bank where you have been banking for 20 years, WHY? Especially when something else WORKS.
(and Opera, Netscape and Safari are allowed into most of those institutions.)
BUT, even now, there are still many sites that still limit to IE. When, if the current trend continues, by the end of the year, IE of any iteration combined will no longer have 50% or better share of the market.
THAT is a stupid IT!

Well, they don't allow other non-beta browsers (Safari, Opera etc.)

[oldsoundguy]

Well, my bank does (allow Opera, Safari, Netscape) as does my investments broker. (since Safari is MAC)
The only thing I had to change in using Firefox or Opera (which is on my PDA) was to enable third party cookies in order to be able to transfer funds and pay bills on line with my bank.
Chrome is nice .. just that it is still BETA and has some issues for SOME.

[Jordanwb]

I like how fast it loads on my 8 year old thinkpad. I click the icon and Bam! it's open. Ironically it's kinda slow on my faster desktop PC. Flash video performance sucks but that's not Google's fault.

[Dr Small]

A simple experiment for anyone to try with this great browser. Try typing the following in the address bar:
:%

[aktiwers]

A simple experiment for anyone to try with this great browser. Try typing the following in the address bar:
:%

What does it do?

[Dr Small]

What does it do?
How would I know? I've never used Chrome...

[Deep Blue]

How would I know? I've never used Chrome...

Not to bump, but it just searches for ":%". :KS