I started to post an entry about IBM’s recent announcement regarding their LotusLive cloud computing software. But i quickly found myself hacking out an explanation on cloud computing. Then, i realized we’ll probably need to start with a quick break-down of the Software as a Service concept.
So, here goes… Software as a Service, put very simply, is the use of a website to perform functions that normally would be installed on your computer as a software application. The most commonly used example is web-based email. Most office workers use email through software programs like Outlook (or Eudora, or Lotus, etc.).
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Let me state my bias front and center: we web developers need another web browser like a hole in the head. Cross platform/browser compatibility issues are what’s making flash sites all the rage for frustrated control freaks designers these days, throwing a third major browser into the mix is sure to make our heads explode. With that sentiment in my heart I watched the release of Google’s new web browser “Chrome” with great interest. If you read the 38 page comic book Google released, Chrome boasts faster performance, a simpler interface and a far more efficient JavaScript engine.
Early benchmarks indicated that Chrome was indeed faster, but as time went on (by “time” I mean just 48 hours) and the browser was put through some more real world testing, it began running into a few problems (note: link requires free registration). Namely, browser crashing, SSL Certificate failure (thats a doozy), and even causing laptops to spontaneously go into hibernation mode (non-invasive app indeed).
So okay, its their first version and bugs are bound to occur. They’ve already released a patch and after all, the technology they’re using seems to be pretty innovative. Some of the benchmark studies are pretty unfavorable, but then some show its javascript capability to be phenomenal. But the problem is, what does that matter at this point?
Think of it this way, there are basically two types of people on the internet. Savvy and non-savvy. I don’t mean that in an elitist kind of way, my own father, he’s pretty non-savvy but he browses the internet and participates in forums about fishing. For all intents and purposes, a legitimate internet user. So folks like myself saw these bugs the first few days and said “Meh, I’ll pass.” and folks like my father said “A Google what now? Huh?” And even if you’re an anti-Microsoft type of savvy user you still have your beloved Netscape Firefox. Or even Mozilla, Opera or Safari (and for you old school hardcore Linux folks, Lynx).
So kind of like this.
Sure enough, according to the author of the commentary I linked above’s research, Chrome has so far peaked at just over 1 percent browser share followed by a plummet of 30% of its users. Only time will tell if Chrome becomes a viable alternative for the average user.
