The Browser Wars: Include Opera

With the launch of Chrome, there is renewed interest in the browser wars. An example is an article in PC World:

link: Browser Battle: Firefox 3.1 vs. Chrome vs. IE 8

Why is Opera not included? - It seems that Opera has become the ‘forgotten’ browser. And that is truly unfair. Opera has a loyal following (myself among them). And there was a time when Opera users liked the browser so much that we even paid to support it.

Opera is still that fastest browser for both my laptop and my desktop. It does not receive the media exposure as these aforementioned browsers. It’s just efficient and works well - and should be mentioned in these browser war articles as a viable option.

Catherine Forsythe

Google Amends Chrome Licence

When Chrome was released initially, there were those who read the terms of service. It appeared to give Google perpetual rights to content. Google has explained the problem with the initial licence:

“…Rebecca Ward, senior product counsel for Google Chrome, said the problem arose because Google re-uses swathes of its Universal Terms of Service across all its offerings “in order to keep things simple for our users”.

“Sometimes, as in the case of Google Chrome, this means that the legal terms for a specific product may include terms that don’t apply well to the use of that product,” she said.”

link: Google tweaks Chrome licence text

It seems that the original creator of the work retains “copyright and any other rights“. What has been initially impressive is that Google has been responsive to concerns. Google seems to address issues without the usual corporate defensiveness. An explanation is given and corrective action taken. It is what one would hope from a business. That it actually happens is surprising.

Catherine Forsythe

Google Patches Chrome

Since Google’s Chrome is beta, it was expected to have some flaws. The release of this beta browser was a field test by millions of users. What the security community was watching was Google responsiveness to vulnerability issues and it seems that Google has not disappointed:

“A Vietnamese security company has found a critical vulnerability in Google’s new browser Chrome, but Google has already released patch for that problem and at least one more.

The vulnerability is one of several problems identified in the browser since it was released early last week. The bug is a buffer overflow that occurs if a user saves a Web page containing an overly long “title” tag, according to Bach Koa Internetwork Security (Bkis), based at the Hanoi Institute of Technology.”

link: Critical Vulnerability Patched in Google’s Chrome

It seems that the security issues are addressed immediately. For Chrome users, a patch is available now.

Catherine Forsythe

Google’s Sense of Humour in Chrome

Chrome includes a bit of Google humour. If you are using Chrome with Windows XP, type “about internets” (without the quotes) into the address bar. You will be see Senator Ted Stevens’ concept of the internet.

Kudos to whoever was the Google pundit.

Catherine

Security Flaws With Chrome

Another security flaw with Chrome has been reported. Thomas Claburn noted:

“…Vietnamese security company Bach Khoa Internet Security (BKIS) has found a flaw in Google Chrome 0.2.149.27 and posted details on its Web site. The company says the problem is a critical buffer-overflow vulnerability that could allow a hacker to perform a remote attack and take complete control of the affected system.”

link: Another Google Chrome Security Flaw Identified

That Google’s Chrome has security issues is not surprising. Google has been careful to identify this release as a ‘beta’. As such, it is being field tested by millions of users. What the security community is watching is how Google responds to the flaws and glitches. With this new product, attitude and responsiveness will count.

Catherine Forsythe

Chrome and Terms of Service

Chrome went ‘live’ here. It is interesting to look at the terms of service that Google is setting. Here is an example:

“…”By submitting, posting or displaying the content you give Google a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to reproduce, adapt, modify, translate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute any content which you submit, post or display on or through, the services. This license is for the sole purpose of enabling Google to display, distribute and promote the services and may be revoked for certain services as defined in the additional terms of those services.”

It seems that this is not an infringement of copyright. It appears that the original creator of the work retains copyright. However, it does seem to extend Creative Commons license and gives Google perpetual rights.

Undoubtedly, Google has had its legal department carefully scrutinizing the terms of service. It is interesting reading to see how Google is self protective and crafts its terms of service. The terms of service is one section that most users will by-pass in order to access Chrome itself. However, it is interesting to see Google prepare. Google has been thorough and gives hints to what Chrome may have in store vis-a-vis advertising and generating revenue.

Catherine Forsythe

Mozilla Reacts to Google’s Chrome

Mozilla will be one of the most interested observers of Google’s Chrome browser. The relationship that Mozilla and its Firefox browser have with Google is a major income source:

“… In return for setting Google as the default search engine on Firefox, Google pays Mozilla a substantial sum - in 2006 the total amounted to around $57 million, or 85% of the company’s total revenue. The deal was originally going to expire in 2006, but was later extended to 2008 and will now run through 2011.”

link: Mozilla Extends Lucrative Deal With Google For 3 Years

On the surface, Mozilla Corporation is welcoming the competition. However, the launch of the Chrome browser is fuelling speculation that Mozilla and its Firefox browser are now prime candidates for take over bids. The browser wars continue, with Mozilla closely watching its revenue stream.

Catherine Forsythe

Google Introduces an Open Source Browser Project: Chrome

Google has become part of the browser wars. It is developing Google Chrome:

“Word surfaced Monday on Google Blogoscoped about a Web “comic book” that introduces Google Chrome, the search giant’s open-source browser project. The comic was created by Scott McCloud, and although not officially announced by Google, it does name several Google developers…”

link: Google ’starting from scratch’ with own browser, Chrome

With Google’s entry into this sector, it is bound to push innovation. Google will apply considerable resources to this, as the advertising gains would be enormous. At the moment, Firefox, for example, profits from Google advertising revenue.

And, undoubtedly, many are hoping that Google can present a browser that is a bit kinder on the computer resources.

Catherine Forsythe