jr conlin's ink stained banana

Ok, so now that i've had a chance to play with "chrome" (currently, you can too if you like), here's a few impressions:

1. i really don't like the boiler plate terms of use they stapled on. It's got the usual CYA kind of stuff in it but parts don't quite make sense for a browser (e.g. "We can terminate your account and you lose your stuff. Tough." parts as well as "We reserve the right to filter stuff and not show them to you." Does that mean that if my google account gets dropped that i can no longer open a browser window to figure out how to fix it? Does that mean that Google will block Yahoo! News because they're feeling snippy that day? Did i just say "Yeah, sure, go right ahead."?) In any case, i can see i'm not going to be using this as my main browser.
2. It feels zippy on my Dual Core P5 laptop, but then, so does Firefox when you turn off all the extensions.
3. Speaking of which, it's incredibly minimal. Something between a real browser and Prism. There's a combo search/url bar, plus back, forward, refresh, command and "options" (where options are also insanely limited.) "about:config" returns nothing, there's no viewable code anywhere (it's all DLLs), and the "javascript debugger" doesn't seem like it's really that well flushed out. (at least, i can't imagine actually using it to debug code ala firebug).
4. The astute will note "no home button". Guess you restart for that.
5. They also fore-go using standard chrome elements for their own. Big no-no that. Yes, the minimize, maximize and close buttons are roughly in the same spot, but the icon is missing, the title is a right justified "Google" instead of the current page and you'd better like rounded robin's egg blue for windows.
6. Oddly, most of the Mozilla keystrokes are there (^T for new tab, ^N for new window, zoom is ^+ and ^-). Likewise, you click on a star to quickly bookmark the current page. Guess they didn't mind those.

All-in-all, i'm not really impressed. i can't quickly extend or really customize it much. It feels more like riding one of those kiddie car rides where things are on a rail to prevent you from going off track or doing something fun. In it's current flavor, it seems like a step backwards rather than forwards.

(oh, and folks getting excited by resizable text areas need to note that it's a pretty simple Javascript hack to do that.)

A few thoughts for those wishing to also visit the Emerald City for the first time:

1. If you can, pick up a copy of Seattle NFT, but definitely grab a Streetwise Seattle map. Both HIGHLY useful.
2. A Garmin 660 is far less useful within the canyons of Seattle than you think it would be.
3. Bring comfy shoes. You'll be doing a fair bit of walking. The good news is that things are fairly close by downtown. Bad news is that there are hills.
4. Dr. Scholl's gen shoe inserts, while severely over marketed, are actually fairly comfortable and better than the shredded insides of you hiking boots.
5. Pike Place is bigger than you think, and there are actually some good values there. Skip the "firsts" (first starbucks, first Sur La Table, etc.) and hit the real undiscovered joints like Pirosky Piroshky, Rose's Chocolates, and Market Grill. (You'll note that a lot of these are located where they're not trying to aim a mackerel at your head.)
6. Oh yeah, and go to the market early. (as in before 10am)
7. Since you're smart and left the car behind, you're doing this already, but be sure to walk around Belltown. There are tons of places you'll want to check out later, and only a few street crazies. The tourists hang out from pike place market, up pike, to 4th and then south for a few blocks.
8. Beneath the monorail on 5th is Top Pot Donuts. Avoid the chocolate glazed old fashioneds and stick with things like the raised maple bars. (Hey, i walked all over that area, i can have a donut)
9. It's quite possible to have seafood for every major meal.
10. When departing the city and leaving the shuttle guy a tip, remember to grab the right wad of bills. This will ensure that he gets the five ones, and not the three twenties wrapped with a one. Ah well, makes up for the folks that won't tip him that day.