Chrome 15 puts IE8 in rear-view mirror, takes No. 1 spot

[A Guy]

First time in years that a non-Microsoft browser has been top dog

Google's Chrome 15 has jumped into the number one spot, replacing Microsoft's Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) as the world's most popular browser edition.

Ireland-based StatCounter announced the passing of the baton today, citing data from the last three weeks that put Chrome 15 ahead of IE8 starting the week of Nov. 21.

It was the first time that IE8 had not held the top spot since early 2010, when it replaced IE7 as the most-widely-used browser, and the first time a non-Microsoft application has led the list in StatCounter's tracking.

During the last two weeks of November and the first week of December, Chrome 15 accounted for 24% of the global browser usage market, compared to IE8's 22.9%. Mozilla's Firefox 8, meanwhile, held a 14% share during that period to take third place, and IE9, Microsoft's newest version, had the fourth position with 10.4%.

https://www.computerworld.com/s/art...puts_IE8_in_rear_view_mirror_takes_No._1_spot

A Guy

 

[Gornot]

I recently discovered that a massive number of non savvy PC users don't use IE8 at all because they're given bad advice or have simply heard the worst stories about it, and instead download Chrome while STILL having no idea that there are tons of other browsers out there, so this doesn't really surprise me. Still, of course, this doesn't mean that Chrome is anywhere near the best browser choice anymore, subjectively or not.

Personally, last time I used it (around v12 maybe), it was slower than IE8 and taking more RAM than Firefox after installing all the extensions to make it anywhere near useful to me.

 

[z3r010]

Now I looked at the story and thought that's rubbish........the last time I checked my real world stats chrome accounted for about 15%, I've just checked the browser usage for all our sites and it's pretty much neck and neck for all the browsers IE 31%, FF 32% and Chrome 28%

I guest I'm going to have to start taking it seriously as a browser when I'm checking my sites.

 

[Phone Man]

All three of them have multiple versions still out there as a lot of people don't upgrade to the latest versions.

Overall, IE retained its aggregate lead over Chrome, with Microsoft owning 39.5% of the market those three weeks compared to Google's 26.5% and Mozilla's 25.3%.

On my system FF is 95% and IE9 is 5% and Chrome is not allowed on my systems as they are scumbags.

Jim

 

[CreepinJesus]

I recently discovered that a massive number of non savvy PC users don't use IE8 at all because they're given bad advice or have simply heard the worst stories about it, and instead download Chrome while STILL having no idea that there are tons of other browsers out there...

That was always the case with Firefox, too - all I ever heard was "oh, just download Firefox!"

The problem with Chrome, for non-savvy users, is that it installs into AppData, where admin access is not required to modify files, leaving Chrome very vulnerable. Plus it has almost no anti-phising features, something that's essentials for non-savvy users.

Sure, it's fast, but so is every other browser. They're all "faster and more secure," ...but, "than what?"

 

[dustymars]

Is it me or them Chrome guys; my mouse wheel is inop, except to use right click with wheel, and that sucks.

 

[Gornot]

Chrome is not allowed on my systems as they are scumbags.
Jim

Jim, please PM me your street address, I want to send you the best Serbian bottle of beer for Christmas

 

[lehnerus2000]

I recently discovered that a massive number of non savvy PC users don't use IE8 at all because they're given bad advice or have simply heard the worst stories about it, and instead download Chrome while STILL having no idea that there are tons of other browsers out there, so this doesn't really surprise me.

Don't forget that it is "forced" on the unsuspecting user, when they install other freeware programs.

 

[seavixen32]

I recently discovered that a massive number of non savvy PC users don't use IE8 at all because they're given bad advice or have simply heard the worst stories about it, and instead download Chrome while STILL having no idea that there are tons of other browsers out there, so this doesn't really surprise me.

Don't forget that it is "forced" on the unsuspecting user, when they install other freeware programs.

True, but the user should have an option not to install it if they choose a custom install rather than an express one.

 

[seavixen32]

Chrome is not allowed on my systems as they are scumbags.
Jim

Jim, please PM me your street address, I want to send you the best Serbian bottle of beer for Christmas

Gornot, would you like my home address too? I'm very partial to free beer!!

I'm also very partial to IE9 as I don't like Google's intrusiveness.

 

[G1LLY]

Been using Chrome since beta, very nice to read it's moving up in usage quickly, one of the main reasons for me not switching to any other browser is Google Chrome Sync, it's too handy a feature to lose.

Chrome's got a lot of features already in that other browsers need add-ons for.

It's my no. 1 browser

I did use Firefox before it came along but after version 4, I left it completely.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Dodgy, unethical installers

I recently discovered that a massive number of non savvy PC users don't use IE8 at all because they're given bad advice or have simply heard the worst stories about it, and instead download Chrome while STILL having no idea that there are tons of other browsers out there, so this doesn't really surprise me.

Don't forget that it is "forced" on the unsuspecting user, when they install other freeware programs.

True, but the user should have an option not to install it if they choose a custom install rather than an express one.

There are a couple of problems with that though.

Inexperienced users:

• Are probably too scared to click on the "Advanced" button.
• Assume that they need to install everything, to get the program that they actually wanted.

These dodgy, unethical installers prey on user ignorance.

 

[Gornot]

Completely agree, especially when it comes to Google products. All other third-party software that come with the installer at least have a Decline/Skip button or a clearly visible checkbox right near the "shortcuts" option checkboxes. Google puts their checkboxes right in the middle of text explaining how "awesome" their products are (if you find an installer offering the Google toolbar, you'll get the picture [too lazy to hunt screenies]) which makes it kinda difficult to see if all you wanna do is just install the app right away (this especially applies to inexperienced users who, in fact, hate the very thought of the installing process)

Chrome is not allowed on my systems as they are scumbags.
Jim

Jim, please PM me your street address, I want to send you the best Serbian bottle of beer for Christmas

Gornot, would you like my home address too? I'm very partial to free beer!!

I'm also very partial to IE9 as I don't like Google's intrusiveness.

Anything for a beer lover, Andrew he he

 

[Wisheezy]

Hmmm. What browser are you guys using? Opera and IE then I presume? I'm still on FireFox purely for a few add-ons I use often and don't want to lose for now..but I'd happily change.