What’s This All About?

If you keep up to date with Tech news you will know there has been a lot written about the impending release of the “Google Browser” Google Chrome over the last couple of days. Well now the Beta version (another Google everlasting beta? ) has been released to the world and ProReviewer has grabbed a copy to see what it does.

Why Would You Want It?

Google have done some clever pre-release marketing and in particular a comic strip talking about what \Google Chrome offers. It clearly takes on may of the great aspects of other browsers such as Firefox, Opera and Safari as well as making sure it has MS Internet Explorer * well in its sights. The particular aspects that appeal to me are the “sandboxing” of individual tabs (well it seems to be websites) so that if they crash or a script won’t complete it doesn’t crash or freeze the browser. A Task Manager for the browser to display information about the individual tabs and allow their termination. Other aspects related to search and history within the address bar or “Omnibar” reflect what the “opposition” is currently providing.

I have very gone through being slightly disappointed to indifferent to quite excited about Google Chrome over the last hour as I have experimented with its capabilities.I still realize that I am, at present, a “Dyed in the Wool” fan of Firefox 3 Portable and it will take a lot of development and add-ons (will there be any? ) to make me consider Google Chrome as my browser of choice. However, if their is a portable version with the current functionality I would certainly add it to my Portable Apps toolbox.

Screenshot Tour

Rather than follow the normal ProReviewer review template this post will take the form of a (similar) series of screenshots with notes.

Click on any screenshot to enlarge if necessary

Installation

Standard installer progress window

Installer Welcome and Customization:

About

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What’s This All About?

ShowIP is a handy utility that will show you your Local Area Network (LAN) and Internet (WAN or Wide Area Network) IP address. It will also monitor these IP addresses for change and warn you if this occurs.

Why Would You Want It?

Your IP address is used by remote computers and servers to find your computer. There are times when you need to know this information. For instance for remote login applications and setting up games consoles for multi player use over the Internet. Sometimes it is useful to know your Internet IP address to when looking at access by programs and “Web 2” applications. Most IP addresses assigned locally or by your ISP are dynamic and can change, so it may be useful for you to be aware of this.

(Note - Static addresses can be assigned if required. This is relatively easy for LAN addresses but will probably involve additional costs with an ISP for your WAN)

What Does It Do - The Essentials?

Summary:

• Looks up LAN & WAN IP addresses
• Monitors addresses for changes
• Copies addresses to the clipboard
• Allows release/refresh of LAN dynamic addresses
• Logs Information

Pros: What’s Good?

Features & Benefits

• Freeware

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Popularity: 26% [?]

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