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By now I'm sure you've heard about Google Chrome - the web browser that Google launched Tuesday, based on WebKit. The browser caused a lot of stir in the web world, leading to thousands of downloads on PC's and thousands of envious stares on the Mac. It lead to a lot of nay-saying, a lot of posturing, a lot of....reaction.
And it also lead to a lot of questions: Why another browser? What's the point? Do we really need this? Why is it better?
To answer those questions, Google used a variety of media. They posted videos to youTube, both of the features themselves and their developers, posted a short FAQ, but they did something I haven't seen another web company do, ever: they posted a comic book.
At 38 pages the book is a little long, but it's an excellent example of information design. The book's graphics do a great job of visually portraying the concepts discussed, from multi-threading to garbage collection, and do a lot to describe in very simple-yet-detailed terms why they built the browser. The book also describes the project's goals, where Google wants it to go, and the importance of making it open-source.
The book was written by Scott McCloud - a comic book artist who takes his medium very seriously as a form of creative expression and information distribution. Scott's written a lot about the value and importance of comics on his website, and I'd strongly encourage anyone interested in information design to spend some time reading through his thoughts. He's been praised and the inspiration for a huge variety of better-known comic book and cartoon names, including Matt Groening (The Simpson), author Neil Gaiman (Sandman, others), Frank Miller (300, Batman: Year 1, others), Alan Moore (Watchmen) and Jim Lee (everything.)
Yesterday morning I was one of the skeptics, but after reading through Scott's book I'm among the faithful. Or at least I will be as soon as that Mac version comes out.
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So what is the point of this post? That you are waiting for a mac version? I am so curious about your waiting. Post more on your waiting.
Well, first let's talk about the point of your comment...
The point is that the comic is a pretty cool piece of information design, and you should check it out if you haven't already.
I added the part about my interest to show that the comic had been an effective piece of marketing with me - before I read it I didn't really care, but now I'm excited.
Hmmm, it´s so like Google. They are well known for innovations and to break new ground. I haven´t installed it anyway, although one should test it, compare it and than make the decission. At the moment I am just too convinced of FF and too sceptic about google.
I completely agree with your point.
When I downloaded the browser first I was not so excited about using it over firefox. But after reading the comic book the browser has subconsciously become my default browser.
The comic book is gr8. Very indepth, very insightful, very informative.
Is google Chrome innovation or emulation?
http://www.techunits.com/content/2026/is_google_chrome_innovation_or_emulation?