Do you use Google Chrome?

To celebrate Chrome's fourth-anniversary -- well, in beta -- we're asking readers if and why they use Google's browser. The search and information giant released the first public test build, for Windows, on Sept. 1, 2008, with the one-oh release following just three months later. For a company renown for perpetual betas (wasn't it five years for Gmail), the rapid push to release build was uncharacteristic -- and foreshadowing. As Martin Brinkmann explains, Google set a rapid-release cycle -- new versions about every six weeks -- that transformed web browser development.

Yesterday, Tim Conneally told his personal story about using Chrome, starting from the beta. I would like to hear your story, too. You can comment to this post, or, better, email me -- joe at betanews.com. I'd like more than a comment, but your story to which we can put your byline, bio and photo.

The majority of respondents to a recent BetaNews poll use Chrome as their primary browser, while StatCounter puts global usage share ahead of Internet Explorer.

As I write, 2,017 people responded to the poll: "Which is your preferred primary web browser, meaning when you can choose it?" As the question further states: "For personal computer, not phone or other device". Among respondents, 43.58 answered Chrome. Firefox follows (31.18 percent) and then Internet Explorer (16.26 percent). I've re-embedded the poll so that those of you haven't responded can.

StatCounter tells a startling story. Take a close look at the chart embedded top. Internet Explorer global usage share was 67.16 percent when Chrome beta debuted. Four years later: 31.09 percent, less than Chrome (34.99 percent).

But as Microsoft ramps IE 10 alongside Windows 8, the browser wars are conceptually set to start a new frontline. IE will be the only default-browser option on Windows RT, for example.

However, what Microsoft can't match -- or won't because of close operating system ties and version-change, risk-adverse business customers -- is the rapid pace of Chrome development. In the three years since Microsoft shipped Windows 7, Google released 18 Chrome versions. Microsoft technically has released none, since IE10 isn't quite official yet.

Chrome Reasons

IE10 isn't on my radar, not unless I end up using a Windows RT tablet (a definite possibility) later this year. I use Chrome as my primary browser, and for lots of reasons. Among them:

• Google services integration is amazing
• User interface is clean and uncluttered while feature-filled
• Chrome Web Store provides apps that are steps above typical plugins
• Rapid-release cycle generally improves the browser about every few weeks
• Chrome rarely crashes but when it does data restores so that no work is lost
• Synchronization is exceptional -- more than bookmarks and passwords, open tabs across devices
• Cross-platform: I can use Chrome on Google TV, PC, smartphone or tablet, with comparable user experience

Not surprisingly, Google sees the fourth anniversary as marketing opportunity, posting a Chrome Time Machine for anyone wanting to see (or relive) development from beta to v21 stable release.

Now let's look at you. Responding to Tim's story, Greg Miernicki says he "switched to Chrome when it debuted and never went back". DarkUFO: "Yep, same story here".

Munim "moved from Firefox to Chrome a couple of years ago, and I have also been very happy with it. But of late, especially in the Linux versions of Google Chrome, I have been seeing a lot of instability. Lots of freezes and CPU spikes. I am wondering if I should go back to Firefox".

Others aren't wondering, they're switching. "I originally used IE until about 2005 (I think) when I learned about Firefox", Joel Meaders comments. "I used it until I learned about Chrome. Just two days ago I got fed up with Chrome freezing way too often on a design/photography machine. I changed my default browser to IE9 and used it for the first time. I am impressed at how far Microsoft has come, and it was even faster than Chrome".

Hector Macias Ayala: "Four years without it, and not planning to start anytime soon".

What about you? Do you use Chrome?