03 Jun 08 Why did Google name their Browser "Chrome"?

If you are wondering why Google named their browser, “Chrome”, here’s my opinion.

First Hint

At the first sight of Google “Chrome”, I thought it was basically a modified version of Firefox, based on the same open-source Gecko engine used by Firefox.

Another Hint

Another hint was that the default GUI theme is called, “Chrome” for Firefox.  (As a Firefox extension developer who have developed the SiteHoppin Toolbar for Firefox, I can contest that Chrome has always been a widely used term for Firefox programmers.)

Proof

If you don’t believe me, take a look at this directory (H:\Documents and Settings\max\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\xdorv70b.default) in your Windows system file where you should rename “max” to your Windows user name and xdorv70b.default would be something-similar.default.

If you open up extensions directory from there and open up any of the directories inside it, (each folder is a Firefox extension) you will probably notice that almost every Firefox extension uses a file called, chrome.manifest.  (Yes, even file names with “Chrome” in Firefox)

To sum it up, I am not saying Google Chrome was taken from Firefox but only that “Chrome” has always been widely known among the Firefox Development crowd.

Coincidence or not, you be the judge. Tags:application data, coincidence, crowd, documents and settings, firefox extension, gecko, google, Google Chrome Hacks, modified version, open source, profiles, programmers, windows system, windows user