WARNING. This is NOT my usual style of writing. I felt the need to "rant" for a minute and this happened to be my outlet. If your not interested in hearing me complain, stop reading now.
I am sitting here, writing this article because Google has again, let me down. They have let me down in the same manner they always let me down. Let me explain...
I am your average Google fan. I carry an Android phone. I love it. I carry an Android tablet. I love it. I drooled over the CR-48 laptops they gave away; never got a chance to even touch one. Still loved it. I've had a Gmail account for so long I cant even remember when I started it. Now I have two Gmail accounts. I have had Google Voice since it was invite only. I blog with Blogger because it's Google. I have a complete Google profile. My resume is on a Google Knol page. All my contacts are stored on Google Contacts. I have 5 Google calendars, plus Google Tasks. I use Catch notes because they let me log in with my Google ID. I LOVE Google + (this is Facebook for people who don't like Facebook. It's simply awesome, you have to try it.). I even have a YouTube profile. I use Google Reader to RSS almost all of my news. If I shorten an URL, its with www.goo.gl.com.
If there is a Google product that fills a need for me, I'll probably pick Google over anything else out there.
I am writing this article using a web browser. Want to guess which browser it is? Yep, Google Chrome.
I made the switch to Chrome within the first year if it's beta release. I never looked back. I still have IE but only because there are some web-pages (mostly government) that just don't like Chrome. (I know, there is an IE app I can get for Chrome. It makes websites think you are using IE). I love Chrome, but sometimes it makes me want to throw up.
I had some extra time this evening and so I sat down next to my wife; tablet in hand, ready to catch up on some light reading. I follow 4 different blogs and bookmark articles I think I'll want to read for later. I know there are other options but for these 4 blogs; this works best for me. This is where my problem begins.
I use my laptop, a spare (smaller) laptop and my tablet. All use Chrome and all are SUPPOSED to sync my bookmarks. With Chrome I should be able to log into any PC anywhere in the world and see my bookmarks just like I am sitting at my desk. Sometimes this happens, sometimes this does not. Tonight, it did not. I 'forced' the bookmarks to sync more than once! I tried three times AND MY BOOKMARKS STILL DID NOT SYNC.
Why Google, why must you torment me this way? I want to be loyal. I want to defend you in geek forums and friendly conversation. So why must you tease me with this broken vessel of an internet browser? Chrome is beautiful. Chrome is fast. Chrome WILL NOT CONSISTENTLY SYNC MY BOOKMARKS. I have uninstalled and re-installed Chrome on all my machines. I have deleted all my bookmarks from Google's servers and started over in an effort to have all my PC's sync; no dice. I have searched internet forums and found only more frustrated followers like myself. This only proves that it's not "me" but a common problem that Google should be aware of.
I understand Google's practice of allowing services to run in "beta" for a very long time. I understand Google is constantly working to improve the services they offer. I understand Google serves billions of people every day and that perhaps Chrome Bookmark Sync is not their highest priority. I also understand this is why Google may never make it as a player in the social media circle they are trying to play in right now.
Google. You can make a beautiful GUI. You can make applications that are lightening fast. You can make corporate statements like "Don't be Evil"; but you still have to pay attention to the little details. Your Chrome browser is in build 12; don't you think it's time to fix the bookmark sync issue? Please?
I still love you Google. I still want to be your loyal fan. I'm afraid that if you don't fix this sync issue soon tho, I may have to switch browsers (IE9 looks pretty nice & I've heard GREAT things about Firefox). I'm afraid that will be the first step to the end of our relationship. After the browser, then maybe I'll take another look at Yahoo mail (they have been cleaning up their GUI). After mail, maybe I'll consider a WinOS for my next mobile phone.
It's been a great run Google, please don't let it end this way.
