Now you can replace the rendering and javascript engines that IE uses with Chrome Frame, and also get the Webkit developer toolkit at the same time. http://jimray.tumblr.com/post/194793633/mo...le-chrome-frame

"Imagine being able to design with all of the modern tools like HTML 5, CSS 3, SVG, and performant javascript and telling all of your users, even the ones using IE 6, that this can all be theirs if they’ll just install a quick plug-in. "

Is that what it does? Force an ad on IE users?

The Developer's Guide seems to encourage just that:

"If Google Chrome Frame is present, you can insert the required meta tag; if not, you can redirect users to a page that explains how to install Google Chrome Frame.

As an alternative to server-side sniffing, you can use the CFInstall.js script to detect Google Chrome Frame and prompt users to install the plug-in at runtime."

I think suggest would be more appropriate than force.

Why? I don't see how the ad is optional?


I haven't installed anything and I saw a frame with Chrome hype in IE and didn't see it in other browsers.

But my question was serious. Is this the only use you can make of this frame thing? Since you have read up about it, maybe you can enlighten us, jimlongo.

I don't know anything more than i've read, because I've NEVER had the opportunity to use IE.

Maybe there's someone around here who works at Google and knows something.

But did this frame demand that you do something? Or can you not ignore it?
What does it look like? Howsabout a screenshot.

It's an 800*600px JS-generated IFRAME containing http://www.google.com/chromeframe --since it's absolutely positioned, it will cover much of the beginning text.

Don't know if the JS creating the IFRAME comes from Google or the site owner.

It looks like *beep*.

Click to view attachment

Faeces!

So how does a user get that frame out of their way if they don't want to proceed with any installation?

By leaving the site to go to a more worthy one.

I guess we'll see how that plays out. If I were placing bets on this, i'd bet against IE.

No way.

Just wanted to add that I've realized now that the frame we saw has nothing to do with this Chrome Frame thing.

In my understanding the Chrome Frame plugin contains the WebKit rendering engine, and nothing else? Does that mean that it doesn't send personal information to Google the way the Chrome browser does? How then is Google intending to make money from this?

And why doesn't Google target Firefox users? It can't be because Firefox uses a better rendering engine than IE, since all this is hardly about charity or concern over web standards. [Edit: Google may want IE users to be able to use Google's online services, of course.] Or maybe it's because a Google search bar is already installed in Firefox, but that assumes that the Chrome Frame adds a new Google search bar in the IE browser in addition to the new rendering engine.

Seems it's all from Google. You can choose between an iframe or a popup: http://code.google.com/chrome/chromeframe/...l_check_Options

Lovely.

All I know is i'm putting

in all my pages

And what does that do?

It makes my sites render in a compliant browser for those users who desire it. Just giving people what they want.

That was clear as mud. Do you mean it turns on the chrome plugin if it's installed?

Make your pages work with Chrome Frame

Seems the Chrome Frame plugin is only activated on pages with the META tag (otherwise IE uses its own rendering engine).

Edit: didn't see the second page of the thread, nothing new here.

Thanks Christian, just to simplify this for those who don't really want to read the instructions. There are 2 mechanisms.

1. The first is the meta tag which will cause your page to render in Chrome Frame for those viewers that already have the plug-in installed.

2. The second is the js that you could place in your page (there are 2 versions of that) that would cause any user of IE who doesn't have the plug-in installed to be prompted (urged if you will) to install the plug-in.

The first issue I see as a no brainer, if someone wants to use Chrome Frame, I make that possible for them by putting the meta tag on my page. If they don't use it, or don't know about there is no harm to them.

The second issue is more problematic. I think they need to come up with a better and less obtrusive mechanism to prompt the installation.

How will IE8 react to


(or other unknow values) if no Chrome Frame plugin is installed? According to my test IE8 goes into "IE8-mode", which I guess makes sense (though I can't be bothered to find a reference).

It turns out that Google is a big place, and I don't work on anything related to Chrome or Chrome Frame. And even if I knew something, I wouldn't be able to discuss it.

But speaking as a web author (and definitely NOT speaking as a Google employee):

I like the idea of being able to includeto switch MSIE from the Trident rendering engine (which I can't test without a copy of MS Windows) to the WebKit rendering engine (which I can test on Mac/Linux). Sure, those without the Chrome Frame plug-in will be stuck with Trident, but those with the plug-in will be able to use WebKit.

As for prompting the user to download the plug-in, I think it depends on the situation. If your content needs HTML 5 features that MSIE doesn't support without Chrome Frame, then I don't see this as any different from prompting the user to install/enable Flash, or to enable JavaScript, or to enable cookies, or to enable anything else. If your content needs these features, then go ahead and prompt. Or if your content doesn't need these features, then go ahead and offer an informational link, without forcing anyone to download anything.

On the other hand, I don't like "use my preferred browser or else" campaigns, even when they're promoting one of the browsers I happen to use.

Agreed, but from what I've seen there seems to be a case to be made that the prompt is excessively large, obtrusive and ugly. But I wouldn't be able to test that myself.

I think I've asked about 5 questions here. AFAICR I've been more ot less told to google it every time but once. I have answered a few thousand questions. Don't you think I, too, could be entitled to a free ride for once?

Sharing is caring!

hmmm, why would you feel that was directed at you??

FWIW, I don't see any messages that told you to google it. I see only messages that link to Google documentation. Or are you referring to something else?

Yes, not in this thread.



Because I was the one asking the questions. Maybe I took what you said the wrong way.

No problem . . . my response could have been interpreted as a little flippant.

Back on topic, tests at computerworld show a tenfold speed increase when using the chrome frame plug-in in IE8.
OTOH Microsoft declares that chrome frame is a security exploit waiting to happen.

Stay Tuned.

Something else to think about... Google Chrome Frame - accessibility black hole