A question about Chrome

[Patti (baconater)]

Is it worthwhile to 'sign into Chrome' as I'm constantly being asked?

I suppose I can see the benefits of being able to access bookmarks n such across all devices but it seems to me that doing so would allow google to track my usage even more personally than it does already.

What are the pros and cons, please?

[Rosemary (grooving with the Picts)]

I haven't done it because I don't trust 'em.

[Jay-me (Janet)]

I have no idea what it does, but without signing in I can still do whatever I want - so there is no benefit for me in signing in.

[Elle]

I use sign in since I have a gmail account, I rely on google calendar and I sign into a lot of my sites using my google account. The biggest benefit by far for me is when I got a new pc and when I log onto any pc/laptop that has it I simply sign in and every single add on, bookmark and all my details come with me. Its really easy to sign out and remove the data once you are done but since I use chrome for every bit of Internet activity it's like having my own pc with me at all times!

[Andy]

As Elle said the main benefit is that you can cross pollinate your settings between different devices. This was handy when using my iPad and PC, I didn't have to set up separate bookmarks.

However, I'm with Rosemary on the not trusting Google business, not from an NSA/PRISM point of view (every tech company has been forced to do that, including Apple, MS and Yahoo!). My issue with Google is their rather unpleasant policy of scanning your emails, favourites etc and selling your info to advertisers. This is why I longer bother to sign into Chrome.

Chrome remains my browser of choice though. It's quicker than Internet Explorer, requires less add ons as Firefox, and is much less crap than Safari.

[Kath]

I use it but I don't sign in - again, mistrust is my middle name. it does all I want without signing in.

[Elle]

I take on the opinion that I've nothing to hide and I'd rather they scan emails and find child abusers and other criminals than worry about them knowing what I say to my aunt Delilah via email. I'm in the minority I'm sure though.

[Andy]

I've nothing to hide either, I just find the idea that Google is profiteering from my personal data a little uncomfortable. In Google's defence they are very open and honest about this practice (its in their terms of use) so I'm not suggesting they're doing anything underhand or dishonest, I just don't like the idea of it.

[Tim]

Other than the fact they could probably figure out the plot of my next two novels from the stuff I google, I don't really care what they want to snoop on. I run ad blockers, tracker blockers and stuff. I get more pee'd off at news web sites that force you to sit through a 30 second ad just to see a 20 second video clip.

The volume of data is such that they're unlikely ever to bother reading 99.999% of it anyhow, so my secret life as Elle's aunt Delilah is quite safe! ;)

[Jim]

I don't sign in. So far I don't seem to have missed out on anything but then I only connect to the web with one device

[Elle]

Hahaha, Tim!


I connect on several different devices and use library computers/laptops - they have chrome installed so within seconds I have everything I need (with cool Superman skin to go with it)

[Patti (baconater)]

Oh my gawd Elle has peeled Superman.

[Elle]

hahahahahahahhaha! *chokes on water*

[Bill]

lol!!

I don't use chrome much on my PC but I've signed in with on my phone (I did the same with Firefox).

I find it handy if I find a link or a site while out and about that i really want to read but find it annoying on the phones screen I can bookmark it on my phone and later look it up on my PC when I get home.

[Elle]

i find it really useful for doing research for essays. before it meant copying and pasting links so i could follow stuff up but now all it does is sync up.

[Patti (baconater)]

Seems it depends on what you want from it.

As I said, I can see the benefits.

Don't think it's anything I need tho.