Why I Transitioned from Google Chrome to Sidekick Browser
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Chapter 1: The Challenge of Google Chrome
Are you frustrated with Google Chrome consuming all your computer's memory and making your fan sound like a jet engine? Do you find yourself overwhelmed by the multitude of open tabs, fearing you'll lose important websites crucial for your ongoing tasks? If so, I might have found the answer to your problems.
Once upon a time, during the second browser war, I had already transitioned from the outdated Internet Explorer to Mozilla Firefox. My first experience with Google Chrome was around 2012, and I quickly became enamored with its superior performance and sleek, minimalistic design. It eliminated the need for a separate search field, allowing users to input queries directly into the address bar. It also provided more tab space than Internet Explorer. Although some of these preferences were subjective, they kept me loyal to Chrome for nearly a decade.
Section 1.1: The Limitations of Chrome
Despite my admiration for Chrome, I ultimately discovered that its efficiency came with a heavy toll. Chrome’s architecture initiates a new process for each site opened in a new tab, which, combined with my extensive browsing habits, often led to excessive memory usage. Even with 16GB of RAM, I frequently encountered performance issues due to memory paging.
Video Description: This video reviews the Sidekick browser, highlighting its productivity features and advantages over Chrome, especially for heavy users.
Section 1.2: The Great Suspender Solution
I soon discovered a powerful solution: tab suspending. Since we rarely utilize all open tabs simultaneously, browser extensions could suspend inactive tabs. After experimenting with various Chrome extensions, I settled on "The Great Suspender." For years, this extension worked well until I learned from a friend about a concerning issue regarding its sale to unknown parties, leading to potential security risks. This prompted me to uninstall it and return to the high memory usage I had faced previously.
Chapter 2: A New Hope with Sidekick
While searching for a new solution, I stumbled upon the Sidekick browser, which seemed to already incorporate tab suspending features. Although I was reluctant to switch browsers, I decided it was worth trying.
Video Description: This video discusses the best web browsers to enhance productivity, focusing on alternatives to Chrome that can improve your workflow.
Section 2.1: Initial Impressions
After installing the Sidekick browser, I was immediately impressed by its "apps" bar. It seamlessly imported my Chrome bookmarks and extensions. The only minor hiccup was the configuration of the Keepassxc extension, which I quickly resolved.
Sidekick offers a range of features such as an integrated ad blocker and a fingerprint defense system to protect user privacy.
Section 2.2: Enhanced Features
Moreover, Sidekick promised to never sell user data, which made me feel more secure in my choice. I was surprised that this browser not only addressed my previous issues but also introduced solutions I never thought possible. For instance, it effectively manages the tab clutter that comes with extensive research.
The browser's dashboard is user-friendly and offers quick access to search functionalities, reminiscent of Spotlight search in macOS. You can also use keyboard shortcuts to quickly access files, apps, bookmarks, and preferences.
Section 2.3: Tab Management and Sessions
With Sidekick, I found a more intuitive way to manage tabs. I could add frequently used apps to the sidebar and access them without cluttering my tab bar. Each app in the sidebar maintains its own searchable history, making it easier to find what I need.
Additionally, Sidekick features a session management tool that allows users to group tabs together, reducing overall clutter and improving organization. This was a game changer for my workflow, as I could easily close or restore groups of tabs with a single click.
Last Thoughts
Although the numerous features of Sidekick may seem overwhelming at first, I found the experience to be delightful. It felt as though every detail had been meticulously considered. I sincerely hope that Sidekick resolves the issues faced by others, just as it did for me. I welcome any thoughts or questions, and if you enjoyed this post, please consider following my work. Thank you for reading!
About the Author
Remo Höppli is the Co-Founder and Software Engineer at Earlybyte, an IT consultancy firm dedicated to developing innovative digital solutions for companies worldwide. Follow me on Twitter for updates on new blog posts.