Frustrations with Google

[4re Nut]

Inspired by Rob's thread, heck with Google+, I thought I'd share my recent and ongoing frustrations.

First, I've pretty much given my soul (and rights to privacy ) to the big G. I use most of their mainstream products (Gmail, Chrome, Docs/Drive, Reader, Earth, etc) and have an Android phone and tablet (the latter thanks to CM9).

That said, lately I have become increasingly frustrated over the following issues and I don't appear to be alone.

Drive causes explorer to crash

In a nutshell, Google's cloud rains on my parade. It causes both Windows Explorer and Chrome to crash at random times during certain actions, e.g. file search, email attachments.

My workaround is to let Drive sync at start-up then I "quit" the service.

Shockwave Flash Crashes in Google Chrome

This didn't become an issue for me until recently, maybe started with Chrome 19 and is very frequent with Chrome 20.

Chrome for Android

There is no default to set the user agent to desktop and the "request desktop site" setting isn't saved. Acceptable in Beta form, but not now.

Instant Upload inconsistent

Most but not all photos are pushed up to G+ from my phone when taken; I have yet to figure out any pattern as to why.

---

For the last few days I've reverted back to Firefox as my browser of choice. In addition to a cool though conservative Ferrari persona, the BBCodeXtra add-on is great for pretty FChat posts and a similar extension amazingly doesn't seem to exist for Chrome.

That said, I'm still using all of the other products, just via Firefox instead of Chrome.

Frustrated but Google hidebound.

[wingfeather]

Sorry to hear. My Google experience has always been good!

If it's any help, Flash has been causing all browsers to go haywire.

[4re Nut]

Originally Posted by wingfeather

Sorry to hear. My Google experience has always been good!...

Lucky you; are you using a Chromebook?

[Schimpf]

havent had google drive cause a crash on my pc's, spreadsheets, pdfs, word docs.
I use chrome exclusively, except when programs require IE..

[pocketrocket]

Been using chrome for a long time, and it's 10 times faster and better than IE. In the beginning though there were some problems and many websites did not support it..I assume same thing may be going with Drive (and almost any new product).
I didn't use it yet, but you guys made me interested to try it!

[Zack]

I would try disabling your extensions in Chrome and then trying the service. If it is stable, then it's one of the extensions. Enable one at a time and see what causes the crash.

If it still crashes, uninstall chrome from your system. Then download the latest version and reinstall. Also delete and reinstall explorer (wow, do people still use that?).

If it still crashes, there's some system file that is causing the problem. You will have to look at logs to see if you can pinpoint it. Or reinstall the OS.

It seems like a huge pain, but if you are using docs, etc. to the extent you are, you deserve a stable, reliable experience. Try to reinstall chrome and if that does not work, make a list of all your installed software, then go through the pain over a weekend.

Or use another computer, transfer your files over, then slowly rebuild this one.

[wingfeather]

Originally Posted by 4re Nut

Lucky you; are you using a Chromebook?

I don't even know what that is. And I don't think it's luck, as I haven't heard of anyone else I know having problems with Google stuff... then again, nobody I know uses the Chrome browser.

[Jedi]

Originally Posted by wingfeather

Flash has been causing all browsers to go haywire.

Especially in P&R

Jedi

[Zack]

EVERYBODY I know uses chrome, except when they go to the few websites that don't work well with it.

Chrome is the best browser in my opinion, unless you love all that greasemonkey script stuff. Even there, it's not too far behind FF.

A chromebook is a thin laptop put out by Google that use the Chrome OS. It does not really have a file structure...you do everything on the web. Obviously you are hosed without a web connection. Still, it works well for a first attempt. Virgin America terminals at some airports have kiosks where you can grab one to work with for your whole flight. You put down a credit card number for a security deposit, and you get it back when you turn your chromebook in at the end of the flight. Don't know if this program is still going on--it's been a while since I flew Virgin America.

[Caplax40]

Chromebook owner here (CR-48). Nice, but damn that thing is slow.

[SPEEDCORE]

install a new version of cm9?

[4re Nut]

Originally Posted by Schimpf

havent had google drive cause a crash on my pc's, spreadsheets, pdfs, word docs.
I use chrome exclusively, except when programs require IE..

Good to hear someone is trouble-free...you are the one we often hear about...I thought it was urban legend!

May I ask what are the specs of your computer and what extensions do you have enabled?

It seems machines running Windows XP w/Service Pack 3 (like mine) seem to be having the most trouble.

Originally Posted by Zack

I would try disabling your extensions in Chrome and then trying the service. If it is stable, then it's one of the extensions. Enable one at a time and see what causes the crash.

If it still crashes, uninstall chrome from your system. Then download the latest version and reinstall. Also delete and reinstall explorer (wow, do people still use that?).

If it still crashes, there's some system file that is causing the problem. You will have to look at logs to see if you can pinpoint it. Or reinstall the OS.

It seems like a huge pain, but if you are using docs, etc. to the extent you are, you deserve a stable, reliable experience. Try to reinstall chrome and if that does not work, make a list of all your installed software, then go through the pain over a weekend.

Or use another computer, transfer your files over, then slowly rebuild this one.

Thanks for the thoughts but I'm not going to that depth.

I'm stuck with my previous mentioned work around of letting Drive sync on start-up then "quitting" the application. My current day's work is not sync'd until the next day but that is not an issue for me plus I can manually upload or restart the app if there is something I want sync'd immediately. Frustrating "solution" but effective for now.

Originally Posted by SPEEDCORE

install a new version of cm9?

I'm an update junkie and install the "nightly" update every couple days.

However, none of the "frustrations" I mention are CM9 based; they are issues with Google's apps.

Originally Posted by Jedi

Especially in P&R

Jedi

LOL.

[4re Nut]

http://www.theverge.com/2012/7/24/31...urity-blackhat

Cybersecurity firm Trustwave claims to have identified a flaw in Google Play's security filter that allows a verified app to be updated with malicious code, according to CNET. The problem lies with Google Bouncer, the automated system that inspects newly submitted apps for incriminating code or functionality. Trustwave submitted a contact blocking app called SMS Blocker to Google for verification and, because it was legitimate and fully functional at the time, Bouncer let it through. However, using its special cloaking technique, Trustwave was able to update SMS Blocker 11 times with code that enabled it to peek at user photos, contacts, phone records, and even launch malicious websites.

While Android malware has appeared in the past, most have required some kind of user interaction. Trustwave's technique needed only to be installed with its legitimate base and then updated with the cloaked malicious payload, resulting in almost full control of the device. Trustwave's researchers are presenting their technique tomorrow at the Black Hat security conference, and we're sure that Google will be listening very intently.

Hopefully won't led to more "frustrations" for me. Speaking of which, here is another one...

Originally Posted by 4re Nut

Not iPad related but for some reason Google Music merges Lenny Kravitz and Tim McGraw into one "greatest hits" album labeled as Lenny's.

I've deleted and re-uploaded and changed file names but no luck. I have about 15 albums uploaded and these are the only two this happens to.

Ugh.

[Schimpf]

Originally Posted by 4re Nut

Good to hear someone is trouble-free...you are the one we often hear about...I thought it was urban legend!

May I ask what are the specs of your computer and what extensions do you have enabled?

It seems machines running Windows XP w/Service Pack 3 (like mine) seem to be having the most trouble.

The OS & extensions seem to be the main dictators.

laptop run W7 Home 64 & is a 1st gen i5, HP dm4 1060us I think.
desktop runs W7 ultimate 64 & is a build with the 1st gen i7, AMD 4850 GPU

extensions I use are: lastpass, (google?) dictionary, tab cloud, xmarks, flash blocker

[4re Nut]

Originally Posted by Schimpf

The OS & extensions seem to be the main dictators.

laptop run W7 Home 64 & is a 1st gen i5, HP dm4 1060us I think.
desktop runs W7 ultimate 64 & is a build with the 1st gen i7, AMD 4850 GPU

extensions I use are: lastpass, (google?) dictionary, tab cloud, xmarks, flash blocker

Yep, time for me to upgrade!

Thanks for the extensions list. I might try those myself though it seems Chrome will do the tab cloud and xmarks features w/o the extensions, i.e. signing in & sync chrome will accomplish the same I believe. Or am I wrong? Won't be the first time.

[Schimpf]

I think that's right. It has been too long since I have used Chrome sync.
Maybe I'll try it again sometime. Usually when I am forced to change for any reason is when i do