DeskBrowse - 1.0b3

I don't agree with a bunch of people that have posted about this application. I think it IS a very big difference in how people will browse the internet–and I think that is good.

These guys had a really good idea. Do I think they should be charging anything for it at this point? No, but that doesn't mean it is/will be a bad product. I find that this program is actually at Alfa stage and nowhere near a beta. That aside, I can see where this project is going and I think it is fantastic. I certainly wouldn't pay for a browser (i.e. the attemp with that and OmniWeb) but I think that for a browser with a smaller footprint, this will be fine, in a couple of years.

I remember saying exactly the same thing about Camino, at that time–Chimera, and look what happened with that browser! I think these guys are on the right track. Keep it up, guys, and you will have something to be proud of.

My ratings are based on the usability of the product at this stage. I will reevaluate when there is another version upgrade.

Oh man, some of you people are such CHUMPS! Why on Earth would anyone PAY for any web browser, no less one that is a beta offered by an unknown developer with only his word as proof that he will follow through with development? And then after you realize you've been had, you actually admit this on a public website? As if some of you are actually proud of your ability to remain oblivious to even the most transparent of scams?

And oh what a scam DeskBrowse is. It's attempt at originality is to pin the browser window against the side of the screen. That's right, it's stuck against the edge where you are permitted to drag it up and down, or resize it. The URL field and navigation controls are rebelliously put on the BOTTOM of the window, with some bookmarks at the top. DeskBrowse attempts to be cutting edge GUI, but all it succeeds at is demonstrating why every other browser on Earth has navigation controls at the top of the window - it's where they belong for a culture that reads left to right, top to bottom.

DeskBrowse boasts of being "lightweight". Given OS X's masterful multitasking and resource management, I didn't know there was any demand for a lightweight browser, but I figured, what the heck, I'll compare it to Safari (because Safari is notoriously bloated and ponderous, or something). I opened each browser and loaded apple.com. The verdict? Real memory usage: 41 MB for Safari, 21 MB for Deskbrowse. VM usage: 128 MB Safari, 125 MB Deskbrowse. With only a slightly larger memory footprint, Safari rendered Apple.com gloriously, in a window that could be moved, resized, and minimized. Viewing apple.com in Deskbrowse was like looking through the bars of a cage.

This was a bit long, but I figure I'd review it to save other Mac users the time of downloading such turdware. Unless you're looking for a good laugh, avoid DeskBrowse at all costs.