For the first time, I’ve found a web browser that makes Web 2.0 apps feel like desktop ones. And, that browser is Safari 4.

Safari 4 may lack all those community plugins, a point for which Safari is constantly critisized. But, that’s because people take Safari for granted.

That’s right. People take for granted that each new release of Safari will one-up the competition on launch speed, page rendering, and JavaScript. People take for granted that it will adopt the latest technologies. And, people take for granted that it will pick from the competition (like, Chrome) when the other guys come up with something better.

And, those that don’t think Safari is extensible, haven’t looked very far. From drop-and-compile WebKit browsers, to extension-level integration (Google Gears, anyone?), Safari 4 hasn’t changed, and I’m glad. From the kids who complain about their Internet Explorer being overloaded with malware, to the nerds who complain that 52 extensions make Firefox crash… Safari rises above all that.

Well, I won’t go with the flow on this. Safari 4 sets a new standard that makes Internet Explorer 8 really wish it hadn’t just gone RTM. Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox are great browsers. But, Safari is better, again. And, the browser wars will roll into their 97th generation, starting… now.

Sorry I’ve been absent from blogging for a week… I’ve been finalizing plans to move to Silicon Valley. That move will begin (and finish) mid-March.