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Apple Archive

Flock, a Web Browser Designed for Bloggers

- 2005.10.31

As many of you know, I've raved about Firefox in the past. Popup blocking, RSS feeds, search from the toolbar - all things Safari has - plus extensions (like AdBlock, which you can set to block those annoying Flash ads) and themes (including one that makes Firefox look like Safari).

That's Firefox, and now there's Flock.

The Flock Menu Bar
The Flock Menu Bar

Flock is based on Firefox. When you open it, you'll notice the familiar toolbar with search and the extensions and themes in the Tools menu, but you'll also notice a few extras. Flock is supposed to be an application for 'Web 2.0', the next-generation of the Internet, bringing the idea that Internet users should be able to modify it.

The Address Field
The Address Field

The first thing you'll notice about Flock is the star button next to the address field. This is Flock's new approach to bookmarks. You visit a page you like, and click on the star. It'll then ask you if you want to sign up for a del.ico.us account. Signing up for one allows you to share your bookmarks with other users on the Internet - it's a great way to share potentially interesting websites, and you only share the ones you want to.

Favorites Manager
Favorites Manager

The favorites manager is great as well - it allows you to view your favorites as well as the RSS feeds for any that might have them (for example, BBC News). You can also tag certain favorites with phrases that might be helpful in finding them (short words like 'cars', 'racing', or 'motorsports').

And, like Firefox, Flock has a history search, which I've found indispensable. They claim that it's better than Firefox's (apparently the pages in your history get indexed for better searching), but I haven't found much of a difference.

Flock's Blog Editor
Flock's Blog Editor

The most publicized feature is the built-in blog editor. It's easily accessible from anywhere - just click the pen icon on the toolbar. If you get a great idea while browsing some obscure site, you no longer have to go back to your blog's editing page or open a separate application to write something. It works with Movable Type/LiveJournal among others.

If you use Flickr (I don't, but this feature might be enough to convince me that I should), you can add your photos on Flickr right into the blog post by dragging and dropping the image. No typing in the complicated URL, no trying to copy and paste links - just drag it right into the text box. Unfortunately it doesn't support Webshots, which is a bit more popular than Flickr currently is.

Then there's the shelf. It's a great idea - it opens up as a window where you can drag URL's, pictures, or clips of text that you want to keep on hand to blog about later.

Flock is a great concept. However, I don't think it has mass-appeal at the moment. It caters to a relatively small - but steadily growing - population of Internet users who've gotten involved in blogging and creating their own sites.

For those who's primary need for the Internet is checking email, ordering books and CDs online, and maybe paying a bill or two, I don't think Flock will offer much more to them than Firefox does.

I plan to continue watching the development of this browser. It combines two things I like - Firefox and blogging - in one package. Unfortunately, it's only in its 'developer preview' stage, but there's a pretty good possibility that I might use it as my main browser once a final release version arrives. LEM

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