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

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 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

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

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.

Link: Flock
Link: Firefox

Join us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.

Recent Apple Archive articles

iPods, notebooks, and other modern electronics more readily replaced than repaired, 2007.12.07. Whether it's an intermittent failure or a broken display cable, more often than not it's cheaper to replace a broken electronics device than repair it.
Options for replacing your older iPod, 2007.11.19. Whether you've run out of space on your old iPod or want features it doesn't have, here are your options in new and used iPods.
Could the $200 'green' PC with gOS Linux become a threat to Apple?, 2007.11.14. The low cost, low power Everex desktop comes with a customized version of Ubuntu Linux, has a Mac-like Dock, and sells for $400 less than the Mac mini.
More in the Apple Archive index.

Links for the Day

Mac of the Day: Mac IIfx, introduced 1990.03.19. This 'wicked fast' 40 MHz Mac trumped the 33 MHz DOS world.
February 14 in LEM history: 98: A perfect compact Mac - 00: Extended computer warranties worth the cost? - Making your PC work with your Mac - 01: Customize Microsoft Word - 02: Quadra revives a passion for computing - 03: Real world performance - DIY Pismo screen replacement - Best Mac for writing - 03: Fastest browser on the Mac - 06: 15" MacBook Pro - Impressions of a newly acquired Lisa - Finding and using free WiFi - Apple should liberate OS 9 - 07: New Mac mini cheaper than upgrading a Power Mac - 08: Falling in love with OS X
Support Low End Mac

Recent Deals

About LEM Support Usage Privacy Contact

Apple Archive articles copyright ©2000-07 by Adam Robert Guha. Low End Mac is an independent publication and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple Inc. Entire Low End Mac website copyright ©1997-2012 by Cobweb Publishing, Inc. unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, iPad iPhone, iMac, iPod, MacBook, MagSafe, Mac Pro, Apple TV, and AirPort are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks and are hereby acknowledged.
Advice is presented in good faith, but what works for one may not work for all. Please report errors to .
LINKS: We allow and encourage links to any public page as long as the linked page does not appear within a frame that prevents bookmarking it.
Email may be published at our discretion unless marked "not for publication"; email addresses will not be published without permission, and we will encrypt them in hopes of avoiding spammers. Letters may be edited for length, context, and to match house style.
PRIVACY: We don't collect personal information unless you explicitly provide it. For more details, see our Terms of Use.

Custom Search

Follow Low End Mac on Twitter
Join Low End Mac on Facebook

Low End Mac Reader Specials

TypeStyler 11 is now in the Mac App Store!! -- Special Introductory Price of $59.95!! -- To Buy From The Mac App Store Click Here Now!! Or buy direct from Strider Software.

Don't install Parallels to play poker online! Poker Mac will show you how to download and install a native Mac poker and Mac Casino applications in minutes.