Flock is a browser based on Mozilla Firefox. Flock creator call it “the social browser” as it enhanced multiple automations for social networking and web 2.0 services like Flickr, Blogger, Twitter etc. Flock comes with a built-in RSS aggregator for keeping an eye on your favorite feeds and works with almost any of Firefox add-ons. Recently the browser updated to version 0.9 (previous version was 0.7) with a new interface and multiple new features.
A deeper look in the interface and new features
The new theme is full of buttons with many gradients and shiny effects and seems complicated even for users who used Flock’s previous version (0.7). The main menu bar is almost the same with Firefox, with some new buttons for emailing a link and viewing feed options. A search form is also there which supports by default searching using Google, Yahoo and Amazon. Live searching (showing directly results of your recently visited sites and famous web sites) is a feature that I like and use also in Firefox (Google Toolbar supports it too). The second menu bar offers some shortcuts for certain operation like Twitter or opening the Flickr streamline view. If you get used to the new theme, you will find that intergration with Flickr and other services has become much more easy to use. You do not have to run wizards, just log in to the service you want. An option to add more shortcuts to this bar is also there. You can upload any file you want and blog it directly to most of the common used blogging platforms.
The built-in RSS reader is easy to use, offering basic features and by default shows a summary of the articles in a feed. Clicking on an article will get you to the source to read it. If you visit a site that has a syndication feed that you have not subscribed to, the RSS icon will flash and will show you how to subscribe to the site if you like.
Opening Flock will get you to the My World page which is something like a control panel with all the features the Flock supports (its like iGoogle and Pageflakes in a way) and a Yahoo searchbar.
Overall
Personally I prefer the simplicity of Mozilla Firefox which lets me install any extension I like or I am going to use. On the other side, Flock is what it is supposed to be: a social browser, bringing all the “Web 2.0” services you use together. If you like all that stuff and you get used to the confused interface, you are going to love Flock. Mind also that the version is 0.9 (<1.0), so we have to wait more in the final version. It is kind of beta testing and feedback tracking until version 1.0 is released. If you like to keep an eye on Flock news, visit Flock Blog.
Hi:
I don’t think the user interface is more complicated or confusing. I think it is a matter of being new. After a while it will become familiar to the users. I have been using Flock 0.9 since it was released and feel that it is a lot easier to use.
If you enjoy sharing and intense interaction, this browser is like a ring to your finger.
Regards,
Omar.-
Regarding “Personally I prefer the simplicity of Mozilla Firefox which lets me install any extension I like or I am going to use”…
You can “adapt” Firefox extensions to work with Flock, since Flock is based on Mozilla.
Adapt a Firefox extension/add-on to Flock:
http://developer.flock.com/wiki/Firefox_to_Flock
http://wiki.flock.com/index.php/Modify_FireFox_Extensions
BTW, at this point, the most important extension, to me, to adapt is “NoScript”, until such time, if ever, that the author, catches on and adapts it at the source. This extension is especially useful for when you send feedback to Flock (http://flock.com/feedback/) and they ask for a list of installed extensions.
Also BTW, I have given a lot of feedback, and encourage others to do so also, simply use: Help»Give Feedback, or click on the blue fly icon (Send Feedback) to the right of the URL/location field.
Flock on!
-erich
p.s. why I flock: http://community.livejournal.com/flockstars/1760.html
p.p.s. my favorite new-to-me extension is Extension List Dumper (http://sogame.awardspace.com/eldumper/); the extensions/add-ons I currently use in Flock are:
– Adblock Plus 0.7.5.1
– Add to Netvibes 0.7.3
– Advanced Dork: 2.1.5
– All-in-One Sidebar 0.7.1
(Disabled)
– DapperFox 0.1.3
– del.icio.us 1.2.1
– Digg This! 0.5
– Download Statusbar 0.9.5
– Dugged 0.3
– Extension List Dumper 1.8.0
– Firefox Universal Uploader (fireuploader) 0.3.1
– Flashblock 1.5.4.1
– Flickr Sidebar 0.2
– Flock Blog Plus 0.6.5
– Flock Tumble 0.1
– Flock’d 0.2.20060527
– Flockstars 0.4.2
– Forecastfox 0.9.5.2
– FoxyTunes 2.9.5.31
– geoFlock 0.7.9
– Gmail Notifier 0.6.1
– Google Browser Sync 1.3.20070523.0
– Google Notebook 1.0.0.17
– Google Toolbar for Firefox 3.0.20070525W
– Hyperwords(tm) 2.8
– IE Tab 1.3.3.20070528
– Jaikungfu 0.1.4
– Link Alert 0.7.2
– LinkedIn Companion for Firefox 3.0.1
– Me.dium 2.4.0.3676
– MenuX 0.2.4.6
– MultiSidebar 0.2.1
– NoScript 1.1.6.12
– QuoteURLText 1.0.1
– Sage 1.3.10
– Screenshot 0.0.1
– ScribeFire 1.4.1
– Session Manager 0.5.4.1
– Smart Digg Button 1.01
– Snap Links 0.0.3
– Snipshot 1.0
– StumbleUpon 3.06
– Tag Editor 0.6
– Toolbar Buttons 0.4.1.6
– Twitterbar 0.0.6
– VideoDownloader 1.1.1
– WebmailCompose 0.6.7
– Who Is This Person? 1.0
– Wizz RSS News Reader 2.1.9.4
– xmpp4moz 0.5.0.2007072602
@Eric: I prefer a “clean” browser, which just lets me install any extras I need! Thats what I mentioned!
@Omar: If you use social and “web 2.0” services a lot, Flock is for sure a ring in your finger, but I prefer the traditional way: log in, do my job, log out than having all that stuff built in my browser.
It is nice to see that a new browser has many fans!
Flock is an evolution in “all-in-one” browsers, but I prefer the easy-simple-to use firefox too! Agree that we should wait for the final version, as it is too early to judge this browser!
Waiting for version 1.0! I like Flock, all in one feature helps me track my favorite website rather than installing all these extension that firefox needs to do the same!