Flock (web browser)
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Flock is a web browser built on Mozilla’s Firefox codebase that specializes in providing social networking and Web 2.0 facilities built into its user interface. [1] Flock v2 was released on October 14th 2008.[2].
The Flock browser is available as a free download, and supports Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux platforms.
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[edit] Features
Flock 2.0 integrates social networking and media services including MySpace,[2] Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Flickr, Blogger, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, etc.[3] Notably, when logging into any of the supported social services, Flock can track updates from friends: profiles, uploaded photos, and more.
Other features include:
- native sharing of text, links, photos and videos;[4]
- a "Media Bar" showing preview of online videos and photos as well as subscription to photo and video feeds;[5]
- a feed reader supporting Atom, RSS and Media RSS[2] feeds;[6]
- a blog editor and reader, allowing direct posting into any designated blog;[7]
- a web-mail component allowing users to check supported web-based email off site, compose new messages, and drag-and-drop pictures and videos from the "Media Bar" or webclipboard into a new email message;[8]
- support for third-party add-ons, including a number of Firefox extensions.[9] It also supports themes since version 2.0.[2]
[edit] Reception
In December 2007, Flock won the Mashable Open Web Awards for Applications and Widgets[10] and in March 2008, Flock won the South By Southwest[11] Web Award for Community.[12]
Flock 1.0 was reviewed by CNet as "Best Mac Software of 2007."[13] PC World's Harry McCracken reviewed Flock as his "New Favorite Web Browser."[14]
In February 2008, AOL announced that it would discontinue support for the Netscape browser, and recommended Flock and Firefox as alternative browsers to its userbase of Netscape 9 users.[15] For the Netscape 8 userbase, AOL recommended only the Flock browser to its users.[16] In March 2008, Flock announced that they had seen "nearly 3 million downloads" and a 135% percent increase in active users in the first two months of 2008. They also announced "more than 70 percent of Flock users making it their default browser of choice."[17]
In May 2008, Flock won the Social Networking category of the Webby Awards.[18][19] Flock was nominated for this award along with Facebook, Bebo and Ning. On July 22, 2008 Linux distributor PC/OS [20] announced that the Flock browser would replace Firefox as its primary browser on its workstation releases.
[edit] Criticism
The most common criticisms of Flock are that it is buggy and has a complicated User Interface .[21] While the user interface is seen by its own community as a strength,[22] some believe that there is feature and interface overkill.[23] This has been attributed to the failure of Flock to adhere to Human Interface Guidelines. [21] The large number of features may also cause sluggish performance.[24] One user expressed concern that Flock sends data back to its developers. This led some users to accuse Flock of being spyware, but a Flock Community Ambassador immediately disputed this, saying that "Like other browsers, Flock collects limited, non-personally identifying information." [25] Recent versions of Flock include an option to turn off this data collection during installation.
[edit] Company
Flock is the successor to Round Two who raised money from Bessemer Venture Partners, Catamount Ventures, Shasta Ventures, and other angel investors. Bart Decrem and Geoffrey Arone cofounded the company.[26]
[edit] Recent funding
Flock raised $15 million in a fourth round of funding led by Fidelity Ventures on May 22, 2008. The company's previous investors, Bessemer Venture Partners, Catamount Ventures, and Shasta Ventures, also participated in the round. The company plans to use the funds to expand its research and development, marketing, and global expansion efforts. To date, the company has raised an estimated $30 million.[27]
[edit] Awards
Upon exiting beta Flock has won a number of awards:[28]
- Webby Award in social networking, 2008[29]
- SXSW community Award, 2008 [28][29]
- Open Web Award for Applications and Widgets, 2007 [28]
[edit] Ratings
- Download.com top rated, 5 out of 5 [28]
- Ranked #6 on PC World's list of the 100 best products of 2008 [30][29]
[edit] See also
- List of feed aggregators
- Comparison of feed aggregators
- List of web browsers
- Comparison of web browsers
[edit] References
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This article's citation style may be unclear. The references used may be clearer with a different or consistent style of citation, footnoting, or external linking. |
- ^ Flock Browser - Built on Mozilla's Firefox
- ^ a b c d Official release announcement on Shawn Harding's blog
- ^ "Activate Services and Unite Your Social Networks in the People Sidebar". User guides. Flock. Retrieved on 2008-10-22.
- ^ "Share Pictures, Text, Audio and Video". User guides. Flock. Retrieved on 2008-10-22.
- ^ "View and Share Media through the Media Bar". User guides. Flock. Retrieved on 2008-10-22.
- ^ "Track Feeds". User guides. Flock. Retrieved on 2008-10-22.
- ^ "Activate and Manage Blogs". User guides. Flock. Retrieved on 2008-10-22.
- ^ "Review: Strong, innovative Web browsers emerge". The Associated Press. Retrieved on 2008-06-26.
- ^ "Get or Build Add-ons for Flock". User guides. Flock. Retrieved on 2008-10-22.
- ^ Open Web Awards Winners
- ^ Web Awards
- ^ Oh wait! SXSWi had Web Awards, too
- ^ Best Mac Software of 2007
- ^ I Have A New Favorite Web Browser: Flock
- ^ Netscape 9 Users: Time to Flock or Firefox
- ^ Netscape 8 Update Forthcoming: You Can Flock Too!
- ^ Flock Browser Use Growing Dramatically
- ^ 2008 Webby Award Winners
- ^ Flock Wins a Webby Award for Best in Social Networking
- ^ PC/OS
- ^ a b R., Douglas (2006-07-18). "The Flock Browser: Much Ado Over Nothing" (Technical Blog Entry). WordPress.com. Retrieved on 2008-08-07.
- ^ Stamatiou, Paul (2005-10-21). "Flock, Under Those Feathers" (Technical Blog Entry). Retrieved on 2008-08-07.
- ^ Wheeler, Colin (2008-07-17). "Every Browser Sucks! (in at least 1 area)". Blogspot. Retrieved on 2008-08-07.
- ^ "Sorry, but new version sucks!" (Forum Thread). Retrieved on 2008-08-07.
- ^ R., Douglas (2006-07-21). "The Tell Tale Browser or Is Flock Spyware?" (Technical Blog Entry). WordPress.com. Retrieved on 2008-08-07.
- ^ Flock Browser - Company Info
- ^ "Flock draws $15 million for social browsing". CNET. Retrieved on 2008-05-23.
- ^ a b c d "Flock's press".
- ^ a b c "Flock Named As One of PC World's "100 Best Products of 2008"". Retrieved on 2008-06-17.
- ^ "The 100 Best Products of 2008". PC World. Retrieved on 2008-06-17.
[edit] External links
- Flock homepage
- Flock Community
- Flock Developer Wiki
- Unofficial Flock screenshots
- List of Flock Extensions
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