It is hard to change computer habits, be it operating system or web browser. I’m a person who doesn’t leave her usual browser without a good fight. I wasn’t always a Firefox fangirl. I was once an IE user like most people and when I first tried Firefox, I hated it immediately, seemed too much hassle to getting used to it, so I uninstalled in 10 mins. Second time I tried, I took it easy to learn my way around Firefox and eventually have become an addict. Now I don’t know how I had lived through the days before tabbed browsing and all that customization.
And I was thinking Firefox and I are great friends and there will be no other browser that will come between us. Chrome is faster ? Well, I love my highly customised Firefox the way it is even it is slower.
Then there is Flock. They call it “social web browser”. I was curious at first, but as soon as I see Facebook in the services list, it was an immediate turn-off. I’m trying not to be a FB hater, I have an account there which I rarely use (For those who use Facebok on daily basis, you should definitely check out Flock. See the video ). I thought “It’s not my kind of social” since I use mostly RSS-reader and no digg, no delicious, no microblogging until trying identi.ca, and Flock doesn’t support identi.ca yet.
When I finally decided to try, I was so sure I would uninstall it in 15 mins. most. And I couldn’t be more wrong. I fell in love with its simple and neat interface at first sight, no need to change any browsing habits since it is basically Firefox with native social web toolbar and fully compatible with Firefox plugins. I can check my RSS feeds, twitter, even youtube videos and e-mails without disturbing my browsing. I’m trying blog editor right now, integrated to browser, makes it so easier to compose a blog post.
Another thing I like about Flock is it developer team seem to undertand social web well. My experience so far, they are so responsive to their users (e.g. via twitter) and have and account on Youtube “How to Flock” introducing browser’s features and how to use them.
Yet they are not without flaws (yet 
). They don’t have identi.ca integration as I said and friendfeed. I’m looking forward to see them integrated soon.
Well, I uninstalled Firefox, customized Flock to my taste and definitely enjoying the experience. And passionately recommending for those who haven’t try it out yet. Give it 15 mins. and it will steal your heart.
Blogged with the Flock Browser
2 comments
Comments feed for this article
June 24, 2009 at 15:04
gamerchick02
Another Flocker! Woohoo!
Anyway, I've been pushing for identi.ca and friendfeed integration. I use gwibber for my social media stuff (that's not facebook anyway) more than Flock. (Sorry, Flock; gwibber is better for twitter/identi.ca/friendfeed/etc).
I love the fact that you can use firefox addons (I can't live without flashblock and adblock plus).
Glad to hear you're liking Flock. Are you using the 2.5 version?
Amy
June 29, 2009 at 15:45
Ena
Yes, I’m using 2.5 and I love the idea of social media browser so far. But they are not where they should be yet. I’m using Flock’s integrated RSS reader for some time and it cannot be a capable alternative to Google Reader yet. They have a wonderful Facebook integration, making facebook something more functional than it usually is. But like I said, FB is not my thing.
I guess, I’ll go back to gwibber in the meantime while Flock continue to evolve.