How to add color to your web-apps

Filed in archive Utilities on January 12, 2008

Who here does not regularly use a web-based service? I reckon that we all do - in my case, I use Twitter's web interface when I am not using a Mac. I also use Meebo for my instant messaging when I am connected behind a firewall. These work on your browser but sometimes you just need a container for that particular web app and nothing else. This is where Mozilla's Prism comes in. (more after the jump)

Prism is a simple XULRunner based browser that hosts web applications without the normal web browser user interface. Prism is based on a concept called Site Specific Browsers (SSB). An SSB is an application with an embedded browser designed to work exclusively with a single web application. It doesn't have the menus, toolbars and accoutrements of a normal web browser. Some people have called it a "distraction free browser" because none of the typical browser chrome is used. An SSB also has a tighter integration with the OS and desktop than a typical web application running through a web browser.

Setting it up is simple. Download the binaries and decompress it. Move to your home folder and run. That is it! The interface is very easy to understand - and after entering the necessary parameters, you are asked if you want a link added on your desktop and that is it! Double click on the icon and boom!

You may also download pre-packed Web Applications from the Prism site.

Image from Prism site.