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{{short description|Discontinued web browser integrating social networking and Web 2.0 features}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2012}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2012}}
{{Infobox software
{{Infobox software
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| caption = Flock 3.5.3 running on [[Windows 7]] displaying its new tab page
| caption = Flock 3.5.3 running on [[Windows 7]] displaying its new tab page
| developer = Flock, Inc.
| developer = Flock, Inc.
| released = {{start date and age|2005|4|11}}<ref name=released/>
| released = {{start date and age|2005|4|11}}<ref name="released" />
| discontinued = yes
| discontinued = yes
| latest release version = {{wikidata|property|preferred|reference|edit|Q488886|P348|P548=Q2804309}}
⚫
| operating system = [[Windows]], [[OS X]], [[Linux]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Flock Global Page|url=http://flock.softpedia.com/|work=[[Softpedia]]|publisher=SoftNews|accessdate=15 December 2013}}</ref>
| latest release date = {{start date and age|{{wikidata|qualifier|Q488886|P348|P548=Q2804309|P577}}}}
⚫
| operating system = [[Windows]], [[OS X]], [[Linux]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Flock Global Page|url=http://flock.softpedia.com/|work=[[Softpedia]]|publisher=SoftNews|access-date=15 December 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215052715/http://flock.softpedia.com/|archive-date=December 15, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
| language = Catalan, Chinese (both Traditional and Simplified), English (US, Australian, British, Canadian), Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Japanese, Italian, Polish, Portuguese (Portugal + African Portuguese Speaking Countries and Brazil), Russian, Slovak, Spanish (Latin American and Spain)
| language = Catalan, Chinese (both Traditional and Simplified), English (US, Australian, British, Canadian), Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Japanese, Italian, Polish, Portuguese (Portugal + African Portuguese Speaking Countries and Brazil), Russian, Slovak, Spanish (Latin American and Spain)
| genre = [[Web browser]]<br/>[[Feed reader]]
| genre = [[Web browser]]<br/>[[Feed reader]]
⚫
| license = [[Freeware]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Flock (Discontinued) 3.5.3.4641 / 2.6.1|url=http://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/Browsers/Flock-for-Windows.shtml|work=[[Softpedia]]|publisher=SoftNews|access-date=15 December 2013}}</ref>
| status = Discontinued in April 2011<ref name="Flockweb"/>
|website =[https://web.archive.org/web/20110325151017/http://www.flock.com/ Official website archives]
⚫
| license = [[Freeware]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Flock (Discontinued) 3.5.3.4641 / 2.6.1|url=http://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/Browsers/Flock-for-Windows.shtml|work=[[Softpedia]]|publisher=SoftNews|accessdate=15 December 2013}}</ref>
}}
}}
'''Flock''' is a discontinued [[web browser]] that specialized in providing [[Social network service|social networking]] and [[Web 2.0]] facilities built into its [[user interface]].<ref>[http://www.flock.com/mozilla Flock Browser – Built on Mozilla's Firefox] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309195026/http://www.flock.com/mozilla |date=March 9, 2008 }}</ref>
'''Flock''' is a discontinued [[web browser]] that specialized in providing [[Social network service|social networking]] and [[Web 2.0]] facilities built into its [[user interface]].<ref>[http://www.flock.com/mozilla Flock Browser – Built on Mozilla's Firefox] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309195026/http://www.flock.com/mozilla |date=March 9, 2008}}</ref>
Earlier versions of Flock used the [[Gecko (layout engine)|Gecko]] [[Web browser engine|HTML rendering engine]] by [[Mozilla]].
Earlier versions of Flock used the [[Gecko (layout engine)|Gecko]] [[Web browser engine|HTML rendering engine]] by [[Mozilla]].
Version 2.6.2, released on January 27, 2011, was the last version based on Mozilla Firefox.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flock.com/release-notes/index.html |title=Flock 2.6.2 Release Notes |publisher=Flock |accessdate=September 27, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222081043/http://www.flock.com/release-notes/index.html |archivedate=February 22, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flock.com/mozilla/ |title=Powered by Mozilla |publisher=Flock |accessdate=September 27, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030035227/http://www.flock.com/mozilla/ |archivedate=October 30, 2010 }}</ref>
Version 2.6.2, released on January 27, 2011, was the last version based on Mozilla Firefox.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flock.com/release-notes/index.html |title=Flock 2.6.2 Release Notes |publisher=Flock |access-date=September 27, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222081043/http://www.flock.com/release-notes/index.html |archive-date=February 22, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flock.com/mozilla/ |title=Powered by Mozilla |publisher=Flock |access-date=September 27, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030035227/http://www.flock.com/mozilla/ |archive-date=October 30, 2010}}</ref>
Starting with version 3, Flock was based on [[Chromium (web browser)|Chromium]] and so used the [[WebKit]] rendering engine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=10926024|title=Flock Browser Gets Faster, Friendlier With Upgrade|accessdate=June 17, 2010|date=June 16, 2010|author=Iedtke, Michael|publisher=ABC}}</ref><ref name="infoworld"/>
Starting with version 3, Flock was based on [[Chromium (web browser)|Chromium]] and so used the [[WebKit]] rendering engine.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=10926024|title=Flock Browser Gets Faster, Friendlier With Upgrade|access-date=June 17, 2010|date=June 16, 2010|author=Iedtke, Michael|publisher=ABC}}</ref><ref name="infoworld" />
Flock was available as a free download, and supported [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Mac OS X]] and, at one time, [[Linux]] as well.
Flock was available as a free download, and supported [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Mac OS X]] and, at one time, [[Linux]] as well.


Support for Flock was discontinued in April 2011.<ref name="OMG"/><ref name="Archive"/>
Support for Flock was discontinued in April 2011.<ref name="OMG" /><ref name="Archive" />


== History ==
== History ==


Flock was the successor to Round Two, who raised money from [[Bessemer Venture Partners]], Catamount Ventures, Shasta Ventures and other [[angel investor]]s. [[Bart Decrem]] and [[Geoffrey Arone]] co-founded the company.<ref>[http://www.flock.com/company-info Flock Browser - Company Info] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314185726/http://www.flock.com/company-info |date=March 14, 2008 }}</ref> Flock raised $15 million in a fourth round of funding led by [[Fidelity Ventures]] on May 22, 2008, for an estimated total of $30 million, according to CNET. The company's previous investors, Bessemer Venture Partners, Catamount Ventures, and Shasta Ventures, also participated in the round.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9950303-7.html?dlbk | title = Flock draws $15 million for social browsing | publisher = CNET | accessdate = 2012-08-06}}</ref>
Flock was the successor to Round Two, who raised money from [[Bessemer Venture Partners]], Catamount Ventures, Shasta Ventures and other [[angel investor]]s. [[Bart Decrem]] and [[Geoffrey Arone]] co-founded the company.<ref>[http://www.flock.com/company-info Flock Browser - Company Info] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314185726/http://www.flock.com/company-info |date=March 14, 2008}}</ref> Flock raised $15 million in a fourth round of funding led by [[Fidelity Ventures]] on May 22, 2008, for an estimated total of $30 million, according to CNET. The company's previous investors, Bessemer Venture Partners, Catamount Ventures, and Shasta Ventures, also participated in the round.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9950303-7.html?dlbk | title = Flock draws $15 million for social browsing | publisher = CNET | access-date = 2012-08-06 | archive-date = November 16, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111116151014/http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9950303-7.html?dlbk | url-status = dead }}</ref>


In January 2011, Flock Inc. was acquired by [[Zynga]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Wasserman|first=Todd|title=Zynga Buys Social Web Browser Flock|url=http://mashable.com/2011/01/07/zynga-buys-flock/|work=Mashable|date=2011-01-07|accessdate=2012-08-06}}</ref> The browser has been discontinued, with support ending April 26, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|last=Van Grove|first=Jennifer|title=Flock Shutters Social Web Browser|url=http://mashable.com/2011/04/12/flock-folds/|work=Mashable|date=2011-04-12}}</ref>
In January 2011, Flock Inc. was acquired by [[Zynga]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Wasserman|first=Todd|title=Zynga Buys Social Web Browser Flock|url=http://mashable.com/2011/01/07/zynga-buys-flock/|work=Mashable|date=2011-01-07|access-date=2012-08-06}}</ref> The browser has been discontinued, with support ending April 26, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|last=Van Grove|first=Jennifer|title=Flock Shutters Social Web Browser|url=http://mashable.com/2011/04/12/flock-folds/|work=Mashable|date=2011-04-12}}</ref>


==Features==
==Features==
Flock 2.5 integrated social networking and media services including [[MySpace]],<ref name="2.0 release"/> [[Facebook]], [[YouTube]], [[Twitter]], [[Flickr]], [[Blogger (service)|Blogger]], [[Gmail]], [[Yahoo! Mail]], etc.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.flock.com/user-guide/2.0/advpeop.html | title = Activate Services and Unite Your Social Networks in the People Sidebar | work = User guides | publisher = Flock | accessdate = 2008-10-22 }}</ref> When [[Logging (computer security)|logging into]] any of the supported social services, Flock could track updates from friends: profiles, uploaded photos, and more. Flock's latest 2.5 version added [[Twitter]] Search functionality, multi-casting of status updates to multiple services, and the introduction of [[instant messaging]] via [[Facebook Chat]] in the browser.
Flock 2.5 integrated social networking and media services including [[MySpace]],<ref name="2.0 release" /> [[Facebook]], [[YouTube]], [[Twitter]], [[Flickr]], [[Blogger (service)|Blogger]], [[Gmail]], [[Yahoo! Mail]], etc.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.flock.com/user-guide/2.0/advpeop.html | title = Activate Services and Unite Your Social Networks in the People Sidebar | work = User guides | publisher = Flock | access-date = 2008-10-22 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081020062119/http://www.flock.com/user-guide/2.0/advpeop.html | archive-date = October 20, 2008 | df = mdy-all}}</ref> When [[Logging (computer security)|logging into]] any of the supported social services, Flock could track updates from friends: profiles, uploaded photos, and more. Flock 2.5 added [[Twitter]] Search functionality, multi-casting of status updates to multiple services, and the introduction of [[instant messaging]] via [[Facebook Chat]] in the browser.


Other features include:
Other features include:
* Native [[file sharing|sharing]] of text, links, photos and videos<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.flock.com/user-guide/2.0/advshar.html | title = Share Pictures, Text, Audio and Video | work = User guides | publisher = Flock | accessdate = 2008-10-22 }}</ref>
* Native [[file sharing|sharing]] of text, links, photos and videos<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.flock.com/user-guide/2.0/advshar.html | title = Share Pictures, Text, Audio and Video | work = User guides | publisher = Flock | access-date = 2008-10-22}}</ref>
* A "Media Bar" showing preview of online videos and photos as well as subscription to photo and video feeds<ref name="infoworld" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.flock.com/user-guide/2.0/advmdia.html | title = View and Share Media through the Media Bar | work = User guides | publisher = Flock | accessdate = 2008-10-22 }}</ref>
* A "Media Bar" showing preview of online videos and photos as well as subscription to photo and video feeds<ref name="infoworld" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.flock.com/user-guide/2.0/advmdia.html | title = View and Share Media through the Media Bar | work = User guides | publisher = Flock | access-date = 2008-10-22}}</ref>
* A [[feed aggregator|feed reader]] supporting [[Atom (standard)|Atom]], [[RSS]], and [[Media RSS]]<ref name="2.0 release" /> feeds<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.flock.com/user-guide/2.0/advfeed.html | title = Track Feeds | work = User guides | publisher = Flock | accessdate = 2008-10-22 }}</ref>
* A [[feed aggregator|feed reader]] supporting [[Atom (standard)|Atom]], [[RSS]], and [[Media RSS]]<ref name="2.0 release" /> feeds<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.flock.com/user-guide/2.0/advfeed.html | title = Track Feeds | work = User guides | publisher = Flock | access-date = 2008-10-22}}</ref>
* A blog editor and reader, allowing direct posting into any designated blog<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.flock.com/user-guide/2.0/advblog.html | title = Activate and Manage Blogs | work = User guides | publisher = Flock | accessdate = 2008-10-22 }}</ref>
* A blog editor and reader, allowing direct posting into any designated blog<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.flock.com/user-guide/2.0/advblog.html | title = Activate and Manage Blogs | work = User guides | publisher = Flock | access-date = 2008-10-22}}</ref>
* A [[Webkit]]-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<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jrTJ2xmceQU6D6HK9R35lzNyBbhAD91HAHT02 |title=Review: Strong, innovative Web browsers emerge |agency=Associated Press |accessdate=2008-06-26 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080628164451/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jrTJ2xmceQU6D6HK9R35lzNyBbhAD91HAHT02 |archivedate=June 28, 2008 }}</ref>
* A [[Webkit]]-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<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jrTJ2xmceQU6D6HK9R35lzNyBbhAD91HAHT02 |title=Review: Strong, innovative Web browsers emerge |agency=Associated Press |access-date=2008-06-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080628164451/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jrTJ2xmceQU6D6HK9R35lzNyBbhAD91HAHT02 |archive-date=June 28, 2008}}</ref>
* Support for [[Third-party software component|third-party]] add-ons, including a number of [[Add-on (Mozilla)|Firefox extensions]]<ref name="infoworld" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.flock.com/user-guide/2.0/advextd.html | title = Get or Build Add-ons for Flock | work = User guides | publisher = Flock | accessdate = 2008-10-22 }}</ref>
* Support for [[Third-party software component|third-party]] add-ons, including a number of [[Add-on (Mozilla)|Firefox extensions]]<ref name="infoworld" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.flock.com/user-guide/2.0/advextd.html | title = Get or Build Add-ons for Flock | work = User guides | publisher = Flock | access-date = 2008-10-22}}</ref>


==Reception==
==Reception==
*''[[Download.com]]'' rated it 5 out of 5 <ref name="awards" />
*''[[Download.com]]'' rated it 5 out of 5 <ref name="awards" />
*Ranked no. 6 on [[PC World (magazine)|PC World]]'s list of the 100 best products of 2008 <ref name="best2008" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.pcworld.com/article/146161/best.html?page=2 | title = The 100 Best Products of 2008 | publisher = [[PC World (magazine)|PC World]] | accessdate = 2015-06-28 }}</ref>
*Ranked no. 6 on ''[[PC World (magazine)|PC World]]'s'' list of the 100 best products of 2008 <ref name="best2008" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.pcworld.com/article/146161/best.html?page=2 | title = The 100 Best Products of 2008 | date = May 26, 2008 | publisher = [[PC World (magazine)|PC World]] | access-date = 2015-06-28}}</ref>


In December 2007, Flock won the [[Mashable]] [[Open Web Awards]] for Applications and Widgets<ref>{{cite web|author=Adam Hirsch 86 |url=http://mashable.com/2007/12/21/open-web-awards-winners/ |title=Open Web Awards Winners |publisher=Mashable.com |date=21 December 2007 |accessdate=2012-05-21}}</ref> and in March 2008, Flock won the [[SXSW|South By Southwest]]<ref>[http://2008.sxsw.com/interactive/web_awards/winners/ Web Awards]</ref> Web Award for Community.<ref>{{cite web|last=McCarthy |first=Caroline |url=http://www.news.com/8301-13577_3-9890955-36.html |title=Oh wait! SXSWi had Web Awards, too |publisher=News.com |date=11 March 2008 |accessdate=2012-05-21}}</ref>
In December 2007, Flock won the ''[[Mashable]]'' [[Open Web Awards]] for Applications and Widgets<ref>{{cite web|author=Adam Hirsch 86 |url=http://mashable.com/2007/12/21/open-web-awards-winners/ |title=Open Web Awards Winners |publisher=Mashable.com |date=21 December 2007 |access-date=2012-05-21}}</ref> and in March 2008, Flock won the [[SXSW|South By Southwest]]<ref>[http://2008.sxsw.com/interactive/web_awards/winners/ Web Awards] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080323112549/http://2008.sxsw.com/interactive/web_awards/winners/ |date=March 23, 2008}}</ref> Web Award for Community.<ref>{{cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Caroline |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-9890955-36.html |title=Oh wait! SXSWi had Web Awards, too |publisher=cnet.com |date=11 March 2008 |access-date=2012-05-21 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110809203735/http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-9890955-36.html |archive-date= August 9, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>


[[CNET]] gave the Mac OS X version of Flock 1.0 the title of "Best Mac Software of 2007".<ref>{{cite web|last=Parker |first=Jason |url=http://www.download.com/8301-2007_4-9835869-12.html |title=Best Mac Software of 2007 |publisher=Download.com |date=20 December 2007 |accessdate=2012-05-21}}</ref> [[PC World (magazine)|PC World]]'s [[Harry McCracken]] reviewed Flock as his "New Favorite Web Browser".<ref>[http://blogs.pcworld.com/techlog/archives/005768.html I Have A New Favorite Web Browser: Flock]</ref>
''[[CNET]]'' gave the Mac OS X version of Flock 1.0 the title of "Best Mac Software of 2007".<ref>{{cite web |last=Parker |first=Jason |url=http://www.download.com/8301-2007_4-9835869-12.html |title=Best Mac Software of 2007 |publisher=Download.com |date=20 December 2007 |access-date=2012-05-21 |archive-date=February 15, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215080514/http://www.download.com/8301-2007_4-9835869-12.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''[[PC World (magazine)|PC World]]'s'' [[Harry McCracken]] reviewed Flock as his "New Favorite Web Browser".<ref>[http://blogs.pcworld.com/techlog/archives/005768.html I Have A New Favorite Web Browser: Flock] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071108205626/http://blogs.pcworld.com/techlog/archives/005768.html |date=November 8, 2007}}</ref>


In February 2008, [[AOL]] announced that it would discontinue support for the [[Netscape (web browser)|Netscape browser]], and recommended Flock and [[Mozilla Firefox|Firefox]] as alternative browsers to its userbase of [[Netscape|Netscape 9]] users.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.netscape.com/2008/02/20/netscape-9-users-time-to-flock-or-firefox/ |title=Netscape 9 Users: Time to Flock or Firefox |publisher=Blog.netscape.com |date=20 February 2008 |accessdate=2012-05-21}}</ref> For the Netscape 8 userbase, [[AOL]] recommended only the Flock browser to its users.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.netscape.com/2008/03/19/netscape-8-update-forthcoming-you-can-flock-too/ |title=Netscape 8 Update Forthcoming: You Can Flock Too! |publisher=Blog.netscape.com |date= |accessdate=2012-05-21}}</ref> In March 2008, Flock announced that they had seen "nearly 3 million downloads" and a 135% 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".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS121331+10-Mar-2008+BW20080310 |title=Flock Browser Use Growing Dramatically |publisher=Reuters.com |date= |accessdate=2012-05-21}}</ref>
In February 2008, [[AOL]] announced that it would discontinue support for the [[Netscape (web browser)|Netscape browser]], and recommended Flock and [[Mozilla Firefox|Firefox]] as alternative browsers to its userbase of [[Netscape|Netscape 9]] users.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.netscape.com/2008/02/20/netscape-9-users-time-to-flock-or-firefox/ |title=Netscape 9 Users: Time to Flock or Firefox |publisher=Blog.netscape.com |date=20 February 2008 |access-date=2012-05-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813091008/http://blog.netscape.com/2008/02/20/netscape-9-users-time-to-flock-or-firefox/ |archive-date=August 13, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> For the Netscape 8 userbase, [[AOL]] recommended only the Flock browser to its users.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.netscape.com/2008/03/19/netscape-8-update-forthcoming-you-can-flock-too/ |title=Netscape 8 Update Forthcoming: You Can Flock Too! |publisher=Blog.netscape.com |access-date=2012-05-21 |archive-date=July 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110730182204/http://blog.netscape.com/2008/03/19/netscape-8-update-forthcoming-you-can-flock-too |url-status=dead }}</ref> In March 2008, Flock announced that they had seen "nearly 3 million downloads" and a 135% 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".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS121331+10-Mar-2008+BW20080310 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503081434/http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS121331+10-Mar-2008+BW20080310 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-05-03 |title=Flock Browser Use Growing Dramatically |publisher=Reuters.com |access-date=2012-05-21}}</ref>


In May 2008, Flock won the Social Networking category of the [[Webby Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current.php?season=CURRENT_SEASON#webby_entry_social |title=2008 Webby Award Winners |publisher=Webbyawards.com |date= |accessdate=2012-05-21}}</ref><ref>[http://flock.com/node/62014 Flock Wins a Webby Award for Best in Social Networking] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510122257/http://flock.com/node/62014 |date=May 10, 2008 }}</ref> Flock was nominated for this award along with [[Facebook]], [[Bebo]] and [[Ning.com|Ning]].
In May 2008, Flock won the Social Networking category of the [[Webby Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current.php?season=CURRENT_SEASON#webby_entry_social |title=2008 Webby Award Winners |publisher=Webbyawards.com |access-date=2012-05-21}}</ref><ref>[http://flock.com/node/62014 Flock Wins a Webby Award for Best in Social Networking] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510122257/http://flock.com/node/62014 |date=May 10, 2008}}</ref> Flock was nominated for this award along with [[Facebook]], [[Bebo]] and [[Ning.com|Ning]].


When Flock's discontinuation was announced in April 2011, reviewer Joey Sneddon of ''OMG! Ubuntu!'' offered the analysis: "Whether this was down to poor implementation design wise (one needs only glance at 'Rockmelt' for an example of a social browser done right) or just general apathy towards having alerts from twitter, flickr, facebook, digg ''et al.'' in your face all of the time is moot: Flock has flocked off and for all its innovation it never quite lived up to its own hype."<ref name="OMG" />
When Flock's discontinuation was announced in April 2011, reviewer Joey Sneddon of ''OMG! Ubuntu!'' offered the analysis: "Whether this was down to poor implementation design wise (one needs only glance at '[[Rockmelt]]' for an example of a social browser done right) or just general apathy towards having alerts from twitter, flickr, facebook, digg ''et al.'' in your face all of the time is moot: Flock has flocked off and for all its innovation it never quite lived up to its own hype."<ref name="OMG" />


==Awards==
==Awards==
Upon exiting beta, Flock won a number of awards:<ref name="awards">{{cite web
Upon exiting beta, Flock won a number of awards:<ref name="awards">{{cite web |url=http://flock.com/press |title=Flock's press}}</ref>
|url=http://flock.com/press
|title=Flock's press
}}</ref>


*''[[Webby Award]]'' in social networking, 2008<ref name="best2008"/>
*''[[Webby Award]]'' in social networking, 2008<ref name="best2008" />
*''[[South by Southwest|SXSW]]'' community Award, 2008 <ref name="awards" /><ref name="best2008" />
*''[[South by Southwest|SXSW]]'' community Award, 2008 <ref name="awards" /><ref name="best2008" />
*''[[Mashable|Open Web Award]]'' for Applications and Widgets, 2007 <ref name="awards" />
*''[[Mashable|Open Web Award]]'' for Applications and Widgets, 2007 <ref name="awards" />
*"Eddy Winner": Flock 2.0 24th Annual Macworld Editors' Choice Awards <ref>{{cite web|last=Michaels |first=Philip |url=http://www.macworld.com/article/137269/2008/12/eddyawards_flock2.html |title=Eddy Winner: Flock 2.0 |publisher=Macworld.com |date= |accessdate=2012-05-21}}</ref>
*"Eddy Winner": Flock 2.0 24th Annual Macworld Editors' Choice Awards <ref>{{cite web|last=Michaels |first=Philip |url=http://www.macworld.com/article/137269/2008/12/eddyawards_flock2.html |title=Eddy Winner: Flock 2.0 |publisher=Macworld.com |access-date=2012-05-21}}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==

{{Portal|Software|Free software}}


* [[Comparison of feed aggregators]]
* [[Comparison of feed aggregators]]
Line 76: Line 74:


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em|refs=
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="2.0 release">[http://flock.com/node/64027 Official release announcement on Shawn Hardin's blog] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081018110317/http://flock.com/node/64027 |date=October 18, 2008}}</ref>

<ref name="2.0 release">[http://flock.com/node/64027 Official release announcement on Shawn Harding's blog] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081018110317/http://flock.com/node/64027 |date=October 18, 2008 }}</ref>
<ref name="Archive">{{cite web|url = http://www.flock.com/|title = Support for Flock browsers has been discontinued.|access-date = April 10, 2012|last = Flock Inc|date = April 15, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110429020200/http://www.flock.com/ |archive-date = April 29, 2011}}</ref>
<ref name="best2008">{{cite web | url = http://flock.com/node/62277 | title = Flock Named As One of PC World's "100 Best Products of 2008" | access-date = 2008-06-17}}</ref>

⚫
<ref name="infoworld">{{cite web|last=Wayner|first=Peter|title=Top 10 specialty Web browsers you may have missed|url=http://www.infoworld.com/d/applications/top-10-specialty-web-browsers-you-may-have-missed-026?page=0,2#flock|publisher=[[InfoWorld]]|access-date=October 28, 2010|page=2|date=October 19, 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="Archive">{{cite web|url = http://www.flock.com/|title = Support for Flock browsers has been discontinued.|accessdate = April 10, 2012|last = Flock Inc|date = April 15, 2012 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110429020200/http://www.flock.com/ |archivedate = April 29, 2011}}</ref>
⚫
<ref name="OMG">{{Cite news|url = http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2011/04/end-of-the-line-for-flock-social-browser/|title = End of the line for Flock social browser|access-date = April 15, 2011|last =Sneddon|first = Joey|date=April 2011| work = OMG Ubuntu}}</ref>

<ref name="best2008">{{cite web | url = http://flock.com/node/62277 | title = Flock Named As One of PC World's "100 Best Products of 2008" | accessdate = 2008-06-17 }}</ref>
<ref name="released">{{cite web |access-date=2010-08-02 |url=http://news.cnet.com/Start-up-wants-to-improve-on-Firefox/2100-1032_3-5663798.html |title= Start-up wants to improve on Firefox |publisher=CNET |date=11 April 2005 |author=Festa, Paul}}</ref>

<ref name="Flockweb">[http://flock.com/ Flock website] Retrieved April 11, 2011</ref>

⚫
<ref name="infoworld">{{cite web|last=Wayner|first=Peter|title=Top 10 specialty Web browsers you may have missed|url=http://www.infoworld.com/d/applications/top-10-specialty-web-browsers-you-may-have-missed-026?page=0,2#flock|publisher=[[InfoWorld]]|accessdate=October 28, 2010|page=2|date=October 19, 2010}}</ref>

⚫
<ref name="OMG">{{Cite news|url = http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2011/04/end-of-the-line-for-flock-social-browser/|title = End of the line for Flock social browser|accessdate = April 15, 2011|last =Sneddon|first = Joey|authorlink = |date=April 2011| work = OMG Ubuntu}}</ref>

<ref name=released>{{cite web |accessdate=2010-08-02 |url=http://news.cnet.com/Start-up-wants-to-improve-on-Firefox/2100-1032_3-5663798.html |title= Start-up wants to improve on Firefox |publisher=CNET |date=11 April 2005 |author=Festa, Paul }}</ref>

}}
}}


==External links==
==External links==
*{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110325151017/http://www.flock.com/ |date=25 March 2011 |title=Official website }}<!--- WWW is required! --->
*{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110325151017/http://www.flock.com/ |date=25 March 2011 |title=Official website archives}}<!--- WWW is required! --->


{{Webby Awards|year=2008|cat=social networking|type=Winner}}
{{Webby Awards|year=2008|cat=social networking|type=Winner}}

Latest revision as of 12:27, 18 May 2023

Flock
Developer(s)Flock, Inc.
Initial releaseApril 11, 2005; 19 years ago (2005-04-11)[1]
Final release
3.5.3.4641 Edit this on Wikidata / 1 February 2011; 13 years ago (1 February 2011)
Preview releasenone (n/a) [±]
Operating systemWindows, OS X, Linux[2]
Available inCatalan, Chinese (both Traditional and Simplified), English (US, Australian, British, Canadian), Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Japanese, Italian, Polish, Portuguese (Portugal + African Portuguese Speaking Countries and Brazil), Russian, Slovak, Spanish (Latin American and Spain)
TypeWeb browser
Feed reader
LicenseFreeware[3]
WebsiteOfficial website archives

Flock is a discontinued web browser that specialized in providing social networking and Web 2.0 facilities built into its user interface.[4] Earlier versions of Flock used the Gecko HTML rendering engine by Mozilla. Version 2.6.2, released on January 27, 2011, was the last version based on Mozilla Firefox.[5][6] Starting with version 3, Flock was based on Chromium and so used the WebKit rendering engine.[7][8] Flock was available as a free download, and supported Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and, at one time, Linux as well.

Support for Flock was discontinued in April 2011.[9][10]

History[edit]

Flock was 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 co-founded the company.[11] Flock raised $15 million in a fourth round of funding led by Fidelity Ventures on May 22, 2008, for an estimated total of $30 million, according to CNET. The company's previous investors, Bessemer Venture Partners, Catamount Ventures, and Shasta Ventures, also participated in the round.[12]

In January 2011, Flock Inc. was acquired by Zynga.[13] The browser has been discontinued, with support ending April 26, 2011.[14]

Features[edit]

Flock 2.5 integrated social networking and media services including MySpace,[15] Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Flickr, Blogger, Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, etc.[16] When logging into any of the supported social services, Flock could track updates from friends: profiles, uploaded photos, and more. Flock 2.5 added Twitter Search functionality, multi-casting of status updates to multiple services, and the introduction of instant messaging via Facebook Chat in the browser.

Other features include:

Reception[edit]

In December 2007, Flock won the Mashable Open Web Awards for Applications and Widgets[26] and in March 2008, Flock won the South By Southwest[27] Web Award for Community.[28]

CNET gave the Mac OS X version of Flock 1.0 the title of "Best Mac Software of 2007".[29] PC World's Harry McCracken reviewed Flock as his "New Favorite Web Browser".[30]

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.[31] For the Netscape 8 userbase, AOL recommended only the Flock browser to its users.[32] In March 2008, Flock announced that they had seen "nearly 3 million downloads" and a 135% 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".[33]

In May 2008, Flock won the Social Networking category of the Webby Awards.[34][35] Flock was nominated for this award along with Facebook, Bebo and Ning.

When Flock's discontinuation was announced in April 2011, reviewer Joey Sneddon of OMG! Ubuntu! offered the analysis: "Whether this was down to poor implementation design wise (one needs only glance at 'Rockmelt' for an example of a social browser done right) or just general apathy towards having alerts from twitter, flickr, facebook, digg et al. in your face all of the time is moot: Flock has flocked off and for all its innovation it never quite lived up to its own hype."[9]

Awards[edit]

Upon exiting beta, Flock won a number of awards:[23]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Festa, Paul (April 11, 2005). "Start-up wants to improve on Firefox". CNET. Retrieved August 2, 2010.
  2. ^ "Flock Global Page". Softpedia. SoftNews. Archived from the original on December 15, 2013. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  3. ^ "Flock (Discontinued) 3.5.3.4641 / 2.6.1". Softpedia. SoftNews. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  4. ^ Flock Browser – Built on Mozilla's Firefox Archived March 9, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "Flock 2.6.2 Release Notes". Flock. Archived from the original on February 22, 2011. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  6. ^ "Powered by Mozilla". Flock. Archived from the original on October 30, 2010. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  7. ^ Iedtke, Michael (June 16, 2010). "Flock Browser Gets Faster, Friendlier With Upgrade". ABC. Retrieved June 17, 2010.
  8. ^ a b c Wayner, Peter (October 19, 2010). "Top 10 specialty Web browsers you may have missed". InfoWorld. p. 2. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
  9. ^ a b Sneddon, Joey (April 2011). "End of the line for Flock social browser". OMG Ubuntu. Retrieved April 15, 2011.
  10. ^ Flock Inc (April 15, 2012). "Support for Flock browsers has been discontinued". Archived from the original on April 29, 2011. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
  11. ^ Flock Browser - Company Info Archived March 14, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ "Flock draws $15 million for social browsing". CNET. Archived from the original on November 16, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2012.
  13. ^ Wasserman, Todd (January 7, 2011). "Zynga Buys Social Web Browser Flock". Mashable. Retrieved August 6, 2012.
  14. ^ Van Grove, Jennifer (April 12, 2011). "Flock Shutters Social Web Browser". Mashable.
  15. ^ a b Official release announcement on Shawn Hardin's blog Archived October 18, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ "Activate Services and Unite Your Social Networks in the People Sidebar". User guides. Flock. Archived from the original on October 20, 2008. Retrieved October 22, 2008.
  17. ^ "Share Pictures, Text, Audio and Video". User guides. Flock. Retrieved October 22, 2008.
  18. ^ "View and Share Media through the Media Bar". User guides. Flock. Retrieved October 22, 2008.
  19. ^ "Track Feeds". User guides. Flock. Retrieved October 22, 2008.
  20. ^ "Activate and Manage Blogs". User guides. Flock. Retrieved October 22, 2008.
  21. ^ "Review: Strong, innovative Web browsers emerge". Associated Press. Archived from the original on June 28, 2008. Retrieved June 26, 2008.
  22. ^ "Get or Build Add-ons for Flock". User guides. Flock. Retrieved October 22, 2008.
  23. ^ a b c d "Flock's press".
  24. ^ a b c "Flock Named As One of PC World's "100 Best Products of 2008"". Retrieved June 17, 2008.
  25. ^ "The 100 Best Products of 2008". PC World. May 26, 2008. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  26. ^ Adam Hirsch 86 (December 21, 2007). "Open Web Awards Winners". Mashable.com. Retrieved May 21, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  27. ^ Web Awards Archived March 23, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  28. ^ McCarthy, Caroline (March 11, 2008). "Oh wait! SXSWi had Web Awards, too". cnet.com. Archived from the original on August 9, 2011. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
  29. ^ Parker, Jason (December 20, 2007). "Best Mac Software of 2007". Download.com. Archived from the original on February 15, 2008. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
  30. ^ I Have A New Favorite Web Browser: Flock Archived November 8, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  31. ^ "Netscape 9 Users: Time to Flock or Firefox". Blog.netscape.com. February 20, 2008. Archived from the original on August 13, 2011. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
  32. ^ "Netscape 8 Update Forthcoming: You Can Flock Too!". Blog.netscape.com. Archived from the original on July 30, 2011. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
  33. ^ "Flock Browser Use Growing Dramatically". Reuters.com. Archived from the original on May 3, 2008. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
  34. ^ "2008 Webby Award Winners". Webbyawards.com. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
  35. ^ Flock Wins a Webby Award for Best in Social Networking Archived May 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  36. ^ Michaels, Philip. "Eddy Winner: Flock 2.0". Macworld.com. Retrieved May 21, 2012.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Flock_(web_browser)&oldid=1155501123"