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Since the launch of Flock’s v1 product, we’ve taken great pride in receiving positive notes from our community about how Flock has “changed the way that [they] experience the Web”. Flock provides the technology, and people bring their widely varied interests and add their friends to the mix to create an experience that is entirely tailored to suit their needs.
We’ve recently embarked on an exciting project to create some new “editions” of Flock, which will appeal to people that share strong passions for particular causes and topics. We are launching our maiden “edition” today: the “Eco-Edition” of the Flock browser, which delivers the best environmentally conscious “green” content and media available from around the web in a tightly organized format, all available from a single download. Once the browser installs, it updates with fresh eco-content daily in the form of news feeds, media streams, and favorite sites, delivering an experience that is dynamic, connected and always fresh. We’ve included an extensive offering of content topics, and fully expect people to prune and further refine the experience to better serve their own preferences once they’ve gotten acquainted with Flock.
Flock provides a unique platform for browser-based content programming -- users bring their passion for topics of interest. With the “Eco-Edition”, environmental information ranges from “alternative energy” to “climate news” to “green design + architecture” to “green cuisine”. Creating awareness is the best way to effect change, and we’re glad to help by donating 10% of proceeds from the Eco-Edition to an environmental charity, as determined by all the users of the Eco-Edition at the end of 2008.
We’re hitting record growth numbers for new downloads and users every week, and have been thrilled by the many vocal advocates of Flock. We are targeting Flock’s next product release, v1.2, for launch in May and have some exciting new services integrated which we know you’re going to enjoy, because your requests guide our feature prioritization.
We will also release new editions for other passionate audiences over the months to come. We hope these editions will introduce Flock’s unique capabilities to new audiences that will be delighted by what they discover in Flock and join the global community of raving Flock fans.
We’re excited to see what happens when we mix Flock, People and Passion together. And we’re thrilled to kick off this new program with the “Eco-Edition”.
As always, we are very much looking forward to your input and feedback.
Shawn Hardin
CEO
shawn at flock dot com
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Other Systems & Languages
It really looks awesome and sounds awesome to be delivered eco-news daily.
Congratulations to the whole teamp for creating that Flock eco-edition, which is an extra-quality product.
I can't wait to download it, and use it as my daily browser !
Kudos for the ever-growing success of Flock ;)
Frédéric Bourgeon, French Flock localiser
Man o man! Am I glad to be a Flock user! (I must seriously be the only one in India right now!!!)
Eco-Edition? Sounds cool to me! But you guys could have included some tech news on the home page apart from the "green" content! I know it has nothing to do with the environment and this is just a suggestion anyway, but tech fans like me would love to have tech news as soon as we open our browsers, if you get what I mean.
In any case, brilliant upgrade guys. Am really looking forward to the browser in May and I'm praying its more awesome than I expect it to be!
We will also release new editions for other passionate audiences over the months to come.
Wait... does this mean we'll see a Geek Edition?
I like the idea. I've got a couple of questions though.
On the eco-edition site, it mentioned proceeds generated by searching through Flock go toward the 10% donation since you guys make money through the search bar.
1. Is that for any search engine installed, just the ones that come pre-installed on Flock, or Yahoo only?
2. I noticed the browser looks different from regular Flock. Are you going to have a theme download on the site now, will you just include a couple in the browser download, or are we stuck with whatever theme comes with the edition we have? I prefer the default theme over the eco-edition theme, but I do want money sent from my searches to go to an environmental charity.
3. Are you planning on having some kind of feature where you can add stuff from other editions easily? For example, I run the eco edition and later you come out with a sports edition. Can I get something that would allow me to easily get all the content from the sports edition without switching from the eco-edition or do I need to manually add all the feeds, bookmarks, and whatever else you put in?
Flock is such a cool product. As a green advocate, wood is precious to me ya know, I can't wait to get it tomorrow!
It would really be cool to be able to combine themes like discussed above too! I am still learning how to use the power of Flock.
@Jeffrey: Thanks for the questions, here are some answers.
1. Yahoo! only, they are the company that we have a monetization deal through.
2. Extensions.flock.com does not currently support themes, but we're working on adding this support. That said, it's not the theme itself that is providing the donation, it's the fact that you're using the Eco build.
3. The Eco Edition is the first affinity edition and a bit of an experiment technically (though don't worry, it's completely safe). Future Affinity Editions will be more like extensions you install in Flock, so you can add and remove this content at will.
The Flock Eco-Edition will install it's content into your current content if you install it, so if you are already running Flock, please read our Eco-Edition FAQ before installing.
Evan Hamilton
Community Ambassador
evan at flock dot com
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blog.evanhamilton.com
I totally love the idea of your Eco-Edition. One problem though. I followed the link to get the green browser and was told to come back on Earth Day. Well, I'm in Hong Kong and it's been Earth Day for 11.5 hours. So, by the time the U.S. begins Earth Day it will all be over here. Is this a glitch, poor planning, or U.S.-centric behaviour I'd not thought to find in my favourite browser (it's my default browser)?
I love what you're doing. Please remember, it is 'Earth' Day for everyone.
Thanks for the great browser that I recommend to all my friends and colleagues, always.
Cheers,
Marc
@Marc,
We came down to the wire for getting this product in it's final form put together. We'd would have loved to have it out a day earlier but we still had to do the proper amount of testing to ensure the appropriate level of quality. The product is being released as I type this response. Hope you enjoy it!
Thx,
Mike Dosik
Director, Engineering Services
Flock, Inc.
The eco version won't launch on OS X. Looks like you are serving a 1.3 version from the web page. Might want to check out what is happening?
Hey thanks for your reply. I didn't mean to be mean, as the song goes. Since I began using Flock in (I think) version 0.7 I've really grown to love it until now it's displaced Firefox as my primary browser, and it just keeps getting better. Compared to Flock, Firefox is looking a little old and tired these days.
I appreciate your explaining the reason for the lateness of release and I hope it's as successful as it deserves to be.
Cheers,
Marc
Well, I've downloaded it already and installed it: seems fine to me.
I appreciate this browser so much, that I've done a simple post in my simple blog, right here: http://uemeai.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/browsers/
Thanks!
I've just installed and it's looking good. My unread feeds have rocketed from about 30 to 1103 though! There's a little redundency (as I already had treehugger and planet green) so a little pruning is needed, but wow, you guys really thought of everything.
Thanks again for an awesome browser.
p.s. when I search using the right-click context menu, will you still be donating 10%?
Just wanted to say been a flock user a long time.Just downloaded the eco one and love it.Great job i love all the imformation about what we can do for the EARTH.
Hi Shawn:
Great idea. Looking forward for new topics and themes. This is why I use Flock as my default browser. Innovation, Fun and Easy to Use!
Regards,
Omar.-
Terrific browser Flock is! But, how about us being able to rename our favorites so that its window having long names won't block our screen?
Please consider.
Please disregard my suggestion. I was so excited going over all Flocks' unique advanced features that I overlooked its Favorites Manager.
Flock is awesome! Kudos to you guys!
You are right! Flock has changed the way that I use the web on a daily basis. I am very excited about the upcoming thematic enhancements. I couldn't live without you, Flock. I HEART Flock.
Best
Beth
Umm.. I dunno if its just me or all of this part of the world. But when I clicked on that link of "Eco-Edition", it simply downloaded some setup file which installs the usual Flock again. I can't see the Green Eco-Edition Flock at all. Have I done something wrong? Am I supposed to change some settings or uninstall the previous Flock before installing this one? Cos I dunno frankly.
I'm already a user, but I would love to be a client! I think Flock brings an amazing service to eco-minded online surfers and I really hope you consider including an RSS feed from TitanGreens.com in your next edition. We have brand new highly entertaining and eco-centric videos every single day for everyone's enjoyment and information.
Check us out at http://www.TitanGreens.com
The RSS: http://titancastservices.titantv.com/TitanTVRSS/channel/titangreens/TTV/rss.aspx
Keep up the great work!
Wow, looks cool. I am very much excited. I will download it and see it in action.
The "Green Look" I think it is because of the Earth Day right :)
Angilina Jetli
Flock is one of the greatest inventions on the internet.
Have written few articles about Flock in my Newspapers Directory
Rapster -
Could you please try again? If it still doesn't work, could you please clear your cache, restart the browser, and download it again?
Please, feel free to email us if you have any issue. My email address is sophie at flock dot com.
Thanks,
Sophie
Hey! I too am from India, plus Im 13 plus when PC World published many people started using flock(I started before)
It's a pity about "Yahoo! only, they are the company that we have a monetization deal through."
Maybe when they stop handing pre-democracy activists to tyrants to be put in jail (10 years for criticizing the Chinese govt) I will be happy to support Yahoo.
thanks for making such a cool product!
I love it!!!
I'll pass, one more "green" item and I'm gotta throw up
Believe it or not, I was actually waiting for a comment like the one above! There had been too many good ones already.
Cheers
What about a Population Explosion version or better yet a "dangers of electricity", "save the whales/owls/fill in your own blank" or a "hell no, we won't go" version? There are so many meaningless yet full of feel-good feelings themes out there. It's not limited to just green-washing.
Might I suggest that you partner with, perhaps MoveOn.org for a Progressive-Edition?
The eco version won't launch on OS X. Looks like you are serving a 1.3 version from the web page.
I am all about being current, cause I love each update.
If I do this...and there is an upgrade..I will weep loudly if I see "ECO update to be released shortly!"
Whenever an update to Flock is made, will it be instantaneous across all "themes"?
Cross your heart?
Wally
@Old Joe: We're fully aware that the green movement is not for everyone, which is why this is an "affinity" edition of Flock, not the primary Flock download. Just because this is not your particular passion doesn't mean it's not someone else's. We're not claiming to be a "Green" company, we're simply providing a tool for a specific set of people. Being able to give back 10% is a fantastic bonus that we're really excited about.
@drawn: Sorry to hear that. 1.3 is the Eco-Edition, so I'm not sure what exactly is going on. Please email our Community Support Lead, Jen Anderberg, at jen at flock dot com. She'll help you out.
@wallyma: Good question. The Eco-Edition should be updated in the same timeframe as all builds, just as we do with the Photobucket Edition and localized editions. Occasionally, if we have a build server go down, these will take a few more hours, but for the most part they will be updated on the same timeframe. You'll be safe using Eco.
Evan Hamilton
Community Ambassador
evan at flock dot com
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blog.evanhamilton.com
I think about changing from Firefox to Flock and also like the idea of the Eco Edition to be able to give money to enviromental projects. So since I am from Germany I would like to know if their going to be a localized edition for german people and where to download them.
As a relatively new Flock user, I have been and continue to be very impressed with just how intuitive and versatile the browser is. But more importantly, I'm impressed by the willingness of the creators of Flock to interact with its users and listen to their comments, suggestions, and complaints as intently as they do. Keep it up Flock developers!
Hi drawn,
Yes, please email me directly at jen at flock dot com with some more details on the issue you're experiencing and we can go from there!
Thanks!
Jen Anderberg
Community Support Lead
Wow, looks cool. I am very much excited. I will download it and see it in action.
Wowww!! what great theme!! i love green world :)
Thank you..