About RockMelt: my new favorite social and App friendly Internet browser

By J. Nick Augustine, J.D., Internet and social network enthusiast.

Last night I checked my Square Space website traffic analytics for www.proservepr.com and noticed 67% of visitors use Google Chrome as their browser. Is Chrome the standard these days? I knew there must be a new browser out there and I searched and found RockMelt.

Layout

The first thing I noticed about RockMelt was the fresh layout. With the social media Apps located on the sides of the page which cleans up the space at the top of the screen. I find clutter n the top and bottom of my screen annoying. I pay more attention to things above or below my line of vision, as opposed to objects in my side vision. The developers likely built the new browser in with visual ergonomics in mind.

The Apps

You can easily add and remove your favorites from the App Center where you can search and add as the new Apps are developed. There are already many titles and categories to browse. A default set of Apps loads on the left sidebar and it shoes small numbers showing updates. I’m more aware that developers set this up to draw me into their site. I feel like the Karate Kid using discretion in not jumping to the ESPN App, for example, just because a little “1” new story notification appears. When you decide to click on an App, a small bubble window opens up on the sidebar so you can scroll the updates. Only the updates, including pictures and video, appear and not all the regular ads and settings appear as they would if you were on the Facebook website, for example

Social Reading

On the side App bar, when you open a news App you will see the Social Reading button, which suggests you can see what others are reading, and commenting; however, with this feature turned on, a status update will appear on your Facebook page, allowing others to see what articles you visit within your Apps. I turned the Social Reading option off. I see notifications on my Facebook wall telling me what articles others are reading and I just don’t want to be that transparent.

No Ads

Sometimes I just want to fly through recent updates on my social network websites. RockMelt’s social network applications finally let me scan for my favorite news outlets and bloggers without stumbling through all advertisements and invitations. The free browsers and sites we use daily are sponsored by advertising revenue. Ad revenue models make their way into browsers – I can’t stand the search engine wars – no I do not want the Ask toolbar to be my default!

Bookmarks

When I downloaded RockMelt, my Google bookmarks loaded in nicely. The only thing I cannot figure out is how to display the bookmarks as buttons. When I click on the bookmarks button, the list appears from top down on the top left of my screen. I like this visual layout because I can rename my favorite buttons without worrying about space being used up on my browser layout.

Do you like RockMelt?

What is your experience adopting new web browsers?

I keep my finger on news and advances in social media and technology to help serve the public and my clients better as I maintain a focus on making law firms and businesses better.