Mozilla Prism, previously known as WebRunner, is a great application that splits the web applications from the browser and lets you run them from your desktop. Although in it’s infancy, Prism is already very useful for me and I use it for a variety of web applications that I need open throughout the day.
If you are new to Prism, you could read my brief Prism review. Here are a few links that can help you get started with Prism:
- What is Mozilla Prism? – a short review
(with instructions to run from behind a proxy) - Google Gadget for Mac/Linux with Prism
Prism probably won’t be all things to all people, but if your browsing style mimics remotely to my style you are probably already nodding your head. Prism lets me keep my usual web applications open or atleast be available on my desktop when I need to get to them. I don’t have to worry about signing back into every one of them when I have to restart my Firefox browser multiple times a day.
I have found in the past that when I share my ideas or the way I do things, most often, I usually receive better ones from you. In the same spirit, I am going to share the list of web applications I have started using on my Desktop. I am hoping to spur a discussion in the comments to find what other web applications would be best suited.
Top Prism Applications
- Google Reader – Although I miss the Greasemonkey scripts that add functionality, it is very convenient to open and close Google Reader like a desktop application.
- Remember the Milk – I use the Remember the Milk for Google Gadget url with Prism to get a desktop app that’s very functional and easy to access. Use this url to access Remember the Milk to get the Google gadget version. http://www.rememberthemilk.com/services/modules/googleig/ . You could even try the mobile version or the regular website interface of that’s your thing.
- Google Talk Gadget – I prefer the Google Talk gadget over the GChat option available within Gmail. If you have a preferred IM like Digsby (Digsby Review), then you won’t need this. But, if you are stuck on a linux machine like me with the usual IM client’s proxy setting not working, then you’ll love this option. You could also run GTalk gadget in Prism. Read all about it in the link.
- Evernote/Google Notebook – Evernote is one of my recent addition to Prism web apps. I like to have this running in a separate window so I can just copy and paste any notes into it. If you haven’t seen it yet, I have written a short Evernote review last week. If you are a Google Notebook user, you could use that in Prism too.
- Passpack: Passpack is an excellent online password manager and is a great candidate for me to run on Prism. I do miss the use of the PassPack bookmarklet when I run it in Prism but the convenience of having atleast the passwords anytime I need it is heavenly. (Passpack Review)
- Google Calendar: If you are a Google Calendar user, you can run the full version of it in Prism. Or, you could use the url from the Mini Google Calendar that you may be running in your sidebar.
- Mint: Mint is a personal finance application that can aggregate transactions from all your bank accounts and credit card accounts and show you in an easy to digest format. I find it another great tool to have it in my desktop check at various times of the day.
- Any Google app: Google has a suite of useful web applications available and you can create a Prism application for any of them and access them as if they were a desktop application.
As you can see depending on what web applications you use, you can create Prism application for it. The sky is the limit. 
Prism, built on our favorite Firefox technology, doesn’t support installing extensions at the moment even though it is coming soon. I have found blog posts indicating that some folks have successfully installed some Firefox extensions in Prism but I haven’t been able to yet.
Why is Gmail missing in the list?
The moment you can add Firefox extensions like Greasemonkey to Prism, the range of web applications I can see myself using is increasing two-fold. That is exactly why you’ll find Gmail missing in this list. I have gotten too addicted with the Stylish script Gmail redesigned, that I have decided to keep it in my browser for now.
I am looking forward to suggestions and ideas for web applications best suited for Prism from you and very interested to hear what you run on Prism.
Using this tool for apps like RTM is a really cool thing to do. Nice list!
Syahid A.s last blog post..Recover Deleted Files with Glary Undelete
Thanks Syahid! RTM is a winner in the Webware awards too.. no wonder, right! 🙂
I would love to try Prism. Unfortunately it doesnt work in my hostel.
Madhur Kapoors last blog post..Prison Break mobile game to be out in June
Earlier also you talked much about Prism. When I was at home, I didn’t get a chance to try it out. Now at college, it is all blocked. 🙁
Perhaps in a few weeks time when I get back home again, this time I will certainly not miss it.
Thanks for the information.
🙂
Nice list of apps, never used the Prism. Good to see RTM in the list.
Seems to be lacking the features shown on the site… Maybe it just didn’t install correctly for me.
Davids last blog post..WordPress Plugin: Twitter Blaster
Very good list. I barely using 1-2 of them, and not that consistently. I think a lot of times we will only end up using something if we give it a try and find out how good of an app it is. =)
ck.. you totally nailed it. I end up sticking with 1-2 out of 10 new apps/webapps I try but wouldn’t have found the 1/2 without trying the 10. 🙂 Prism has a great future and am excited to see its development.
if you use winamp Ajaxamp is my main prism killer app.
it allows you to control winamp over a network, i have my desktop hooked up to surround sound, and control my media via laptop
i havent tried it out yet, but greyhound is supposed to do the same thing
for linux and amarok.
also pandora radio and a paint program that is very feature rich, its quickly replacing photoshop for me because of how fast it loads. (now ive lost the URL…and i cant seem to find out how to look for it, prism should allow you to edit and view url’s and change icons…beta, soon enough)
very cool post! thanks