MozillaWiki - User contributions [en]

Prism

2007-11-13T16:03:14Z

Realgt: /* User Contributed Bundles */ removed broken espnradio webapp :C

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 "[http://www.hawkwings.net/2006/05/13/a-dedicated-distraction-free-browser-for-gmail/ 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.

<div class="note">WebRunner has become [http://labs.mozilla.com/2007/10/prism/ Prism], a Mozilla Labs project. Find more discussion in the Prism [https://labs.mozilla.com/forum/index.php/board,16.0.html user feedback forum].</div>

== Prism / SSB Objectives ==
Looking at what has already been done and discussed about desktop/webapp integration, the following is a suggested roadmap for SSB experimentation:
* '''Separate process:''' When the webapp goes down or locks up, I don’t want anything else affected. Thankfully, Firefox does have session restore, but that is beside the point. When I open many tabs and have several webapps running in a browser, things get slow and unstable after a day or two.
* '''Minimal UI:''' A generic browser UI is not needed for webapps. If any UI is present, make it specific to the webapp I am using.
* '''Basic desktop integration:''' Create shortcuts to start the webapp, add ability to show specialized icons in the tray or dock and ability to display notifications.
* '''Platform with extensions:''' I don’t want to download a full browser runtime for each webapp. I do want to be able to add some custom code/features that are not directly supported in the webapp. I should be able to install one runtime and then get packages or extensions for each webapp. Think Firefox extensions or Greasemonkey scripts. These extensions should be able to tweak the SSB UI as well.
* '''Open external links in real browser:''' If I click a link in the webapp that opens a new site, don’t change my webapp browser window. Open all external links in my default/real browser.

* [[Prism/FAQ | Prism FAQ]]

== Current Features ==
* Window title tracking
* Context menu for basic clipboard and selection operations
* Simple Print support via context menu
* About support via context menu which is useful for checking the XULRunner runtime version
* Launch Prism with commandline parameters to host specific webapps
* Web application profile support - parameters for a web app can be saved to an INI-style *.webapp file
* Support for webapp owned popup windows - some email webapps can use a popup to compose email
* Show float-over link destinations in the statusbar so users can see where the link will take them
* Support download manager
* Support for inline spellcheck and suggestions on context menu
* A tool to create new webapp profiles so new webapps can be installed from Prism
* An extension to allow Firefox to create webapp profiles since most of this process starts in the browser

== Wishlist ==
* Add Taskbar icon representation option for the web applications.
* Add one instance behavior in order for the shortcuts to bring the web app to view rather than open a second window.
* Add menus for page setup, open profile and work offline
* Add support for form field autocompletion, like Firefox
* Enable extension support so Prism can be tweaked or enhanced. Also, webapps themselves can be tweaked by extensions
* Create some form of adjusting preferences (about:config?). For instance, I had to add the code below in webruner-prefs.js to adjust proxy

pref("network.proxy.autoconfig_url", "http://autoproxy.url.pac");
pref("network.proxy.type", 2)

::: using a parameter in the .webapp file would be the best solution :

proxy=http://myname:mypassword@myproxy:3128/

* Add url/domain/subdomain restriction (external links won't work) ''give more detail on the discussion page''
* Add ability to open external links with other browsers (Firefox/Konqueror/IE/etc.) ''this should be working now - give more detail on the discussion page''
* Add ability to have entire software and webapp run from a USB memory device for roaming use.
* Possibility of full screen mode
* Find box
* Navigation with Alt + mouse scroll wheel is working, even if navigation is disabled in webapp.ini. Maybe it should be like in firefox Shift + mouse scroll wheel when navigation is enabled.
* Navigation with mouse gestures. A left-click, hold and move cursor to the left would signify a Back page request on a left-click, hold and move cursor to the right would be forward. Others such as to the top left corner to signify minimize window. This would enable the use of touch-screen kiosks without keyboard or mouse attached.
* <del>More robust command line handling. It would be nice be able to simply type one of these:
webrunner gmail.webapp
webrunner https://mail.google.com/mail</del> - Nope
* Updater like firefox that tells you when a new version of webrunner has been released.
* Add something to configure and block advertisement.
* Back, forward (history) and reload buttons are necessary.
* Support for increasing and decreasing text size (ctrl++ and ctrl--)
* Menu option - 'Preferences'
* Configuration option to sandbox a webapp so it doesn't share cookies with other webapps in the same Prism. This could allow multiple Google apps to be open with different accounts (a@gmail.com Gmail; b@msn.com for Reader; c@hostedgmail.com for Hosted Gmail).
* Detection of window close ( user clicks the X button ) with JavaScript. Existing ways to detect browser closure are not reliable and in the context of an app it is essential. Detection of window minimize/restore might be useful as well ( like in a real desktop app... )
* Better shell integration: Most options should be accessible via command line and --help should print out something usable.
* Add ability to configure/clear private data (cookies, history, passwords, etc.)

== Web Application Bundles ==
A web application [[Prism/Bundle | bundle]] is a zip archive that holds a [[Prism/Config | configuration]] file, icons and an optional webapp JS [[Prism/Scripting | script]]. The profile can be used to launch and install the webapp in Prism:

<code>prism -webapp [webapp-bundle]</code>

Whenever a web application has been launched / installed using the above command line and the webapp [[Prism/Config | configuration]] has an '''ID''' parameter, the web application is unpacked into the Prism profile folder and can be launched directly using:

<code>prism -webapp [webapp-id]</code>

Here is a simple [[Prism/Bundle#HowTo | how-to]] for building a basic web application bundle.

See: [[Prism/Bundle]]

== Web Application Configuration ==
A webapp bundle should contain a webapp.ini [[Prism/Config | configuration]] file. The configuration file is a simple, INI-style text file that specifies some parameters about a web application.

See: [[Prism/Config]]

== Web Application Script ==
Some Prism-based web applications may want to tweak the behavior or add desktop-ish features to the webapp. Prism supports a simple [[Prism/Scripting | scripting]] system that can be used to add custom JS script to the Prism chrome [[Prism/HostWindow | host]], but not the webcontent itself.

<div class="note"> In the future, the webapp script may have lower privileges. We are looking into the security aspects of the higher privilege level.</div>

See: [[Prism/Scripting]]

== Web Application Styling ==
One of Prism's goals is to make web applications feel more like desktop applications. One way to make the illusion seem more real is to use styling (or theming). Prism supports a simple [[Prism/Styling | styling]] system that allows the user to add CSS files to the webapp [[Prism/Bundle | bundle]].

See: [[Prism/Styling]]

== Prism Host Window ==
Prism provides a simple, scaled down browser window for running web applications. Using [[Prism/Config | configuration]] files and webapp [[Prism/Scripting | scripting]], the host window can be modified.

See: [[Prism/HostWindow]]

== Installer ==
The installer should configure the OS to associate *.webapp files with Prism. This means that when you double-click or launch a *.webapp file, Prism is launched and automatically opens the web application.

Current Windows and Mac installs automatically associate *.webapp with Prism.

One interesting side effect is that after this change, you can select a link to a .webapp file in a Web Page and you get it run by Prism - in IE this runs anywhere, but this won't work in Firefox unless the webapp is being issued with an appropriate MIME type on the server: application/x-webrunner works (see [http://blondechris.com/www/gmail.webapp here] for an example).

== Installs ==
==== Latest version ====

* Install (Windows): [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/prism-0.8-win32.exe prism-0.8-win32.exe] (6 MB)
* Install (Mac): [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/prism-0.8-mac.dmg prism-0.8-mac.dmg] (17MB)
* Install (Linux): [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/prism-0.8-linux.tar.bz2 prism-0.8-linux.tar.bz2] (8MB)

==== Bookmarklet ====

* Prism Bookmarklet Experiment: [http://prismspectrum.com/bookmarklet/ prismspectrum.com/bookmarklet] (generates webapps on-the-fly via web)

==== Bundles ====

* Gmail: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/gmail.webapp gmail.webapp]
* Google Calendar: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/gcalendar.webapp gcalendar.webapp]
* Google Docs: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/gdocs.webapp gdocs.webapp]
* Google Groups: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/groups.webapp groups.webapp]
* Google Analytics: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/ganalytics.webapp ganalytics.webapp]
* Google Reader: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/greader.webapp greader.webapp]
* Facebook: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/facebook.webapp facebook.webapp]
* Twitter: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/twitter.webapp twitter.webapp]

==== User Contributed Bundles ====

* 32 online todo lists: [http://internetducttape.com/2007/10/05/distraction-free-gtd-32-todolist-apps/ Zip file with web apps for 32 online todo lists]
* AOL Email : [http://www.mediafire.com/?71btgnbjztc AoLEmail.webapp]
* BBC Radio Player [http://alf.hubmed.org/bbcradioplayer.webapp bbcradioplayer.webapp]
* Bloglines : [http://www.luckydisasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/bloglines.webapp bloglines.webapp]
* Bloglines Beta: [http://silenceisdefeat.org/~j0ker/beta.bloglines.webapp beta.bloglines.webapp]
* Chandler: [http://stuff.occident.us/chandler.webapp chandler.webapp]
* Flash Earth (integrates all major mapping sites) [http://www.thanscorner.info/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/FlashEarth.webapp FlashEarth.webapp]
* Flickr: [http://william.rawls.googlepages.com/flickr.webapp flickr.webapp]
* Gollum Wikipedia Browser in english:[http://atomic1fire.googlepages.com/Gollum-en.webapp Gollum_en.webapp]
* Google Notebook: [http://william.rawls.googlepages.com/gnote.webapp gnote.webapp]
* Google Page Creator: [http://www.luckydisasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/google_pagecreator.webapp google_pagecreator.webapp]
* Google Webmaster Tools: [http://www.luckydisasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/google_webmastertools.webapp google_webmastertools.webapp]
* GrandCentral Inbox: [http://william.rawls.googlepages.com/grandc.webapp grandc.webapp] (NOTE: GrandCentral requires the Flash plugin. Only way I found to add the flash plugin to WebRunner was to copy my plugins folder from firefox to the webrunner folder. Not the cleanest, but it got all my plugins at once)
* Meebo: [http://thanscorner.info/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/meebo.webapp meebo.webapp]
* Miro Guide: [http://silenceisdefeat.org/~j0ker/miroguide.webapp miroguide.webapp]
* Remember The Milk: [http://www.betelgeuse.ch/~mgrueter/prism/rtm.webapp rtm.webapp] (NOTE: Should work with Google Gears)
* Rsizr Image Editor [http://www.blogscooper.com/webapps/Rsizr.webapp rsizr.webapp]
* [http://www.slimtimer.com SlimTimer] Client [http://bryce.schoberfamily.com/files/slimtimer.webapp slimtimer.webapp] a very useful time-tracking tool with a "slim" client
* SpagoBI [http://www.altic.org/demo/spagobi.webapp spagobi.webapp] a Web collaborative Business Intelligence platform
* studiVZ: [http://www.betelgeuse.ch/~mgrueter/prism/studivz.webapp studivz.webapp]
* Weightwatchers.com Plan Manager : [http://www.imisty.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/weightwatchers.webapp weightwatchers.webapp]
* Yahoo! Mail: [http://www.thingsthemselves.com/webrunner/ymail.webapp ymail.webapp] (note that this fakes a Firefox user agent string while running, which may affect other running web applications.)

== Contributing ==
* [http://svn.mozilla.org/projects/webrunner/ Source code in SVN]
* Bugzilla (for bugs and suggestions) [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/buglist.cgi?query_format=advanced&product=Mozilla+Labs&component=Prism&resolution=---&chfieldto=Now open bugs], [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/enter_bug.cgi?product=Mozilla%Labs&component=Prism enter new bug]

== Blog Posts ==
[http://thanscorner.info/archives/2007/mozilla-webrunner-07 ThansCorner: Mozilla WebRunner 0.7] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2006/11/site-specific-browers/ Site Specific Browsers] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/03/site-specific-browser-webrunner/ WebRunner] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/03/site-specific-browser-using-webrunner/ Using WebRunner] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/06/webrunner-gears-offline-desktop-reader/ WebRunner + Gears = Offline Desktop Reader] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/07/webrunner-05-now-with-more-power/ WebRunner 0.5] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/07/webrunner-05-mac-support/ WebRunner 0.5 - Mac Support] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/07/webrunner-05-linux-install/ WebRunner 0.5 - Linux Install] 
[http://indigoflats.blogspot.com/2007/10/webrunner-google-reader-and-google.html WebRunner, Google Reader, and Google Notebook] 
[http://internetducttape.com/2007/10/05/distraction-free-gtd-32-todolist-apps/ Distraction Free GTD - 32+ web app files for online todo lists] 
[http://www.blogscooper.com/Mozilla-WebRunner-a-one-window-tabless-browser-with-no-URL-bar/ Mozilla WebRunner: a one-window, tabless browser with no URL bar] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/10/webrunner-becomes-prism-a-mozilla-labs-project/ WebRunner becomes Prism - A Mozilla Labs Project] 
[http://labs.mozilla.com/2007/10/prism/ Mozilla Labs: Prism] 
[http://blog.mozilla.com/faaborg/2007/10/24/prism/ Alex Faaborg: Prism] 
[http://www.blogscooper.com/Mozilla-Prism-Bringing-Web-Apps-to-the-Desktop/ Mozilla Prism: Bringing Web Apps to the Desktop] 
[http://abraham.wordpress.com/2007/10/29/mozilla-prism-portable/ Mozilla Prism Portable (Spanish)]

Prism

2007-10-26T05:17:19Z

Realgt: /* Blog Posts */ added blog post

WebRunner is a simple XULRunner based browser that hosts web applications without the normal web browser user interface. WebRunner 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 accoutrement's of a normal web browser. Some people have called it a "[http://www.hawkwings.net/2006/05/13/a-dedicated-distraction-free-browser-for-gmail/ 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.

== WebRunner / SSB Objectives ==
Looking at what has already been done and discussed about desktop/webapp integration, the following is a suggested roadmap for SSB experimentation:
* '''Separate process:''' When the webapp goes down or locks up, I don’t want anything else affected. Thankfully, Firefox does have session restore, but that is beside the point. When I open many tabs and have several webapps running in a browser, things get slow and unstable after a day or two.
* '''Minimal UI:''' A generic browser UI is not needed for webapps. If any UI is present, make it specific to the webapp I am using.
* '''Basic desktop integration:''' Create shortcuts to start the webapp, add ability to show specialized icons in the tray or dock and ability to display notifications.
* '''Platform with extensions:''' I don’t want to download a full browser runtime for each webapp. I do want to be able to add some custom code/features that are not directly supported in the webapp. I should be able to install one runtime and then get packages or extensions for each webapp. Think Firefox extensions or Greasemonkey scripts. These extensions should be able to tweak the SSB UI as well.
* '''Open external links in real browser:''' If I click a link in the webapp that opens a new site, don’t change my webapp browser window. Open all external links in my default/real browser.

* [[WebRunner:Planning | WebRunner Planning Whiteboard]]
* [[WebRunner:FAQ | WebRunner FAQ]]

== Current Features ==
* Window title tracking
* Context menu for basic clipboard and selection operations
* Simple Print support via context menu
* About support via context menu which is useful for checking the XULRunner runtime version
* Launch Webrunner with commandline parameters to host specific webapps
* Web application profile support - parameters for a web app can be saved to an INI-style *.webapp file
* Support for webapp owned popup windows - some email webapps can use a popup to compose email
* Show float-over link destinations in the statusbar so users can see where the link will take them
* Support download manager

== Wishlist ==
* Add Taskbar icon representation option for the web applications.
* Add one instance behavior in order for the shortcuts to bring the web app to view rather than open a second window.
* Add menus for page setup, open profile and work offline
* Add support for inline spellcheck and suggestions on context menu
* Add support for form field autocompletion, like Firefox
* Enable extension support so WebRunner can be tweaked or enhanced. Also, webapps themselves can be tweaked by extensions
* Create an tool to create new webapp profiles so new webapps can be installed from WebRunner
* Create an extension to allow Firefox to create webapp profiles since most of this process starts in the browser
* Create some form of adjusting preferences (about:config?). For instance, I had to add the code below in webruner-prefs.js to adjust proxy

pref("network.proxy.autoconfig_url", "http://autoproxy.url.pac");
pref("network.proxy.type", 2)

::: using a parameter in the .webapp file would be the best solution :

proxy=http://myname:mypassword@myproxy:3128/

* Add url/domain/subdomain restriction (external links won't work) ''give more detail on the discussion page''
* Add ability to open external links with other browsers (Firefox/Konqueror/IE/etc.) ''this should be working now - give more detail on the discussion page''
* Add ability to have entire software and webapp run from a USB memory device for roaming use.
* Possibility of full screen mode
* Find box
* Navigation with Alt + mouse scroll wheel is working, even if navigation is disabled in webapp.ini. Maybe it should be like in firefox Shift + mouse scroll wheel when navigation is enabled.
* More robust command line handling. It would be nice be able to simply type one of these:
webrunner gmail.webapp
webrunner https://mail.google.com/mail
* Updater like firefox that tells you when a new version of webrunner has been released.
* Add something to configure and block advertisement.

== Security ==

Webapp bundles, as defined today, can and usually do include a JS (webapp.js) which runs with system privileges. This should be removed, so that starting a webapp bundle does not imply handing over your machine and all the data on it to whoever created or modified the bundle. Ideally, webapp bundles should not be able to do more than a normal webapp can, just run in a slightly different UI (no menu etc.) and in their own process.

== Web Application Bundles ==
A web application [[WebRunner:Bundle | bundle]] is a zip archive that holds a [[WebRunner:Config | configuration]] file, icons and an optional webapp JS [[WebRunner:Scripting | script]]. The profile can be used to launch and install the webapp in WebRunner:

<code>webrunner -webapp [webapp-bundle]</code>

Whenever a web application has been launched / installed using the above command line and the webapp [[WebRunner:Config | configuration]] has an '''ID''' parameter, the web application is unpacked into the WebRunner profile folder and can be launched directly using:

<code>webrunner -webapp [webapp-id]</code>

Here is a simple [[WebRunner:Bundle#HowTo | how-to]] for building a basic web application bundle.

See: [[WebRunner:Bundle]]

== Web Application Configuration ==
A webapp bundle should contain a webapp.ini [[WebRunner:Config | configuration]] file. The configuration file is a simple, INI-style text file that specifies some parameters about a web application.

See: [[WebRunner:Config]]

== Web Application Script ==
Some WebRunner-based web applications may want to tweak the behavior or add desktop-ish features to the webapp. WebRunner supports a simple [[WebRunner:Scripting | scripting]] system that can be used to add custom JS script to the WebRunner chrome [[WebRunner:HostWindow | host]], but not the webcontent itself.

See: [[WebRunner:Scripting]]

== WebRunner Host Window ==
WebRunner provides a simple, scaled down browser window for running web applications. Using [[WebRunner:Config | configuration]] files and webapp [[WebRunner:Scripting | scripting]], the host window can be modified.

See: [[WebRunner:HostWindow]]

== Installer ==
The installer should configure the OS to associate *.webapp files with WebRunner. This means that when you double-click or launch a *.webapp file, WebRunner is launched and automatically opens the web application.

Current Windows and Mac installs automatically associate *.webapp with WebRunner.

One interesting side efect is that after this change, you can select a link to a .webapp file in a Web Page and you get it run by webrunner - in IE this runs anywhere, but this won't work in Firefox unless the webapp is being issued with an appropriate MIME type on the server: application/x-webrunner works (see [http://blondechris.com/www/gmail.webapp here] for an example).

== Installs ==
==== Latest version ====

* Install (Windows): [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/webrunner-0.7-win32.exe webrunner-0.7-win32.exe] (6 MB)
* Install (Mac): [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/webrunner-0.7-mac.dmg webrunner-0.7-mac.dmg] (17MB)
* Install (Linux): [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/webrunner-0.7-linux.tar.bz2 webrunner-0.7-linux.tar.bz2] (8MB)

==== Bundles ====

* Gmail: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/gmail.webapp gmail.webapp]
* Google Calendar: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/gcalendar.webapp gcalendar.webapp]
* Google Docs: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/gdocs.webapp gdocs.webapp]
* Google Groups: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/groups.webapp groups.webapp]
* Google Analytics: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/ganalytics.webapp ganalytics.webapp]
* Google Reader: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/greader.webapp greader.webapp]
* Facebook: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/facebook.webapp facebook.webapp]
* Twitter: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/twitter.webapp twitter.webapp]

==== User Contributed Bundles ====

* Chandler: [http://stuff.occident.us/chandler.webapp chandler.webapp]
* 32 online todo lists: [http://internetducttape.com/2007/10/05/distraction-free-gtd-32-todolist-apps/ Zip file with web apps for 32 online todo lists]
* Yahoo! Mail: [http://www.thingsthemselves.com/webrunner/ymail.webapp ymail.webapp] (note that this fakes a Firefox user agent string while running, which may affect other running web applications.)
* Meebo: [http://thanscorner.info/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/meebo.webapp meebo.webapp]
* Bloglines : [http://www.luckydisasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/bloglines.webapp bloglines.webapp]
* Bloglines Beta: [http://silenceisdefeat.org/~j0ker/beta.bloglines.webapp beta.bloglines.webapp]
* Google Page Creator: [http://www.luckydisasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/google_pagecreator.webapp google_pagecreator.webapp]
* Google Webmaster Tools: [http://www.luckydisasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/google_webmastertools.webapp google_webmastertools.webapp]
* Miro Guide: [http://silenceisdefeat.org/~j0ker/miroguide.webapp miroguide.webapp]
* BBC Radio Player [http://alf.hubmed.org/bbcradioplayer.webapp bbcradioplayer.webapp]
* Weightwatchers.com Plan Manager : [http://www.imisty.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/weightwatchers.webapp weightwatchers.webapp]
* ESPN Radio: [http://www.blogscooper.com/webapps/espnradio.webapp espnradio.webapp]
* Rsizr Image Editor [http://www.blogscooper.com/webapps/Rsizr.webapp rsizr.webapp]
* Flash Earth (integrates all major mapping sites) [http://www.thanscorner.info/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/FlashEarth.webapp FlashEarth.webapp]

== Contributing ==
* [http://svn.mozilla.org/projects/webrunner/ Source code in SVN]
* Bugzilla (for bugs and suggestions) [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/buglist.cgi?query_format=advanced&product=Other+Applications&component=Prism&resolution=---&chfieldto=Now open bugs], [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/enter_bug.cgi?product=Other%20Applications&component=Prism enter new bug]

== Blog Posts ==
[http://thanscorner.info/archives/2007/mozilla-webrunner-07 ThansCorner: Mozilla WebRunner 0.7] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2006/11/site-specific-browers/ Site Specific Browsers] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/03/site-specific-browser-webrunner/ WebRunner] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/03/site-specific-browser-using-webrunner/ Using WebRunner] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/06/webrunner-gears-offline-desktop-reader/ WebRunner + Gears = Offline Desktop Reader] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/07/webrunner-05-now-with-more-power/ WebRunner 0.5] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/07/webrunner-05-mac-support/ WebRunner 0.5 - Mac Support] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/07/webrunner-05-linux-install/ WebRunner 0.5 - Linux Install] 
[http://indigoflats.blogspot.com/2007/10/webrunner-google-reader-and-google.html WebRunner, Google Reader, and Google Notebook] 
[http://internetducttape.com/2007/10/05/distraction-free-gtd-32-todolist-apps/ Distraction Free GTD - 32+ web app files for online todo lists] 
[http://www.blogscooper.com/Mozilla-WebRunner-a-one-window-tabless-browser-with-no-URL-bar/ Mozilla WebRunner: a one-window, tabless browser with no URL bar]
[http://labs.mozilla.com/2007/10/prism/ Mozilla Labs: Prism]
[http://blog.mozilla.com/faaborg/2007/10/24/prism/ Alex Faaborg: Prism]

[http://www.blogscooper.com/Mozilla-Prism-Bringing-Web-Apps-to-the-Desktop/ Mozilla Prism: Bringing Web Apps to the Desktop]

Prism

2007-10-23T15:21:03Z

Realgt: /* Wishlist */ added my wish

WebRunner is a simple XULRunner based browser that hosts web applications without the normal web browser user interface. WebRunner 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 accoutrement's of a normal web browser. Some people have called it a "[http://www.hawkwings.net/2006/05/13/a-dedicated-distraction-free-browser-for-gmail/ 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.

== WebRunner / SSB Objectives ==
Looking at what has already been done and discussed about desktop/webapp integration, the following is a suggested roadmap for SSB experimentation:
* '''Separate process:''' When the webapp goes down or locks up, I don’t want anything else affected. Thankfully, Firefox does have session restore, but that is beside the point. When I open many tabs and have several webapps running in a browser, things get slow and unstable after a day or two.
* '''Minimal UI:''' A generic browser UI is not needed for webapps. If any UI is present, make it specific to the webapp I am using.
* '''Basic desktop integration:''' Create shortcuts to start the webapp, add ability to show specialized icons in the tray or dock and ability to display notifications.
* '''Platform with extensions:''' I don’t want to download a full browser runtime for each webapp. I do want to be able to add some custom code/features that are not directly supported in the webapp. I should be able to install one runtime and then get packages or extensions for each webapp. Think Firefox extensions or Greasemonkey scripts. These extensions should be able to tweak the SSB UI as well.
* '''Open external links in real browser:''' If I click a link in the webapp that opens a new site, don’t change my webapp browser window. Open all external links in my default/real browser.

* [[WebRunner:Planning | WebRunner Planning Whiteboard]]
* [[WebRunner:FAQ | WebRunner FAQ]]

== Current Features ==
* Window title tracking
* Context menu for basic clipboard and selection operations
* Simple Print support via context menu
* About support via context menu which is useful for checking the XULRunner runtime version
* Launch Webrunner with commandline parameters to host specific webapps
* Web application profile support - parameters for a web app can be saved to an INI-style *.webapp file
* Support for webapp owned popup windows - some email webapps can use a popup to compose email
* Show float-over link destinations in the statusbar so users can see where the link will take them
* Support download manager

== Wishlist ==
* Add Taskbar icon representation option for the web applications.
* Add one instance behavior in order for the shortcuts to bring the web app to view rather than open a second window.
* Add menus for page setup, open profile and work offline
* Add support for inline spellcheck and suggestions on context menu
* Add support for form field autocompletion, like Firefox
* Enable extension support so WebRunner can be tweaked or enhanced. Also, webapps themselves can be tweaked by extensions
* Create an tool to create new webapp profiles so new webapps can be installed from WebRunner
* Create an extension to allow Firefox to create webapp profiles since most of this process starts in the browser
* Create some form of adjusting preferences (about:config?). For instance, I had to add the code below in webruner-prefs.js to adjust proxy

pref("network.proxy.autoconfig_url", "http://autoproxy.url.pac");
pref("network.proxy.type", 2)

::: using a parameter in the .webapp file would be the best solution :

proxy=http://myname:mypassword@myproxy:3128/

* Add url/domain/subdomain restriction (external links won't work) ''give more detail on the discussion page''
* Add ability to open external links with other browsers (Firefox/Konqueror/IE/etc.) ''this should be working now - give more detail on the discussion page''
* Add ability to have entire software and webapp run from a USB memory device for roaming use.
* Possibility of full screen mode
* Find box
* Navigation with Alt + mouse scroll wheel is working, even if navigation is disabled in webapp.ini. Maybe it should be like in firefox Shift + mouse scroll wheel when navigation is enabled.
* More robust command line handling. It would be nice be able to simply type one of these:
webrunner gmail.webapp
webrunner https://mail.google.com/mail
* updater like firefox that tells you when a new version of webrunner has been released

== Security ==

Webapp bundles, as defined today, can and usually do include a JS (webapp.js) which runs with system privileges. This should be removed, so that starting a webapp bundle does not imply handing over your machine and all the data on it to whoever created or modified the bundle. Ideally, webapp bundles should not be able to do more than a normal webapp can, just run in a slightly different UI (no menu etc.) and in their own process.

== Web Application Bundles ==
A web application [[WebRunner:Bundle | bundle]] is a zip archive that holds a [[WebRunner:Config | configuration]] file, icons and an optional webapp JS [[WebRunner:Scripting | script]]. The profile can be used to launch and install the webapp in WebRunner:

<code>webrunner -webapp [webapp-bundle]</code>

Whenever a web application has been launched / installed using the above command line and the webapp [[WebRunner:Config | configuration]] has an '''ID''' parameter, the web application is unpacked into the WebRunner profile folder and can be launched directly using:

<code>webrunner -webapp [webapp-id]</code>

Here is a simple [[WebRunner:Bundle#HowTo | how-to]] for building a basic web application bundle.

See: [[WebRunner:Bundle]]

== Web Application Configuration ==
A webapp bundle should contain a webapp.ini [[WebRunner:Config | configuration]] file. The configuration file is a simple, INI-style text file that specifies some parameters about a web application.

See: [[WebRunner:Config]]

== Web Application Script ==
Some WebRunner-based web applications may want to tweak the behavior or add desktop-ish features to the webapp. WebRunner supports a simple [[WebRunner:Scripting | scripting]] system that can be used to add custom JS script to the WebRunner chrome [[WebRunner:HostWindow | host]], but not the webcontent itself.

See: [[WebRunner:Scripting]]

== WebRunner Host Window ==
WebRunner provides a simple, scaled down browser window for running web applications. Using [[WebRunner:Config | configuration]] files and webapp [[WebRunner:Scripting | scripting]], the host window can be modified.

See: [[WebRunner:HostWindow]]

== Installer ==
The installer should configure the OS to associate *.webapp files with WebRunner. This means that when you double-click or launch a *.webapp file, WebRunner is launched and automatically opens the web application.

Current Windows and Mac installs automatically associate *.webapp with WebRunner.

One interesting side efect is that after this change, you can select a link to a .webapp file in a Web Page and you get it run by webrunner - in IE this runs anywhere, but this won't work in Firefox unless the webapp is being issued with an appropriate MIME type on the server: application/x-webrunner works (see [http://blondechris.com/www/gmail.webapp here] for an example).

== Installs ==
==== Latest version ====

* Install (Windows): [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/webrunner-0.7-win32.exe webrunner-0.7-win32.exe] (6 MB)
* Install (Mac): [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/webrunner-0.7-mac.dmg webrunner-0.7-mac.dmg] (17MB)
* Install (Linux): [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/webrunner-0.7-linux.tar.bz2 webrunner-0.7-linux.tar.bz2] (8MB)

==== Bundles ====

* Gmail: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/gmail.webapp gmail.webapp]
* Google Calendar: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/gcalendar.webapp gcalendar.webapp]
* Google Docs: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/gdocs.webapp gdocs.webapp]
* Google Groups: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/groups.webapp groups.webapp]
* Google Analytics: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/ganalytics.webapp ganalytics.webapp]
* Google Reader: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/greader.webapp greader.webapp]
* Facebook: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/facebook.webapp facebook.webapp]
* Twitter: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/twitter.webapp twitter.webapp]

==== User Contributed Bundles ====

* Chandler: [http://stuff.occident.us/chandler.webapp chandler.webapp]
* 32 online todo lists: [http://internetducttape.com/2007/10/05/distraction-free-gtd-32-todolist-apps/ Zip file with web apps for 32 online todo lists]
* Yahoo! Mail: [http://www.thingsthemselves.com/webrunner/ymail.webapp ymail.webapp] (note that this fakes a Firefox user agent string while running, which may affect other running web applications.)
* Meebo: [http://thanscorner.info/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/meebo.webapp meebo.webapp]
* Bloglines : [http://www.luckydisasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/bloglines.webapp bloglines.webapp]
* Google Page Creator: [http://www.luckydisasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/google_pagecreator.webapp google_pagecreator.webapp]
* Google Webmaster Tools: [http://www.luckydisasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/google_webmastertools.webapp google_webmastertools.webapp]
* Miro Guide: [http://silenceisdefeat.org/~j0ker/miroguide.webapp miroguide.webapp]
* BBC Radio Player [http://alf.hubmed.org/bbcradioplayer.webapp bbcradioplayer.webapp]
* Weightwatchers.com Plan Manager : [http://www.imisty.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/weightwatchers.webapp weightwatchers.webapp]
* ESPN Radio: [http://www.blogscooper.com/webapps/espnradio.webapp espnradio.webapp]
* Rsizr Image Editor [http://www.blogscooper.com/webapps/Rsizr.webapp rsizr.webapp]
* Flash Earth (integrates all major mapping sites) [http://www.thanscorner.info/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/FlashEarth.webapp FlashEarth.webapp]

== Contributing ==
* [http://svn.mozilla.org/projects/webrunner/ Source code in SVN]
* Bugzilla (for bugs and suggestions) [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/buglist.cgi?query_format=advanced&product=Other+Applications&component=WebRunner&resolution=---&chfieldto=Now open bugs], [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/enter_bug.cgi?product=Other%20Applications&component=WebRunner enter new bug]

== Blog Posts ==
[http://thanscorner.info/archives/2007/mozilla-webrunner-07 ThansCorner: Mozilla WebRunner 0.7] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2006/11/site-specific-browers/ Site Specific Browsers] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/03/site-specific-browser-webrunner/ WebRunner] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/03/site-specific-browser-using-webrunner/ Using WebRunner] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/06/webrunner-gears-offline-desktop-reader/ WebRunner + Gears = Offline Desktop Reader] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/07/webrunner-05-now-with-more-power/ WebRunner 0.5] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/07/webrunner-05-mac-support/ WebRunner 0.5 - Mac Support] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/07/webrunner-05-linux-install/ WebRunner 0.5 - Linux Install] 
[http://indigoflats.blogspot.com/2007/10/webrunner-google-reader-and-google.html WebRunner, Google Reader, and Google Notebook] 
[http://internetducttape.com/2007/10/05/distraction-free-gtd-32-todolist-apps/ Distraction Free GTD - 32+ web app files for online todo lists] 
[http://www.blogscooper.com/Mozilla-WebRunner-a-one-window-tabless-browser-with-no-URL-bar/ Mozilla WebRunner: a one-window, tabless browser with no URL bar]

Prism

2007-10-19T19:59:55Z

Realgt: /* User Contributed Bundles */ added Flash Earth

WebRunner is a simple XULRunner based browser that hosts web applications without the normal web browser user interface. WebRunner 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 accoutrement's of a normal web browser. Some people have called it a "[http://www.hawkwings.net/2006/05/13/a-dedicated-distraction-free-browser-for-gmail/ 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.

== WebRunner / SSB Objectives ==
Looking at what has already been done and discussed about desktop/webapp integration, the following is a suggested roadmap for SSB experimentation:
* '''Separate process:''' When the webapp goes down or locks up, I don’t want anything else affected. Thankfully, Firefox does have session restore, but that is beside the point. When I open many tabs and have several webapps running in a browser, things get slow and unstable after a day or two.
* '''Minimal UI:''' A generic browser UI is not needed for webapps. If any UI is present, make it specific to the webapp I am using.
* '''Basic desktop integration:''' Create shortcuts to start the webapp, add ability to show specialized icons in the tray or dock and ability to display notifications.
* '''Platform with extensions:''' I don’t want to download a full browser runtime for each webapp. I do want to be able to add some custom code/features that are not directly supported in the webapp. I should be able to install one runtime and then get packages or extensions for each webapp. Think Firefox extensions or Greasemonkey scripts. These extensions should be able to tweak the SSB UI as well.
* '''Open external links in real browser:''' If I click a link in the webapp that opens a new site, don’t change my webapp browser window. Open all external links in my default/real browser.

* [[WebRunner:Planning | WebRunner Planning Whiteboard]]
* [[WebRunner:FAQ | WebRunner FAQ]]

== Current Features ==
* Window title tracking
* Context menu for basic clipboard and selection operations
* Simple Print support via context menu
* About support via context menu which is useful for checking the XULRunner runtime version
* Launch Webrunner with commandline parameters to host specific webapps
* Web application profile support - parameters for a web app can be saved to an INI-style *.webapp file
* Support for webapp owned popup windows - some email webapps can use a popup to compose email
* Show float-over link destinations in the statusbar so users can see where the link will take them
* Support download manager

== Wishlist ==
* Add Taskbar icon representation option for the web applications.
* Add one instance behavior in order for the shortcuts to bring the web app to view rather than open a second window.
* Add menus for page setup, open profile and work offline
* Add support for inline spellcheck and suggestions on context menu
* Add support for form field autocompletion, like Firefox
* Enable extension support so WebRunner can be tweaked or enhanced. Also, webapps themselves can be tweaked by extensions
* Create an tool to create new webapp profiles so new webapps can be installed from WebRunner
* Create an extension to allow Firefox to create webapp profiles since most of this process starts in the browser
* Create some form of adjusting preferences (about:config?). For instance, I had to add the code below in webruner-prefs.js to adjust proxy

pref("network.proxy.autoconfig_url", "http://autoproxy.url.pac");
pref("network.proxy.type", 2)

::: using a parameter in the .webapp file would be the best solution :

proxy=http://myname:mypassword@myproxy:3128/

* Add url/domain/subdomain restriction (external links won't work) ''give more detail on the discussion page''
* Add ability to open external links with other browsers (Firefox/Konqueror/IE/etc.) ''this should be working now - give more detail on the discussion page''
* Add ability to have entire software and webapp run from a USB memory device for roaming use.
* Possibility of full screen mode
* Find box
* Navigation with Alt + mouse scroll wheel is working, even if navigation is disabled in webapp.ini. Maybe it should be like in firefox Shift + mouse scroll wheel when navigation is enabled.
* More robust command line handling. It would be nice be able to simply type one of these:
webrunner gmail.webapp
webrunner https://mail.google.com/mail

== Security ==

Webapp bundles, as defined today, can and usually do include a JS (webapp.js) which runs with system privileges. This should be removed, so that starting a webapp bundle does not imply handing over your machine and all the data on it to whoever created or modified the bundle. Ideally, webapp bundles should not be able to do more than a normal webapp can, just run in a slightly different UI (no menu etc.) and in their own process.

== Web Application Bundles ==
A web application [[WebRunner:Bundle | bundle]] is a zip archive that holds a [[WebRunner:Config | configuration]] file, icons and an optional webapp JS [[WebRunner:Scripting | script]]. The profile can be used to launch and install the webapp in WebRunner:

<code>webrunner -webapp [webapp-bundle]</code>

Whenever a web application has been launched / installed using the above command line and the webapp [[WebRunner:Config | configuration]] has an '''ID''' parameter, the web application is unpacked into the WebRunner profile folder and can be launched directly using:

<code>webrunner -webapp [webapp-id]</code>

Here is a simple [[WebRunner:Bundle#HowTo | how-to]] for building a basic web application bundle.

See: [[WebRunner:Bundle]]

== Web Application Configuration ==
A webapp bundle should contain a webapp.ini [[WebRunner:Config | configuration]] file. The configuration file is a simple, INI-style text file that specifies some parameters about a web application.

See: [[WebRunner:Config]]

== Web Application Script ==
Some WebRunner-based web applications may want to tweak the behavior or add desktop-ish features to the webapp. WebRunner supports a simple [[WebRunner:Scripting | scripting]] system that can be used to add custom JS script to the WebRunner chrome [[WebRunner:HostWindow | host]], but not the webcontent itself.

See: [[WebRunner:Scripting]]

== WebRunner Host Window ==
WebRunner provides a simple, scaled down browser window for running web applications. Using [[WebRunner:Config | configuration]] files and webapp [[WebRunner:Scripting | scripting]], the host window can be modified.

See: [[WebRunner:HostWindow]]

== Installer ==
The installer should configure the OS to associate *.webapp files with WebRunner. This means that when you double-click or launch a *.webapp file, WebRunner is launched and automatically opens the web application.

Current Windows and Mac installs automatically associate *.webapp with WebRunner.

One interesting side efect is that after this change, you can select a link to a .webapp file in a Web Page and you get it run by webrunner - in IE this runs anywhere, but this won't work in Firefox unless the webapp is being issued with an appropriate MIME type on the server: application/x-webrunner works (see [http://blondechris.com/www/gmail.webapp here] for an example).

== Installs ==
==== Latest version ====

* Install (Windows): [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/webrunner-0.7-win32.exe webrunner-0.7-win32.exe] (6 MB)
* Install (Mac): [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/webrunner-0.7-mac.dmg webrunner-0.7-mac.dmg] (17MB)
* Install (Linux): [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/webrunner-0.7-linux.tar.bz2 webrunner-0.7-linux.tar.bz2] (8MB)

==== Bundles ====

* Gmail: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/gmail.webapp gmail.webapp]
* Google Calendar: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/gcalendar.webapp gcalendar.webapp]
* Google Docs: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/gdocs.webapp gdocs.webapp]
* Google Groups: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/groups.webapp groups.webapp]
* Google Analytics: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/ganalytics.webapp ganalytics.webapp]
* Google Reader: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/greader.webapp greader.webapp]
* Facebook: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/facebook.webapp facebook.webapp]
* Twitter: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/twitter.webapp twitter.webapp]

==== User Contributed Bundles ====

* Chandler: [http://stuff.occident.us/chandler.webapp chandler.webapp]
* 32 online todo lists: [http://internetducttape.com/2007/10/05/distraction-free-gtd-32-todolist-apps/ Zip file with web apps for 32 online todo lists]
* Yahoo! Mail: [http://www.thingsthemselves.com/webrunner/ymail.webapp ymail.webapp] (note that this fakes a Firefox user agent string while running, which may affect other running web applications.)
* Meebo: [http://thanscorner.info/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/meebo.webapp meebo.webapp]
* Bloglines : [http://www.luckydisasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/bloglines.webapp bloglines.webapp]
* Google Page Creator: [http://www.luckydisasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/google_pagecreator.webapp google_pagecreator.webapp]
* Google Webmaster Tools: [http://www.luckydisasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/google_webmastertools.webapp google_webmastertools.webapp]
* Miro Guide: [http://silenceisdefeat.org/~j0ker/miroguide.webapp miroguide.webapp]
* BBC Radio Player [http://alf.hubmed.org/bbcradioplayer.webapp bbcradioplayer.webapp]
* Weightwatchers.com Plan Manager : [http://www.imisty.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/weightwatchers.webapp weightwatchers.webapp]
* ESPN Radio: [http://www.blogscooper.com/webapps/espnradio.webapp espnradio.webapp]
* Rsizr Image Editor [http://www.blogscooper.com/webapps/Rsizr.webapp rsizr.webapp]
* Flash Earth (integrates all major mapping sites) [http://www.blogscooper.com/webapps/FlashEarth.webapp FlashEarth.webapp]

== Contributing ==
* [http://svn.mozilla.org/projects/webrunner/ Source code in SVN]
* Bugzilla (for bugs and suggestions) [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/buglist.cgi?query_format=advanced&product=Other+Applications&component=WebRunner&resolution=---&chfieldto=Now open bugs], [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/enter_bug.cgi?product=Other%20Applications&component=WebRunner enter new bug]

== Blog Posts ==
[http://thanscorner.info/archives/2007/mozilla-webrunner-07 ThansCorner: Mozilla WebRunner 0.7] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2006/11/site-specific-browers/ Site Specific Browsers] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/03/site-specific-browser-webrunner/ WebRunner] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/03/site-specific-browser-using-webrunner/ Using WebRunner] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/06/webrunner-gears-offline-desktop-reader/ WebRunner + Gears = Offline Desktop Reader] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/07/webrunner-05-now-with-more-power/ WebRunner 0.5] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/07/webrunner-05-mac-support/ WebRunner 0.5 - Mac Support] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/07/webrunner-05-linux-install/ WebRunner 0.5 - Linux Install] 
[http://indigoflats.blogspot.com/2007/10/webrunner-google-reader-and-google.html WebRunner, Google Reader, and Google Notebook] 
[http://internetducttape.com/2007/10/05/distraction-free-gtd-32-todolist-apps/ Distraction Free GTD - 32+ web app files for online todo lists] 
[http://www.blogscooper.com/Mozilla-WebRunner-a-one-window-tabless-browser-with-no-URL-bar/ Mozilla WebRunner: a one-window, tabless browser with no URL bar]

Prism/Bundle

2007-10-19T17:14:31Z

Realgt: added link to webrunner wiki page

==WebApp Bundle==
In addition to passing simple command line parameters, [http://wiki.mozilla.org/WebRunner WebRunner] can use a zipped bundle package to install a webapp. The bundle can hold additional resources currently limited to:
* Application INI settings
* Application icon
* Script for the application chrome, not the web content

==Installing a Bundle==
When WebRunner opens a webapp bundle it will unpack it into the '''webapps/{webapp-id}''' folder in your WebRunner profile. The web application may save other data into this folder. WebRunner will not overwrite or delete any extra data added to the folder. In fact, WebRunner saves some extra data itself - a file that holds some persistent UI data called ''localstore.json''.

<div class="note">The webapp must have an ID in order to be installed.</div>

When WebRunner is launched with a "-webapp [bundle]" command line, the bundle must first be unpacked before the web application is launched. This can slow the overall launch time and the unpacking is redundant if the bundle has been launched previously. This is why the preferred method of launching is to use the "-webapp [webapp-id]" command line, which looks for the previously installed (unpacked) web application in the WebRunner '''webapps/{webapp-id}''' folder. The web application is then launched without the unpacking overhead.

==HowTo==

Here is a simple way to build a basic web application bundle:

* Create file called webapp.ini that contains something like:
<pre>
[Parameters]
id=unique-app-id@unique-author-id.whatever
uri=http://[the-url-what-you-want-to-connect-to]/
status=yes
location=no
sidebar=no
navigation=no
</pre>
* Zip the file to [whatever].webapp
* Double-click the webapp bundle or use <code>webrunner -webapp [path-to-webapp]

Prism

2007-10-18T21:52:36Z

Realgt: /* User Contributed Bundles */ added Rsizr.webapp link

WebRunner is a simple XULRunner based browser that hosts web applications without the normal web browser user interface. WebRunner 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 accoutrement's of a normal web browser. Some people have called it a "[http://www.hawkwings.net/2006/05/13/a-dedicated-distraction-free-browser-for-gmail/ 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.

== WebRunner / SSB Objectives ==
Looking at what has already been done and discussed about desktop/webapp integration, the following is a suggested roadmap for SSB experimentation:
* '''Separate process:''' When the webapp goes down or locks up, I don’t want anything else affected. Thankfully, Firefox does have session restore, but that is beside the point. When I open many tabs and have several webapps running in a browser, things get slow and unstable after a day or two.
* '''Minimal UI:''' A generic browser UI is not needed for webapps. If any UI is present, make it specific to the webapp I am using.
* '''Basic desktop integration:''' Create shortcuts to start the webapp, add ability to show specialized icons in the tray or dock and ability to display notifications.
* '''Platform with extensions:''' I don’t want to download a full browser runtime for each webapp. I do want to be able to add some custom code/features that are not directly supported in the webapp. I should be able to install one runtime and then get packages or extensions for each webapp. Think Firefox extensions or Greasemonkey scripts. These extensions should be able to tweak the SSB UI as well.
* '''Open external links in real browser:''' If I click a link in the webapp that opens a new site, don’t change my webapp browser window. Open all external links in my default/real browser.

* [[WebRunner:Planning | WebRunner Planning Whiteboard]]
* [[WebRunner:FAQ | WebRunner FAQ]]

== Current Features ==
* Window title tracking
* Context menu for basic clipboard and selection operations
* Simple Print support via context menu
* About support via context menu which is useful for checking the XULRunner runtime version
* Launch Webrunner with commandline parameters to host specific webapps
* Web application profile support - parameters for a web app can be saved to an INI-style *.webapp file
* Support for webapp owned popup windows - some email webapps can use a popup to compose email
* Show float-over link destinations in the statusbar so users can see where the link will take them
* Support download manager

== Wishlist ==
* Add Taskbar icon representation option for the web applications.
* Add one instance behavior in order for the shortcuts to bring the web app to view rather than open a second window.
* Add menus for page setup, open profile and work offline
* Add support for inline spellcheck and suggestions on context menu
* Add support for form field autocompletion, like Firefox
* Enable extension support so WebRunner can be tweaked or enhanced. Also, webapps themselves can be tweaked by extensions
* Create an tool to create new webapp profiles so new webapps can be installed from WebRunner
* Create an extension to allow Firefox to create webapp profiles since most of this process starts in the browser
* Create some form of adjusting preferences (about:config?). For instance, I had to add the code below in webruner-prefs.js to adjust proxy

pref("network.proxy.autoconfig_url", "http://autoproxy.url.pac");
pref("network.proxy.type", 2)

::: using a parameter in the .webapp file would be the best solution :

proxy=http://myname:mypassword@myproxy:3128/

* Add url/domain/subdomain restriction (external links won't work) ''give more detail on the discussion page''
* Add ability to open external links with other browsers (Firefox/Konqueror/IE/etc.) ''this should be working now - give more detail on the discussion page''
* Add ability to have entire software and webapp run from a USB memory device for roaming use.
* Possibility of full screen mode
* Find box
* Navigation with Alt + mouse scroll wheel is working, even if navigation is disabled in webapp.ini. Maybe it should be like in firefox Shift + mouse scroll wheel when navigation is enabled.
* More robust command line handling. It would be nice be able to simply type one of these:
webrunner gmail.webapp
webrunner https://mail.google.com/mail

== Security ==

Webapp bundles, as defined today, can and usually do include a JS (webapp.js) which runs with system privileges. This should be removed, so that starting a webapp bundle does not imply handing over your machine and all the data on it to whoever created or modified the bundle. Ideally, webapp bundles should not be able to do more than a normal webapp can, just run in a slightly different UI (no menu etc.) and in their own process.

== Web Application Bundles ==
A web application [[WebRunner:Bundle | bundle]] is a zip archive that holds a [[WebRunner:Config | configuration]] file, icons and an optional webapp JS [[WebRunner:Scripting | script]]. The profile can be used to launch and install the webapp in WebRunner:

<code>webrunner -webapp [webapp-bundle]</code>

Whenever a web application has been launched / installed using the above command line and the webapp [[WebRunner:Config | configuration]] has an '''ID''' parameter, the web application is unpacked into the WebRunner profile folder and can be launched directly using:

<code>webrunner -webapp [webapp-id]</code>

Here is a simple [[WebRunner:Bundle#HowTo | how-to]] for building a basic web application bundle.

See: [[WebRunner:Bundle]]

== Web Application Configuration ==
A webapp bundle should contain a webapp.ini [[WebRunner:Config | configuration]] file. The configuration file is a simple, INI-style text file that specifies some parameters about a web application.

See: [[WebRunner:Config]]

== Web Application Script ==
Some WebRunner-based web applications may want to tweak the behavior or add desktop-ish features to the webapp. WebRunner supports a simple [[WebRunner:Scripting | scripting]] system that can be used to add custom JS script to the WebRunner chrome [[WebRunner:HostWindow | host]], but not the webcontent itself.

See: [[WebRunner:Scripting]]

== WebRunner Host Window ==
WebRunner provides a simple, scaled down browser window for running web applications. Using [[WebRunner:Config | configuration]] files and webapp [[WebRunner:Scripting | scripting]], the host window can be modified.

See: [[WebRunner:HostWindow]]

== Installer ==
The installer should configure the OS to associate *.webapp files with WebRunner. This means that when you double-click or launch a *.webapp file, WebRunner is launched and automatically opens the web application.

Current Windows and Mac installs automatically associate *.webapp with WebRunner.

One interesting side efect is that after this change, you can select a link to a .webapp file in a Web Page and you get it run by webrunner - in IE this runs anywhere, but this won't work in Firefox unless the webapp is being issued with an appropriate MIME type on the server: application/x-webrunner works (see [http://blondechris.com/www/gmail.webapp here] for an example).

== Installs ==
==== Latest version ====

* Install (Windows): [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/webrunner-0.7-win32.exe webrunner-0.7-win32.exe] (6 MB)
* Install (Mac): [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/webrunner-0.7-mac.dmg webrunner-0.7-mac.dmg] (17MB)
* Install (Linux): [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/webrunner-0.7-linux.tar.bz2 webrunner-0.7-linux.tar.bz2] (8MB)

==== Bundles ====

* Gmail: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/gmail.webapp gmail.webapp]
* Google Calendar: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/gcalendar.webapp gcalendar.webapp]
* Google Docs: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/gdocs.webapp gdocs.webapp]
* Google Groups: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/groups.webapp groups.webapp]
* Google Analytics: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/ganalytics.webapp ganalytics.webapp]
* Google Reader: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/greader.webapp greader.webapp]
* Facebook: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/facebook.webapp facebook.webapp]
* Twitter: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/twitter.webapp twitter.webapp]

==== User Contributed Bundles ====

* Chandler: [http://stuff.occident.us/chandler.webapp chandler.webapp]
* 32 online todo lists: [http://internetducttape.com/2007/10/05/distraction-free-gtd-32-todolist-apps/ Zip file with web apps for 32 online todo lists]
* Yahoo! Mail: [http://www.thingsthemselves.com/webrunner/ymail.webapp ymail.webapp] (note that this fakes a Firefox user agent string while running, which may affect other running web applications.)
* Meebo: [http://thanscorner.info/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/meebo.webapp meebo.webapp]
* Bloglines : [http://www.luckydisasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/bloglines.webapp bloglines.webapp]
* Google Page Creator: [http://www.luckydisasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/google_pagecreator.webapp google_pagecreator.webapp]
* Google Webmaster Tools: [http://www.luckydisasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/google_webmastertools.webapp google_webmastertools.webapp]
* Miro Guide: [http://silenceisdefeat.org/~j0ker/miroguide.webapp miroguide.webapp]
* BBC Radio Player [http://alf.hubmed.org/bbcradioplayer.webapp bbcradioplayer.webapp]
* Weightwatchers.com Plan Manager : [http://www.imisty.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/weightwatchers.webapp weightwatchers.webapp]
* ESPN Radio: [http://www.blogscooper.com/webapps/espnradio.webapp espnradio.webapp]
* Rsizr Image Editor [http://www.blogscooper.com/webapps/Rsizr.webapp rsizr.webapp]

== Contributing ==
* [http://svn.mozilla.org/projects/webrunner/ Source code in SVN]
* Bugzilla (for bugs and suggestions) [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/buglist.cgi?query_format=advanced&product=Other+Applications&component=WebRunner&resolution=---&chfieldto=Now open bugs], [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/enter_bug.cgi?product=Other%20Applications&component=WebRunner enter new bug]

== Blog Posts ==
[http://thanscorner.info/archives/2007/mozilla-webrunner-07 ThansCorner: Mozilla WebRunner 0.7] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2006/11/site-specific-browers/ Site Specific Browsers] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/03/site-specific-browser-webrunner/ WebRunner] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/03/site-specific-browser-using-webrunner/ Using WebRunner] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/06/webrunner-gears-offline-desktop-reader/ WebRunner + Gears = Offline Desktop Reader] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/07/webrunner-05-now-with-more-power/ WebRunner 0.5] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/07/webrunner-05-mac-support/ WebRunner 0.5 - Mac Support] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/07/webrunner-05-linux-install/ WebRunner 0.5 - Linux Install] 
[http://indigoflats.blogspot.com/2007/10/webrunner-google-reader-and-google.html WebRunner, Google Reader, and Google Notebook] 
[http://internetducttape.com/2007/10/05/distraction-free-gtd-32-todolist-apps/ Distraction Free GTD - 32+ web app files for online todo lists] 
[http://www.blogscooper.com/Mozilla-WebRunner-a-one-window-tabless-browser-with-no-URL-bar/ Mozilla WebRunner: a one-window, tabless browser with no URL bar]

Prism

2007-10-18T14:32:54Z

Realgt: /* Blog Posts */ added blogpost

WebRunner is a simple XULRunner based browser that hosts web applications without the normal web browser user interface. WebRunner 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 accoutrement's of a normal web browser. Some people have called it a "[http://www.hawkwings.net/2006/05/13/a-dedicated-distraction-free-browser-for-gmail/ 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.

== WebRunner / SSB Objectives ==
Looking at what has already been done and discussed about desktop/webapp integration, the following is a suggested roadmap for SSB experimentation:
* '''Separate process:''' When the webapp goes down or locks up, I don’t want anything else affected. Thankfully, Firefox does have session restore, but that is beside the point. When I open many tabs and have several webapps running in a browser, things get slow and unstable after a day or two.
* '''Minimal UI:''' A generic browser UI is not needed for webapps. If any UI is present, make it specific to the webapp I am using.
* '''Basic desktop integration:''' Create shortcuts to start the webapp, add ability to show specialized icons in the tray or dock and ability to display notifications.
* '''Platform with extensions:''' I don’t want to download a full browser runtime for each webapp. I do want to be able to add some custom code/features that are not directly supported in the webapp. I should be able to install one runtime and then get packages or extensions for each webapp. Think Firefox extensions or Greasemonkey scripts. These extensions should be able to tweak the SSB UI as well.
* '''Open external links in real browser:''' If I click a link in the webapp that opens a new site, don’t change my webapp browser window. Open all external links in my default/real browser.

* [[WebRunner:Planning | WebRunner Planning Whiteboard]]
* [[WebRunner:FAQ | WebRunner FAQ]]

== Current Features ==
* Window title tracking
* Context menu for basic clipboard and selection operations
* Simple Print support via context menu
* About support via context menu which is useful for checking the XULRunner runtime version
* Launch Webrunner with commandline parameters to host specific webapps
* Web application profile support - parameters for a web app can be saved to an INI-style *.webapp file
* Support for webapp owned popup windows - some email webapps can use a popup to compose email
* Show float-over link destinations in the statusbar so users can see where the link will take them
* Support download manager

== Wishlist ==
* Add Taskbar icon representation option for the web applications.
* Add one instance behavior in order for the shortcuts to bring the web app to view rather than open a second window.
* Add menus for page setup, open profile and work offline
* Add support for inline spellcheck and suggestions on context menu
* Add support for form field autocompletion, like Firefox
* Enable extension support so WebRunner can be tweaked or enhanced. Also, webapps themselves can be tweaked by extensions
* Create an tool to create new webapp profiles so new webapps can be installed from WebRunner
* Create an extension to allow Firefox to create webapp profiles since most of this process starts in the browser
* Create some form of adjusting preferences (about:config?). For instance, I had to add the code below in webruner-prefs.js to adjust proxy

pref("network.proxy.autoconfig_url", "http://autoproxy.url.pac");
pref("network.proxy.type", 2)

::: using a parameter in the .webapp file would be the best solution :

proxy=http://myname:mypassword@myproxy:3128/

* Add url/domain/subdomain restriction (external links won't work) ''give more detail on the discussion page''
* Add ability to open external links with other browsers (Firefox/Konqueror/IE/etc.) ''this should be working now - give more detail on the discussion page''
* Add ability to have entire software and webapp run from a USB memory device for roaming use.
* Possibility of full screen mode
* Find box
* Navigation with Alt + mouse scroll wheel is working, even if navigation is disabled in webapp.ini. Maybe it should be like in firefox Shift + mouse scroll wheel when navigation is enabled.
* More robust command line handling. It would be nice be able to simply type one of these:
webrunner gmail.webapp
webrunner https://mail.google.com/mail

== Security ==

Webapp bundles, as defined today, can and usually do include a JS (webapp.js) which runs with system privileges. This should be removed, so that starting a webapp bundle does not imply handing over your machine and all the data on it to whoever created or modified the bundle. Ideally, webapp bundles should not be able to do more than a normal webapp can, just run in a slightly different UI (no menu etc.) and in their own process.

== Web Application Bundles ==
A web application [[WebRunner:Bundle | bundle]] is a zip archive that holds a [[WebRunner:Config | configuration]] file, icons and an optional webapp JS [[WebRunner:Scripting | script]]. The profile can be used to launch and install the webapp in WebRunner:

<code>webrunner -webapp [webapp-bundle]</code>

Whenever a web application has been launched / installed using the above command line and the webapp [[WebRunner:Config | configuration]] has an '''ID''' parameter, the web application is unpacked into the WebRunner profile folder and can be launched directly using:

<code>webrunner -webapp [webapp-id]</code>

Here is a simple [[WebRunner:Bundle#HowTo | how-to]] for building a basic web application bundle.

See: [[WebRunner:Bundle]]

== Web Application Configuration ==
A webapp bundle should contain a webapp.ini [[WebRunner:Config | configuration]] file. The configuration file is a simple, INI-style text file that specifies some parameters about a web application.

See: [[WebRunner:Config]]

== Web Application Script ==
Some WebRunner-based web applications may want to tweak the behavior or add desktop-ish features to the webapp. WebRunner supports a simple [[WebRunner:Scripting | scripting]] system that can be used to add custom JS script to the WebRunner chrome [[WebRunner:HostWindow | host]], but not the webcontent itself.

See: [[WebRunner:Scripting]]

== WebRunner Host Window ==
WebRunner provides a simple, scaled down browser window for running web applications. Using [[WebRunner:Config | configuration]] files and webapp [[WebRunner:Scripting | scripting]], the host window can be modified.

See: [[WebRunner:HostWindow]]

== Installer ==
The installer should configure the OS to associate *.webapp files with WebRunner. This means that when you double-click or launch a *.webapp file, WebRunner is launched and automatically opens the web application.

Current Windows and Mac installs automatically associate *.webapp with WebRunner.

One interesting side efect is that after this change, you can select a link to a .webapp file in a Web Page and you get it run by webrunner - in IE this runs anywhere, but this won't work in Firefox unless the webapp is being issued with an appropriate MIME type on the server: application/x-webrunner works (see [http://blondechris.com/www/gmail.webapp here] for an example).

== Installs ==
==== Latest version ====

* Install (Windows): [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/webrunner-0.7-win32.exe webrunner-0.7-win32.exe] (6 MB)
* Install (Mac): [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/webrunner-0.7-mac.dmg webrunner-0.7-mac.dmg] (17MB)
* Install (Linux): [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/webrunner-0.7-linux.tar.bz2 webrunner-0.7-linux.tar.bz2] (8MB)

==== Bundles ====

* Gmail: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/gmail.webapp gmail.webapp]
* Google Calendar: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/gcalendar.webapp gcalendar.webapp]
* Google Docs: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/gdocs.webapp gdocs.webapp]
* Google Groups: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/groups.webapp groups.webapp]
* Google Analytics: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/ganalytics.webapp ganalytics.webapp]
* Google Reader: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/greader.webapp greader.webapp]
* Facebook: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/facebook.webapp facebook.webapp]
* Twitter: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/twitter.webapp twitter.webapp]

==== User Contributed Bundles ====

* Chandler: [http://stuff.occident.us/chandler.webapp chandler.webapp]
* 32 online todo lists: [http://internetducttape.com/2007/10/05/distraction-free-gtd-32-todolist-apps/ Zip file with web apps for 32 online todo lists]
* Yahoo! Mail: [http://www.thingsthemselves.com/webrunner/ymail.webapp ymail.webapp] (note that this fakes a Firefox user agent string while running, which may affect other running web applications.)
* Meebo: [http://thanscorner.info/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/meebo.webapp meebo.webapp]
* Bloglines : [http://www.luckydisasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/bloglines.webapp bloglines.webapp]
* Google Page Creator: [http://www.luckydisasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/google_pagecreator.webapp google_pagecreator.webapp]
* Google Webmaster Tools: [http://www.luckydisasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/google_webmastertools.webapp google_webmastertools.webapp]
* Miro Guide: [http://silenceisdefeat.org/~j0ker/miroguide.webapp miroguide.webapp]
* BBC Radio Player [http://alf.hubmed.org/bbcradioplayer.webapp bbcradioplayer.webapp]
* Weightwatchers.com Plan Manager : [http://www.imisty.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/weightwatchers.webapp weightwatchers.webapp]
* ESPN Radio: [http://www.blogscooper.com/webapps/espnradio.webapp espnradio.webapp]

== Contributing ==
* [http://svn.mozilla.org/projects/webrunner/ Source code in SVN]
* Bugzilla (for bugs and suggestions) [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/buglist.cgi?query_format=advanced&product=Other+Applications&component=WebRunner&resolution=---&chfieldto=Now open bugs], [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/enter_bug.cgi?product=Other%20Applications&component=WebRunner enter new bug]

== Blog Posts ==
[http://thanscorner.info/archives/2007/mozilla-webrunner-07 ThansCorner: Mozilla WebRunner 0.7] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2006/11/site-specific-browers/ Site Specific Browsers] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/03/site-specific-browser-webrunner/ WebRunner] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/03/site-specific-browser-using-webrunner/ Using WebRunner] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/06/webrunner-gears-offline-desktop-reader/ WebRunner + Gears = Offline Desktop Reader] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/07/webrunner-05-now-with-more-power/ WebRunner 0.5] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/07/webrunner-05-mac-support/ WebRunner 0.5 - Mac Support] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/07/webrunner-05-linux-install/ WebRunner 0.5 - Linux Install] 
[http://indigoflats.blogspot.com/2007/10/webrunner-google-reader-and-google.html WebRunner, Google Reader, and Google Notebook] 
[http://internetducttape.com/2007/10/05/distraction-free-gtd-32-todolist-apps/ Distraction Free GTD - 32+ web app files for online todo lists] 
[http://www.blogscooper.com/Mozilla-WebRunner-a-one-window-tabless-browser-with-no-URL-bar/ Mozilla WebRunner: a one-window, tabless browser with no URL bar]

Prism

2007-10-18T14:30:47Z

Realgt: /* User Contributed Bundles */ added espnradio

WebRunner is a simple XULRunner based browser that hosts web applications without the normal web browser user interface. WebRunner 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 accoutrement's of a normal web browser. Some people have called it a "[http://www.hawkwings.net/2006/05/13/a-dedicated-distraction-free-browser-for-gmail/ 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.

== WebRunner / SSB Objectives ==
Looking at what has already been done and discussed about desktop/webapp integration, the following is a suggested roadmap for SSB experimentation:
* '''Separate process:''' When the webapp goes down or locks up, I don’t want anything else affected. Thankfully, Firefox does have session restore, but that is beside the point. When I open many tabs and have several webapps running in a browser, things get slow and unstable after a day or two.
* '''Minimal UI:''' A generic browser UI is not needed for webapps. If any UI is present, make it specific to the webapp I am using.
* '''Basic desktop integration:''' Create shortcuts to start the webapp, add ability to show specialized icons in the tray or dock and ability to display notifications.
* '''Platform with extensions:''' I don’t want to download a full browser runtime for each webapp. I do want to be able to add some custom code/features that are not directly supported in the webapp. I should be able to install one runtime and then get packages or extensions for each webapp. Think Firefox extensions or Greasemonkey scripts. These extensions should be able to tweak the SSB UI as well.
* '''Open external links in real browser:''' If I click a link in the webapp that opens a new site, don’t change my webapp browser window. Open all external links in my default/real browser.

* [[WebRunner:Planning | WebRunner Planning Whiteboard]]
* [[WebRunner:FAQ | WebRunner FAQ]]

== Current Features ==
* Window title tracking
* Context menu for basic clipboard and selection operations
* Simple Print support via context menu
* About support via context menu which is useful for checking the XULRunner runtime version
* Launch Webrunner with commandline parameters to host specific webapps
* Web application profile support - parameters for a web app can be saved to an INI-style *.webapp file
* Support for webapp owned popup windows - some email webapps can use a popup to compose email
* Show float-over link destinations in the statusbar so users can see where the link will take them
* Support download manager

== Wishlist ==
* Add Taskbar icon representation option for the web applications.
* Add one instance behavior in order for the shortcuts to bring the web app to view rather than open a second window.
* Add menus for page setup, open profile and work offline
* Add support for inline spellcheck and suggestions on context menu
* Add support for form field autocompletion, like Firefox
* Enable extension support so WebRunner can be tweaked or enhanced. Also, webapps themselves can be tweaked by extensions
* Create an tool to create new webapp profiles so new webapps can be installed from WebRunner
* Create an extension to allow Firefox to create webapp profiles since most of this process starts in the browser
* Create some form of adjusting preferences (about:config?). For instance, I had to add the code below in webruner-prefs.js to adjust proxy

pref("network.proxy.autoconfig_url", "http://autoproxy.url.pac");
pref("network.proxy.type", 2)

::: using a parameter in the .webapp file would be the best solution :

proxy=http://myname:mypassword@myproxy:3128/

* Add url/domain/subdomain restriction (external links won't work) ''give more detail on the discussion page''
* Add ability to open external links with other browsers (Firefox/Konqueror/IE/etc.) ''this should be working now - give more detail on the discussion page''
* Add ability to have entire software and webapp run from a USB memory device for roaming use.
* Possibility of full screen mode
* Find box
* Navigation with Alt + mouse scroll wheel is working, even if navigation is disabled in webapp.ini. Maybe it should be like in firefox Shift + mouse scroll wheel when navigation is enabled.
* More robust command line handling. It would be nice be able to simply type one of these:
webrunner gmail.webapp
webrunner https://mail.google.com/mail

== Security ==

Webapp bundles, as defined today, can and usually do include a JS (webapp.js) which runs with system privileges. This should be removed, so that starting a webapp bundle does not imply handing over your machine and all the data on it to whoever created or modified the bundle. Ideally, webapp bundles should not be able to do more than a normal webapp can, just run in a slightly different UI (no menu etc.) and in their own process.

== Web Application Bundles ==
A web application [[WebRunner:Bundle | bundle]] is a zip archive that holds a [[WebRunner:Config | configuration]] file, icons and an optional webapp JS [[WebRunner:Scripting | script]]. The profile can be used to launch and install the webapp in WebRunner:

<code>webrunner -webapp [webapp-bundle]</code>

Whenever a web application has been launched / installed using the above command line and the webapp [[WebRunner:Config | configuration]] has an '''ID''' parameter, the web application is unpacked into the WebRunner profile folder and can be launched directly using:

<code>webrunner -webapp [webapp-id]</code>

Here is a simple [[WebRunner:Bundle#HowTo | how-to]] for building a basic web application bundle.

See: [[WebRunner:Bundle]]

== Web Application Configuration ==
A webapp bundle should contain a webapp.ini [[WebRunner:Config | configuration]] file. The configuration file is a simple, INI-style text file that specifies some parameters about a web application.

See: [[WebRunner:Config]]

== Web Application Script ==
Some WebRunner-based web applications may want to tweak the behavior or add desktop-ish features to the webapp. WebRunner supports a simple [[WebRunner:Scripting | scripting]] system that can be used to add custom JS script to the WebRunner chrome [[WebRunner:HostWindow | host]], but not the webcontent itself.

See: [[WebRunner:Scripting]]

== WebRunner Host Window ==
WebRunner provides a simple, scaled down browser window for running web applications. Using [[WebRunner:Config | configuration]] files and webapp [[WebRunner:Scripting | scripting]], the host window can be modified.

See: [[WebRunner:HostWindow]]

== Installer ==
The installer should configure the OS to associate *.webapp files with WebRunner. This means that when you double-click or launch a *.webapp file, WebRunner is launched and automatically opens the web application.

Current Windows and Mac installs automatically associate *.webapp with WebRunner.

One interesting side efect is that after this change, you can select a link to a .webapp file in a Web Page and you get it run by webrunner - in IE this runs anywhere, but this won't work in Firefox unless the webapp is being issued with an appropriate MIME type on the server: application/x-webrunner works (see [http://blondechris.com/www/gmail.webapp here] for an example).

== Installs ==
==== Latest version ====

* Install (Windows): [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/webrunner-0.7-win32.exe webrunner-0.7-win32.exe] (6 MB)
* Install (Mac): [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/webrunner-0.7-mac.dmg webrunner-0.7-mac.dmg] (17MB)
* Install (Linux): [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/webrunner-0.7-linux.tar.bz2 webrunner-0.7-linux.tar.bz2] (8MB)

==== Bundles ====

* Gmail: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/gmail.webapp gmail.webapp]
* Google Calendar: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/gcalendar.webapp gcalendar.webapp]
* Google Docs: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/gdocs.webapp gdocs.webapp]
* Google Groups: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/groups.webapp groups.webapp]
* Google Analytics: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/ganalytics.webapp ganalytics.webapp]
* Google Reader: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/greader.webapp greader.webapp]
* Facebook: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/facebook.webapp facebook.webapp]
* Twitter: [http://starkravingfinkle.org/projects/webrunner/twitter.webapp twitter.webapp]

==== User Contributed Bundles ====

* Chandler: [http://stuff.occident.us/chandler.webapp chandler.webapp]
* 32 online todo lists: [http://internetducttape.com/2007/10/05/distraction-free-gtd-32-todolist-apps/ Zip file with web apps for 32 online todo lists]
* Yahoo! Mail: [http://www.thingsthemselves.com/webrunner/ymail.webapp ymail.webapp] (note that this fakes a Firefox user agent string while running, which may affect other running web applications.)
* Meebo: [http://thanscorner.info/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/meebo.webapp meebo.webapp]
* Bloglines : [http://www.luckydisasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/bloglines.webapp bloglines.webapp]
* Google Page Creator: [http://www.luckydisasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/google_pagecreator.webapp google_pagecreator.webapp]
* Google Webmaster Tools: [http://www.luckydisasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/google_webmastertools.webapp google_webmastertools.webapp]
* Miro Guide: [http://silenceisdefeat.org/~j0ker/miroguide.webapp miroguide.webapp]
* BBC Radio Player [http://alf.hubmed.org/bbcradioplayer.webapp bbcradioplayer.webapp]
* Weightwatchers.com Plan Manager : [http://www.imisty.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/weightwatchers.webapp weightwatchers.webapp]
* ESPN Radio: [http://www.blogscooper.com/webapps/espnradio.webapp espnradio.webapp]

== Contributing ==
* [http://svn.mozilla.org/projects/webrunner/ Source code in SVN]
* Bugzilla (for bugs and suggestions) [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/buglist.cgi?query_format=advanced&product=Other+Applications&component=WebRunner&resolution=---&chfieldto=Now open bugs], [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/enter_bug.cgi?product=Other%20Applications&component=WebRunner enter new bug]

== Blog Posts ==
[http://thanscorner.info/archives/2007/mozilla-webrunner-07 ThansCorner: Mozilla WebRunner 0.7] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2006/11/site-specific-browers/ Site Specific Browsers] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/03/site-specific-browser-webrunner/ WebRunner] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/03/site-specific-browser-using-webrunner/ Using WebRunner] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/06/webrunner-gears-offline-desktop-reader/ WebRunner + Gears = Offline Desktop Reader] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/07/webrunner-05-now-with-more-power/ WebRunner 0.5] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/07/webrunner-05-mac-support/ WebRunner 0.5 - Mac Support] 
[http://starkravingfinkle.org/blog/2007/07/webrunner-05-linux-install/ WebRunner 0.5 - Linux Install] 
[http://indigoflats.blogspot.com/2007/10/webrunner-google-reader-and-google.html WebRunner, Google Reader, and Google Notebook] 
[http://internetducttape.com/2007/10/05/distraction-free-gtd-32-todolist-apps/ Distraction Free GTD - 32+ web app files for online todo lists]