Flock 2.5.6 available

Many people are unaware of the Flock browser. Essentially it takes everything that is great about Firefox and adds a couple touches to satisfy the social media enthusiast. You can do all of your normal web browsing in the usual window and utilize the greatness that is tabbed browsing. In addition you can post to your grab photos from practically anywhere and blog right from the browser without much of a problem. As if that were not enough you can load up your Facebook and Twitter streams (and MySpace if you still live in the stone age of social networking) in your left sidebar.

What makes these sidebars so useful, for me at least, is I can post a link directly to Facebook without having to load up the Facebook server. I can also upload photos and videos right to my Facebook page, which has helped me become more of a fan of Facebook than I used to be. Truth be told, I probably have become a little annoying on Facebook because of it as well.

I can also update my Twitter status on the same sidebar after clicking on the Twitter logo. But as a loyal Tweetdeck user (although I am getting fed up with the mobile version lately) I tend to use my sidebar primarily for Facebook purposes.

But recently the sidebar that I adore has been a little buggy. Updates have not been as frequent, leaving me to see updates from friends that are hours, if not days behind. So the good news for me is that they have just released an updated version this week.

Usually I receive an alert informing me that there is a new update for my browser of choice, but the Flock tam has turned off auto-updates for version 2.5.6. So I had to check my RSS feed from the Flock Blog to learn of the new update. The new version is supposed to address issues regarding the Twitter stream, some Firefox security issues and Flickr log out issues.

Facebook chat notifications are still in the works for an upgrade, but because Facebook is always changing their API for that feature and do not share it with developers like they do other features, it looks like the Flock team is going to hold off on correcting that problem until Facebook calms down.

I just installed 2.5.6 so I'll give it a couple days before offering my thoughts on the new version. If you happen to use it and wish to share your thoughts go right ahead in the comments below.

Download Flock 2.5.6 | Release notes

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Tweetdeck Wish List, Browser Selection

I use Tweetdeck as my main Twitter client as I am sure many Twitter users do (and should). I have used it for a long time now and only just discovered how I can view the trending topics on Twitter. It was my desire to easily see the trending topics that got me thinking of a wish list of features I would like to see for Tweetdeck's next release, whenever that may be.

As it turns out I could only think of one feature that I would like to see implemented; the ability to select a browser for links.

As you know I am an avid fan of the Flock browser. I open it up in the morning and have it open all day. I am an enthusiastic supporter of tabbed web browsing, especially for my needs, and I especially prefer to take advantage of the social networking features that are built right into the browser's design.

As I use Flock for just about anything on the web I would prefer if Tweetdeck would open links from different users in my preferred browser instead of a default browser. I have nothing against Safari, or Firefox on our PC, but it would be easier for me f I could just open up a link in a new tab in the browser I already have open. I have no need or desire to have two separate browsers open, as evidenced by tabbed web browsing style.

So to the developers of Tweetdeck, I hope you take this to heart and work on an option allowing the user to select a browser to open links in. I would be grateful beyond your imagination.

By the way, are you following me on Twitter?

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Waiting for 7.7.7.0? Not Anymore!

I had a bout with some magical spy ware recently that could not be tracked by three separate, and updated, virus protection and spy ware zapping programs.

The problems started a few days ago when using FireFox. When attempting to perform a Google search the search results would come up as usual, but the links to which the results took you were hi-jacked, taking you to advertisers for (ironically) anti-spy ware and virus removal programs, employment searching sites, and various other sites that had nothing to do with your search. For example, I did a Google search for "Phillies" and the links would take me to the various spy ware utility programs. Not helpful.

I noticed that the messages in the bottom of my window were somehow different. Instead of telling me the usual messages such as "Waiting for www.google.com" and "Transferring from www.google.com" etc., the messages were telling me "Waiting for 7.7.7.0" or something along those lines. Now I was on to something.

This hijacking problem was only taking place in FireFox, Google's Chrome and Internet Explorer. Luckily for me I use the Flock browser, which showed no signs of suffering the same problems the other browsers were experiencing. While in Flock I googled "Waiting for 7.7.7.0" and "hijacked links" and found my solution.

If you experience the same problem here is all you have to do. Locate the following file...

c://windows/system32/wdmaud.sys

...and delete it. Seriously, that is all you have to do. I sent the file to the recycling bin, emptied said bin, and tried searching "Phillies" on FireFox once more. Success! Just to make sure I checked in Chrome and Internet Explorer and experienced the same success in both browsers.

No matter which browser you use, if you have this problem, this should work!

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