...more recent posts
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's doesn't have the menus, toolbars and accoutrement's of a normal web browser. Some people have called it a "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.Could this be an open source Adobe Air (which used to be Adobe Apollo if you've been following along here) competitor? I'm intrigued.
Here are some introductory posts from the creator: site specific browsers, webrunner, using webrunner.
I'm having a hard time pinning this part down though: "An SSB also has a tighter integration with the OS and desktop than a typical web application running through a web browser." Specifically, how much access to the local filesystem do you have? Does it support drag and drop of files into / out of the application?
I'd love it this turns out well since I really like the direction Adobe Air is taking, but I'm nervous about getting on board with an all Adobe technology. And, of course, this sort of solution only makes sense for a really specific problem - but it just so happens I have one of these problems. I'll dig more and follow up in comments.