The advantages of web applications are many: access from any computer, no installation needed, collaboration, and the list goes on. However, there are some downsides of having your apps running from your web browser: there is no direct icon sitting in your desktop to launch the program, you can't drag and drop files to open them, the navigation browser buttons don't help you feel you are running "real" softwares.

Today, I wanted to present 3 programs that offer solutions to these issues:

Google Chrome

If you are a Windows user and is already taking advantage of the fast and innovative Google browser, you can quickly improve your experience with web apps by using a feature that is somewhat hidden under the menu. There are 2 benefits: run your app on a streamlined, non-button interface (see image) and get a desktop icon to launch it like any other program. To use this feature, here are the steps suggested on Chrome's help center

 

1. Click the Page menu
   
   .
2. Select Create application shortcuts.
3. In the 'Google Gears' dialog box, select the checkboxes where you want shortcuts to be placed on your computer.
   • Desktop
   • Start menu
   • Quick launch bar
4. Click the OK button.

When you double-click a shortcut icon, the web application opens in a special streamlined window that gives you as much working room as possible. Learn more about application windows.

If you don't use Chrome yet, download it here.

Bubbles

 

According to the website:

Bubbles is an application platform, based on Browser technologies. It detaches Web Applications from the classic Browser and offers them with the familiar accessibility, capabilities and always-on nature of Desktop applications.

Also Windows only, Bubbles is a software you install in your computer and allow you to add extensions related to specific apps. Among the most popular extensions are Google products such as Gmail, Calendar and Reader.

Besides the interface and alias for launching the apps, Bubbles provide 2 very handy functionalities: notifications (see above) and drag and drop ability. The Google Docs extension, for example, allows you to drag and drop an Excel file to have it open.

Download Bubbles here.

Mozilla Prism

The last program I'd like to mention is Prism, from Mozila Labs. The great thing about Prism is that it is available for Windows, Mac and Linux. It adds to Firefox a very similar feature offered by Chrome, with the difference you first need to install the Prism add-on from here.

 

 

I've been using both Chrome and Bubbles so far and the experience really helps in using web apps more comfortably. Hopefully Linux and Mac versions will be added to these programs soon, but in the meantime Prism seems like a great option for non-Windows users.

Enjoy!