Mozilla Prism is a new feature in Firefox that lets you run web applications from your desktop. This is a great way to keep your applications up and running even when you’re not connected to the internet. You can also use Prism to run multiple web applications at the same time, so you can get more work done while on the go. Prism is available now in Firefox and will be added to other Mozilla browsers soon. To get started, open Firefox and click on the three lines in the top left corner of the window, called “Tools.” Then click on “Prism.” If you’re using a Windows computer, you’ll need to install Mozilla’s “Windows Runtime” extension. If you’re using MacOS or Linux, you won’t need this extension but you will need Mozilla’s “Firefox OS” extension. Once Prism is installed, open Firefox and click on the three lines in the top left corner of the window, called “Tools.” Then click on “Prism.” If you’re using a Macintosh computer, open Safari and type chrome://flags/ into Safari’s address bar. Once Safari has opened, type into its address bar what you want to do: set prismEnabled to true or false. If prismEnabled is true, then all web applications that are run from within Firefox will be run as part of Mozilla’s own Prism-enabled browser process rather than as separate processes running inside of your computer’s operating system. If prismEnabled isn’t true, then all web applications that are run from within Firefox will be executed as normal without any special privileges being granted to Mozilla’s own Prism-enabled browser process.

Note: Prism comes in two different versions…one for the desktop and as an extension for Firefox. The desktop version is extremely stable and a pleasure to use. The extension for Firefox did exhibit a slight twitch on Web App shortcuts created with it when used (see below).

Using the Desktop Version

The desktop version of Prism is contained in a zip file. To install it, unzip the file using your favorite compressed file management software and move the folder containing Prism into Program Files. You may or may not choose to rename the folder based on your preferences. Create a shortcut to the “prism.exe” file and you are ready to go.

Once you have started Prism, this is the window that you will see. Notice that you have many options for configuring the application window and types of shortcuts desired (wonderful!). There is even an option to select the image that you would like to use for your shortcut(s).

Enter the URL of the website that you want to access with Prism, choose the name that you want for your shortcut(s), select the options that suit your needs, and decide what type of picture you want for your shortcut(s).

Here you can see a finished example. Click “OK’ to finish the process and create your new shortcut(s)!

Using the Firefox Extension

If you prefer to use the Prism extension for Firefox to create Web App shortcuts (or combined with the desktop version), open the website that you would like to create the shortcut for.

Once you have the website displayed in your browser window, go to the Tools Menu and select “Convert Website to Application…”.

The Prism window will open with part of the work already completed for you. Change or shorten the name if you desire, choose the options that you want for the application window and shortcut(s), and select a new picture for the shortcut icons if you would like to do so.

And here is the completed example for our extension created Web App shortcut

Shortcuts and Prism Application Windows

Here you can see the two Web App shortcuts created with both versions of Prism all ready to go.

Double clicking on the first shortcut (desktop version created) opens up a sleek Web App window.

In the lower right corner you can access Preferences, Printing, Page Setup and Tools by clicking on the Status Bar button.

Double clicking on the extension created shortcut did produce an unusual bit of behavior. The Web App window opened without problem but blank. This is easy to get around though. Simply click on the “Home Button” and the window will immediately display the website that you have the shortcut set up for.

Here are our two Web App windows open and ready to browse with!

Conclusion

Prism is a wonderful software that can make your internet life a lot simpler. No more having to open up a browser to access and open up the website that you want to visit. All that website goodness is now only a click (or double click) away!

Links

Download the Desktop Version of Prism (version 1.0 Beta 1)

Download the Prism Extension for Firefox (version 1.0 Beta 1)