A new social media web browser called RockMelt is getting a lot of buzz online, despite being a startup whose early access version was only released on November 8, 2010. Where other similar endeavors might fade into obscurity taking years to get noticed, this browser has become a quick topic of conversation. The name of its developers -- Tim Howes and Eric Vishria -- may not ring a bell, but once you hear who’s behind the project, it will all begin to fall into place.
This is because the RockMelt browser is Netscape founder Marc Andreessen's baby, and he believes that this browser will prove to be a brand new web surfing technique. For some in the tech world, Andreessen's association with the project isn't impressive, and even further, some believe the browser itself is nothing special. Take for example tech blogger Edward Berridge over at The Inquirer, who recently wrote that "the browser works on the basis that humanity has rotted to the point that all we have to do with our lives is socialize on Facebook, search on Google, tweet on Twitter, and monitor a handful of key websites."
Though that seems a little extreme (and harsh), a great deal of people do visit those exact sites multiple times a day, and RockMelt, with its ability to stop people from drifting from site to site by placing all the information and favorite services into drop-down windows, could very well provide a needed convenience that many Internet users would appreciate.
According to Andreessen, RockMelt is his second chance at building a successful web browser, but this time it will include many features that he wishes he could have included in Netscape had he known the direction Internet usage would take after the demise of the Netscape browser -- which is to say all social networking, all the time.
RockMelt is hoping to attract one million users during its early stages, which is why Andreessen is extending invitations through Facebook for anyone who wants to try his new browser. Before you jump on board, however, you may want to learn more about the Netscape founder's new endeavor.
Getting Started
As mentioned previously, those interested in checking out the browser early can use Facebook to get an invitation, but as it stands, it seems as if the only way you can use the browser is if you have a Facebook account. Facebook users will have to log on to RockMelt using their Facebook account information. Afterward, their profile pic will be used as their RockMelt profile pic, and a list of their favorite friends will automatically be included on the left-hand frame of the browser as well. The browser also features built-in tools for posting updates.
Recently, the first update to RockMelt Beta was made, so if you're just downloading the browser now you'll find some brand new enhancements. If, on the other hand, you've already been using RockMelt, your browser will update automatically, or you can download it by opening RockMelt's main menu in the upper left hand corner, clicking on "About RockMelt," and then checking for the update.
According to the RockMelt blog, the new update made the following enhancements possible:
New Gmail Notifier App to let you know when you have new email. To install, just go to gmail.com, sign in, and click on the "Add Apps" button at the bottom of the App Edge.
Tweet directly from the Twitter App using the new "compose" button at the top.Update your status directly from the Facebook App by clicking on the new "compose" button at the top.
Search within the Facebook, Twitter, and News Apps by typing in the new filter box (Windows users press CTRL+F to invoke).
Compose messages, write on walls, or go straight to a website through richer context menus when you right-click on a Friend or App in the Edge.
Faster, more consistent Twitter and Facebook feed updates and notifications.
Look for more invites and improved notifications in the enhanced Invite App.
Hide or show edges while in full-screen mode, just like in the normal view.
Upgrade to Chromium 7 for improvements in speed and stability and better HTML 5 support.
Search Engine News 
