If you’re a Mac user and you haven’t tried Fluid yet, you’re missing out! Fluid is an application that turns any webpage into a standalone application, giving you convenient access to your favorite web apps via the Dock. Here are five great ways to use Fluid to free up a few browser tabs and make essential web applications more accessible.

1. Webmail. Turn your favorite webmail client into a standalone. Among other benefits, you won’t lose that long email you’re writing when your browser decides to crash.
2. Calendar. Fluid-ize your web-based calendar and make it one click away, so you can view and manage your schedule with lightning speed.
3. RSS Reader. Continue using your favorite web-based RSS reader while enjoying the conveniences of a desktop program–mainly, a Dock icon that displays how many unread posts are in your reader inbox.
4. Dictionary/Thesaurus. If you’re a meticulous wordsmith, you’re likely also a regular user of an online dictionary/thesaurus. By stanalone-ifying your online dictionary of choice, you’ll be able to easily alt-tab between your dictionary and your blog post draft (whereas these days you’re clicking between tabs in your browser).
5. Basecamp (or other project management apps). I’ve found that you get the most out of a project management app when you integrate it into your day-to-day rather than using it simply to organize details at the outset of a project. You’ll be all the more likely to do this if your app is accessible from the Dock.

I’d love to hear which web apps you’ve decided to convert into standalones. Leave a comment and let me know!

Download Fluid

Share This Post