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I ported a few Flock extensions from Firefox extensions. You may be wondering on how to port your favorite Firefox extensions to Flock. It is quite simple. Let me explain the steps to you.

1. Download (do not install) the Firefox extension you want to port to Flock. Mozilla Update is a good Firefox extension repository.
2. Change the file extension from ".xpi" to ".zip", and then extract the file into a folder.
   Reference: Viewing and Changing Windows File Extensions
3. Open "install.rdf" with a text editor (e.g: notepad).
4. Look for "</em:targetApplication>" (without quotations).
5. Paste the following code right below that line:
   PLAIN TEXT
   XML:

   1. <!-- Flock -->
   2. <em :targetApplication>
   3.     <description>
   4.         <em :id>{a463f10c-3994-11da-9945-000d60ca027b}</em>
   5.         <em :maxVersion>6.02</em>
   6.         <em :minVersion>0.2</em>
   7.     </description>
   8. </em>
   Tips: The strange text string is the program ID of Flock browser. The above code tells Flock that, "Hey! I am compatible with you!" (ok, the code is a cheating one. )
6. Save the "install.rdf" file
7. Zip the folder. You will get a .zip file.
8. Rename the zip file extension from ".zip" to ".xpi".
9. Drag & drop the .xpi file into your Flock browser in order to install the Flock extension.
10. Restart your Flock browser.
11. Done.

In a nutshell, the process goes like this:
Firefox extension -> rename to zip -> unzip -> edit "install.rdf" -> zip -> rename file extension to xpi -> Flock extension

My two cents

I am not sure about the amount of Firefox extension authors who are willing to update their extensions for Flock. You may wait for them, or do it yourself according to the steps shown here.

Please note that this is a cheap hack. There are some extensions that do not work properly with Flock even when they are successfully installed (example: SessionSaver).

I hope that you will enjoy more in using Flock with your favorite extensions installed.

browser, extension, Firefox, flock, flockextension, web browser

Read also:

• Flock – the web 2.0 browser
• Flock Extension: All-in-one Gestures
• Weekly Highlights (Week 44, 2005)
• Free WordPress.com Account Invitation
• Mr Tech’s Local Install – Make Old Firefox Extensions Compatible