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Comment by BonoboBoner | Hacker News Reader

Nice looking site, but I dont understand what Raven does. As an example here is the explanation for the Smart Bar feature:

"Raven uses a technique called "site specific browsing" to create a dedicated browser instance for certain websites and their features. It debuts with the most widely used websites including Google+, Facebook, Twitter and Quora. Within each app Raven provides yet another instance for key features. This provides a whole new level of multitasking within a single window. The Smart Bar unifies navigation across many different websites allowing access to features quickly, without effort and with little instruction."

I have no clue what this means. This clearly needs to be dumbed down to be understandable by average users.

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I'm very technical, and I have no idea what that means. They are talking technology instead of benefits. Why do I care about all these "instances"? Chrome creates new instances all the time, too, but I would imagine Raven thinks it has some advantage over Chrome.

And what, technically, is an "instance"? Do they mean "instance" as a process or "instance" from a UX perspective, meaning that the browser functions as though each site were in a unique container (autocomplete, etc., isolated)?

Most importantly from a privacy perspective, does this mean cross-site beacons don't work? Can I stay logged into Facebook without the Like button following me in other tabs?

I could be wrong but it looks like an easier to use version of Fluid: http://fluidapp.com/

From the Fluid website: "Turn Your Favorite Web Apps into Real Mac Apps"

Not fully accurate but easier to understand.

Nope. It's definitely not easier to use -- you have to join their developer program or whatever in order to add a website to that "smart" bar.

I agree. Though, it definitely depends on what the target market is. If it is an "average" computer user, then they definitely need to revamp their marketing. However, if they are targeting current site-specific browser users, then perhaps they just need to revamp a bit of their features list. Either way, where they are at now (right in the middle) seems to be confusing to both sides.

Essentially for each web app they've crated buttons. Look at twitter for mac or Sparrow, they have buttons relating to each account.

When you add the twitter web app it lets you click replies and dm's in the fashion that fits with the trend those apps brought. It's the same for Facebook, techcrunch (tv, other elements) and hackernews.

It's a nice idea although is slightly annoying unless you're on superfast internet as unlike those other apps you have to wait for your internet to catchup.

I think this browser needs speed increases as unless it's the fastest browser or on par it has little point. Interesting idea but not intuitive enough for me.

People still use Rockmelt so there must be a market for this.

It sounds like the browser integrates with the application so that the line becomes blurred between where the browser ends and the app begins. As a long-term strategy you can almost see them releasing an API so companies can easily create websites "Built for Raven."

With that said I don't think that's at all clear from the copy... just what I'm inferring.

"It debuts with the most widely used websites including ... Quora." Wait, what?

Yes, I widely use Quora. ;)

The most widely used sites in Silicon Valley?

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