NEWS: Poseidon Browser build 59 has been released!



This project is about bringing a basic Metro-like UI to a desktop browser based on Internet Explorer engine (Trident). The project is written in Visual Basic.NET language and was started and maintained by me. You can read more about Poseidon on BetaArchive Wiki and on Development blog.

Here are some unique features of Poseidon Browser:

• Fusion Button: a four-in-one button that is used as a refresh, cancel, go and search button.
• Session Lock: allows you to lock the browser when you don't want others to see what you're browsing
• Setup Assistant: an easy to use, step-by-step wizard that helps you configure the program on first run
• My Manager: an all-in-one user content manager for downloads, favourites, history and cookies
• And more...

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

These are the official system requirements for both Poseidon Browser and Poseidon Deployment System:

• Microsoft Windows Vista or later
• Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 Client Profile
• Internet Explorer 9 or later

There are no special hardware requirements. Windows Server family of operating systems is not officialy supported, but Poseidon may still run on them. 64-bit editions of above operating systems use the same 32-bit release, because no special compile is needed. Any other versions and editions of Microsoft Windows are not officially supported, but Poseidon may still run on them. No support will be provided for users running on such configuration.

DOWNLOADS

There are two ways of installing Poseidon Browser on your computer:

1. POSEIDON DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM

Poseidon Deployment System (PDS) is my own installer (also written in VB.NET) that automatically downloads the latest version of Poseidon Browser and does all the dirty work for you (installation, registry work and uninstallation). This method offers better integration with the OS. RECOMMENDED FOR MOST USERS.

1.0.4.130314 (Beta 2, English, x86, 14th March 2013)
Previous builds

PLEASE NOTE: PDS requires administrator rights and an internet connection to install Poseidon Browser.

2. PORTABLE VERSION

Use this method if you're having issues with PDS. This is just the program file (poseidon.exe) compressed in a RAR archive. It allows greater portability, but less integration with the OS.

1.0.59.0.x86fre.main_alpha2.130421-1530 (Alpha 2, English, x86, 21st April 2013)
Previous builds

All project documentation will be available here once Beta 1 is released.

All downloads are hosted on Microsoft SkyDrive, except the files that are downloaded by PDS, which are hosted by Rob Jansen. Other contributors are credited in the "Credits" dialog in the program itself. Contact me if you're on that list and want to be identified by your real name (otherwise BA forum nicks are used).

It sounds like an eminently workable idea, DeFacto. If I may, I'd suggest that for tabbed browsing, you simply have small buttons on the bottom taskbar corresponding to open tabs. That way they're instantly accessible without adding another layer of clutter to the interface. That's if that is at all possible, of course. What operating systems are you planning to have this run on?

I'll look into it and see what can be done.

Windows XP, Vista and 7. Perhaps even 2000 if I get it to work.

Sounds cool. Have any pictures to show us yet?

OK, today I finished the main form's UI, so here it is:


Normal


And the "minimized" UI

This is pretty much it. Once I make further progress I shall let you know...

This actually looks pretty awesome. I hope that grey border won't be there in the first testable build, though...

What grey border?

.....never mind. I'm a moron. Didn't realize that the grey around the flower pic was actually part of the Bing site. (goes and sits in the Idiot Corner)

Alright, I've already done the code for the main window, so technically, the browser is already usable, but still have to do the Settings dialog, AIO user content manager, the "Fusion button" and the Setup wizzard. Perhaps the first release will make it to the public before 1st of December...

Try and get it to not use the Windows Shell on top, and create your own minimize, maximize, etc button and top bar!

Well, the minimize and maximize/restore button can be a bit of a problem... I'll put it on schedule for the RTM/SR1, the main goal ATM is to get the thing to work and release it to the public...

Looks Great. I thought the same thing about the grey boarder until I read evangelikevin's post. (goes and sits in the Idiot Corner with him)

Looks like Metro IE10.

The idea and design are great, just make sure having a simple interface doesn't reduce its potential.

Thanks to DBlake for helping me out with the project. Here's the status:

-Fusion button implemented (with the exception of Search feature, which will be done sepparately)
-Modified browser control
-Tray icon (still needs some work to be done)

Expect this to be released someday in December.

Here we go guys, the very first build is yours to play with. If you expirience any problems, etc. please let me know. A feedback is also appreciated. The download link is posted in the first post. Please note that this is the very first pre-release build (M1), so there is still much work to do...

Here's what's been acomplished so far:

• Minimizable navigation and status bars
• Tray icon
• Settings dialog
• A basic downloader

Again, if you find any bugs, or want to give a feedback please let me know. Enjoy!

Some screens to tease:

I was going to ask you what the system requirements were, until I saw that this question was already answered in your above post.

Well, sorry to dissapoint you, but DBlake and I are discussing NT 5 support right now, and it seems we'll drop NT 5 support. The fact is that the platform is outdated, and we have compatibility issues as well when porting to XP, so...

Also, for anyone else that wants to know the exact system requirements:

-Windows NT 6.X (Vista RTM or later)
-.NET Framework 4.0 (Full, not Client Profile)

Having a small visual glitch when running it on Windows 7 Professional x64 at 1920x1080 resolution:



Aside from that, it runs really well.

It seems somehow the buttons have stretched from 32×32 to 48×48 Thank you for your report.

EDIT: It seems you're using custom DPI settings which conflict with the program. There is not much we can do about it, other than suggest you to revert to default DPI settings... :/

Or you could make it so the browser controls change their size depending on the user's DPI settings.

I'm using the default DPI settings. I haven't changed anything to do with the display (other than turning off the touchscreen) since I got this desktop.

Hmm... The title bar font size on the screenshot you provided is larger than usual. If you want, I can give you a semi-fixed build right a way, or you can wait for a few days until a new interim build is released.

That's okay. I'll wait. Also, I've noticed EVERYTHING on this screen is a little bigger than usual, probably because it's an AIO touchscreen so stuff has to be big enough to tap on. It may just be that my default settings are what's messing with the title bar.

It could be that there are some DPI settings that were factory changed to improve touch screen performance, as you said. Perhaps you could check them to make sure.

In other news, I'm already working on the next (interim) build, namely build 12. There are some minor UI changes as well as a new ability to completely disable tray icon. Also comming is a semi-fix for the above issue, the images of the buttons are now centered not tiled, so there will only be some empty space around them. Stay tuned for more news!

Whats up with this Unhanded exception? Is it using internet explorer as a base?
NVM i just didnt have internet explorer on my computer cause i did a custom install.
Tried it in virtual machine and it looks great! I think you should add a gui to set how long the top and bottom bars dissapear.

Unhanded exception
See the end of this message for details on invoking
just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

************** Exception Text **************
System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at poseidon.frmMain.btnFusion_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnClick(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnClick(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnMouseUp(MouseEventArgs mevent)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseUp(Message& m, MouseButtons button, Int32 clicks)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ButtonBase.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Button.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)