Run Basecamp as a desktop application using Mozilla Prism

Posted by Morven on 25 August 2009 | 0 Comments

Tags: Basecamp, Dev

As we start to use Basecamp more for our project management, I am finding that just having it open as a tab in my browser is becoming quite difficult to manage. Thankfully Mozilla (the guys who give us FireFox) have stepped in and provided a neat little program called Prism.

Prism is "an application that lets users split web applications out of their browser and run them directly on their desktop". It is very handy if you have web applications that you use regularly and worry about loosing half written messages if/when your browser crashes, slows down or becomes unstable in some way.

Luckily, it's incredibly simple to setup a web app to run from your desktop using Prism, and here is how you do it (If you want to use the Basecamp Icon, for the last step of this process it can be downloaded from 37 Signals:

The FireFox way.

If you use FireFox, you can use the Prism add on:

1. First (Using FireFox) vist the Prism add-on page at: Firefox addons site.
2. Click "Add to FireFox" and then click install from the popup box.
3. Restart FireFox.
4. Once restarted, visit the Oomph Basecamp site.
5. If you are not already logged in, do so.
6. Now click "Tools -> Convert Website to Application".The default settings should be fine, though you may wish to add remove shortcut locations under "Create Shortcuts".
7. Next, if you downloaded the Basecamp logo above, you can use it for your icon by clicking "Settings" under "Icon" and then selecting choose. Now navigate and select the icon. 
8. Finally click ok, and a new shortcut will be added to your chosen locations.

The Standalone way.

If you do not use FireFox, or would like to keep FireFox and Prism totally separate:

1. Visit the Mozilla Prism downloads page and click "Download Prism".
2. Install Prism, and run it.
3. Now, under URL enter: https://oomphagency.basecamphq.com/ 
4. Under name enter whatever you would like your shortcut to be called.
5. You may wish to add remove shortcut locations under "Create Shortcuts".
6. Next, if you downloaded the Basecamp logo above, you can use it for your icon by clicking "Settings" under "Icon" and then selecting choose. Now navigate and select the icon.
7. Finally click ok, and a new shortcut will be added to your chosen locations.

In both instances Running the created shortcut will open the Basecamp as a separate application, detached from your browser. Just enter your login details and away you go.