Announcing the Blorp Mac App Preview – Available to Test Now!

Blorp is at a stage where there's still plenty of work to do, but I’m ready to start gathering feedback. The main areas that need improvement are enhancing the post creation experience and adding the ability to sign up directly through Blorp.

That said, Blorp is already very usable. I’ve chosen to launch the Mac app first because, among all the Lemmy clients, the desktop space is the least saturated. I’m starting with Mac since that’s where I’ve done all my testing, but the plan is to expand to Linux and Windows as well.

I’d love for you to download Blorp for Mac! If you’re not ready to install it yet, or you're not on a mac but still want to check it out, you can use the web version at blorpblorp.xyz.

Did I mention, Blorp is open source? You can read all the code on our GitHub.

Other platforms coming soon:

iOS

Android

Linux

Windows

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[–] BoJackHorseman@lemm.ee 1 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

This looks good. Waiting for the android app.

You have a good name. I suggest spending some time to brainstorm a serious name because the app is good and could go mainstream

[–] moseschrute@lemmy.ml 1 points 5 hours ago

Lol. While I was building my app I didn’t have a name for the first month. Then I came up with Blorp and my gf was like “yeahhh keep working on the name”. My thought process is that it’s most important that the name stick in your head so when your friend is like “I’m using Blorp” later when you go to download it, you remember the name. I’m also not a fan of Lemmy’s mouse branding. So I wanted a name that sticks in your brain and to ditch the typical Lemmy branding.

But if someone comes up with a better name, I’ll consider it. Naming things is hard lol.

[–] BoJackHorseman@lemm.ee 1 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

Why is every UI app defaulting to lemm.ee? Is it the new default? Used to be lemmy.world

[–] moseschrute@lemmy.ml 1 points 5 hours ago

For me its 50% because it seems the accept new users the fastest (from my very unscientific test) and 50% because Voyager does it so it must be the right way lol. Initially I had it randomizing between the most popular instaces, but I decided to simplify it and have it default to lemm.ee. I don’t feel that strongly. If someone presented a good argument for why I should change it, I would consider it.

[–] Irelephant@lemm.ee 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

This looks great!

Its the only client i've seen that isn't extremely overwhelming.

[–] moseschrute@lemmy.ml 1 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Thank you! Would love for you to joing the beta, either iOS or macOS for now. I will be rolling out other platforms based on demand, but I really need some early user feedback to help focus the work I do.

[–] Irelephant@lemm.ee 1 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I don't have an iOS or macOS device right now, aside from an aincient 2010 macbook pro, sorry.

[–] moseschrute@lemmy.ml 1 points 4 days ago (1 children)

The web version is also available! If you try it, feel free to submit any bugs through GitHub (linked in setting tab).

[–] Irelephant@lemm.ee 2 points 4 days ago

If i find any i'll submit them!

[–] xnx@slrpnk.net 6 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Looks really great on mobile! Just needs a Hide Read Posts button

[–] moseschrute@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 week ago

Coming in the next update!

[–] pewgar_seemsimandroid@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 points 1 week ago (1 children)

reddit ui on lemmy

[–] moseschrute@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Is that a positive or negative reaction? lol

[–] Irelephant@lemm.ee 3 points 4 days ago

Some people like the reddit ui.

It is infinietly better than the reddit ui though.

[–] pewgar_seemsimandroid@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 1 week ago

not sure

[–] Blaze@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 1 week ago

Great project, looks very good!

[–] freamon@preferred.social 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Looks great! Is there any info about what architecture / OS versions are supported for Mac? The only Apple hardware I have is a 12 year old MacBook Air (I realise I could just download it and find out, but that would involve me getting up off the sofa). Thanks.

[–] moseschrute@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

It might actually just work. The build I’m distributing is a universal build that should work on Intel and Apple Silicon-based Macs. I’m not 100% sure what the minimum macOS version supported currently is.

I would say just try it, but I’m curious what macOS version you are on and if it works. I’ll see what I can do to expand support to older versions if people want that.

[–] freamon@preferred.social 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Ah, no. Sadly not. It installed okay, but just presents a big white window when I ran it. The OS version is BigSur (the highest that machine will run).

I doubt it's an Issue you'll need to prioritise, 'cos others in my position have likely just installed Linux instead.

[–] moseschrute@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 week ago

Appriciate you taking the time to try it! If you have time time, could you right click and "inspect element”? Then go to “console”. If possible could you paste everything in console in a DM to me? If you dont see “inspect element” as an option, then there is probably something else going on.

This sounds like it might be an issue with the app itself, not BigSur. Might be able to get it fixed easily.

[–] Saltycracker@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

My eyes enjoyed that.

[–] moseschrute@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 week ago

My eyes enjoyed your comment.

[–] Sunshine@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Nice! Another fine third-party app to the collection!

[–] moseschrute@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

LOL. Reminds me of this

[–] Sunshine@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 week ago

Hey now every Lemmy app does something unique. The more competition the better ;)