29 replies to this topic

[Cephei1]

Search Assist (aka. Search Now)

This is something that I wrote for saving time searching in the search-engines/websites that are common - Google | YouTube | IMDb | Wikipedia (suggest sites you would like through the suggestion form)

How it works
When you press and hold the shortcut-control which you have set, just like a tooltip, the SearchBoxes (see below) will appear. Then simply type and press enter or click the logo to search.

You can also highlight the word/phrase before pressing the shortcut-control and it will automatically be entered into the search boxes, then simply click the logo to search.
Features
Search Results: Open searches in new browser tab or window
Colour of Searchboxes: Can be changed through the Preferences menu
Order of Searchboxes: Can be adjusted to keep your most used ones at the top
Show or Hide: You can hide the Search engines you do not use
Shortcut-control: Set the trigger of Search boxes to anything you like
Game Mode: This is another word for "Enable/Disable" the script. This is necessary incase the Shortcut-control you are using interferes with something else and you want to quickly disable it.
Suggestion / Bug form (See Important below): I've also designed a simple form for you to fill out if you want to help me improve Search Assist!
Automatic Updates (See Important below): the utility automatically checks for updates and asks if you want to install them
Easy Installer: the utility is inside an Installation file which makes it easier to set up/remove
Important
Two features requires internet access! Grant Firewall access when prompted for two important reasons:
1. Updates: Contains new features that you suggested and fixes for bugs.
2. Suggestion/bug form: Requires internet to send me your feedback.
How to enable internet access for SearchAssist:
During Installation: As soon as the installation is completed, you will be promted by your firewall that SearchAssist is trying to access the Internet - ALLOW IT
If you already denied access: Open up your firewall settings and find SeachAssist.exe and change its setting to allow access to internet![/list]
Previews

Pictures are not available because autohotkey.net site is down.
Search Boxes
Preferences
Suggestion / Bug report form
Tray Menu[/list]
User Suggestions Log


Suggestion #1 - 30/06/2012 18:32.50
Two suggestions: 1) it would be nice to be able to hit the escape key if the user decides not to search. 2) the ability to move the various search engines up or down in the order.

Response:
1. Escape to Cancel Search: Will be implemented in v1.12
SearchAssist saves the last active window before SearchBoxes appear, to cancel the search, simply click anywhere where on the screen to (outside the SearchBoxes ofcourse) to cancel and SearchAssist will reactivate the your last active window.2. Order of Search Boxes: Already present through Advanced Settings.
A User friendly version of SearchBox ordering implemented in v1.12[/list][/list][/list]
Suggestion #2 - 30/06/2012 16:54.10
haven't found any bugs yet!!
one suggestion might be to have the searches open in a separate instance of the web browser. They currently open in a new tab when using google chrome. I can't speak for the other browsers as I haven't tried them yet.
...
It's awesome!!! brief suggestion: If I click close to the RIGHT side of my screen... the tooltip will go off the page. It may be good to move the tooltip under the cursor when it gets close to the rights side of the screen!

Response:
1. Open in new tab/window: Will be implemented in v1.12 - Option in Preferences.
2. SearchBoxes appearing 'off the screen' bug: Will be fixed in v1.12
[/list][/list][/list]
I believe that covers the basics!
Don't forget to Comment

Cephei1

[0x150--ISO]

Nice work!

[Cephei1]

Hi 0x150

Thank you.

I haven't tested software on another computer. Have you installed it? If so:
1. Did your firewall ask for permission to allow Search Assist to connect to the internet?
2. Would you kindly submit a test feedback form so I see that it works on other computers.

If you haven't installed it, do you mind trying for me?

Thanks in advance.

[0x150--ISO]

I ran it virtually on Win7 32&64 with AHK_L installed.
The searches work as they should in Firefox 13.0.1

It does ask me for firewall permissions.
I'm not able to call the feedback form on the virtual system ( virtual system blocks certain keys/clicks ).

I found a bug if you call up Preferences
and then double click the tray icon again you get a duplicate GUI variable error

Error: The same variable cannot be used for more than one control.

Specifically: VGooglePos

Line#
---> 277: Gui,2: Add,DDL,x+15 yp-3 w100 gSave V%SearchSubSetting1%Pos Choose%SearchSubSetting2%,Visibility

The current thread will exit.

Funny how AHK displays the line data on error.

[Cephei1]

Hehehe, I was just waiting for someone to say that lol I had my reasons but I've removed the password now

Installer - Allows easy setup and removal!

[Cephei1]

My scripts such as this one are not used by AHK community alone. My friends who have very basic level of computer knowledge use it too, and for them, installation is the simplest form of method. Installation allows all the necessary shortcuts to be created (i.e. Startup), registries and much, much more. I respect your opinion, AHK is portable and an executable in a folder with its resources is simple, but it's not convenient for non-programmers.

[ilubahk]

Too cool! Gives me some inspiration as to what can be done. Out of curiosity, how long did it take you to develop this?

[Cephei1]

Thank you ilubahk. Much appreciated
Total hours roughly 24-36 hours spread over about 1 month.

[fragman]

Nice script! I have some similar functionality in my upcoming version of 7plus, but its handling is a bit different as I incorporated it into a launcher window. A usage example would be to select text, open the window with a hotkey (Default: ALT+Space), and type a keyword for the search engine (e.g. g for Google, w for Wiki, gm for Google Maps,...) and press enter afterwards. Alternatively one can type the keyword and the search term afterwards. Search engines are fully customizable by the user so he can add his own. If you want to add custom defined searches you might need a way to let the user specify a background image (and supply a generic default one).

[Cephei1]

Thanks so much Fragman!

I agree, I am still working on SearchAssist, I add new features whenever I get a new ideas and your ideas sounds exciting. I can't wait for your 7Plus, looking forward to it

[sebomstian]

You're wikipedia search seems to be incorrect. When i try to do a search on wikipedia on for example "apples"
Then this comes up:

<!-- m -->http://en.wikipediap...ikipedia/apples<!-- m -->

instead of:

<!-- m -->http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apples<!-- m -->

[Xx7]

I like it! do you have the source code?

[Cephei1]

Thanks for the Wikipedia report @Sebomstian, it's fixed and included in the update (v 1.11).

Thank you @Xx7 - Currently, i'm in the process of clearing up the source code. It's so difficult to navigate. If I post it as it is now, I promise you will not understand it The code is a Hybrid of two codes: If the code is being run as Compiled or Uncompiled. This means that throughout the code, for each segment of the code, you will see two versions: "If A_IsCompiled" or "If Not A_IsCompiled". I hope that makes sense, I will post it shortly, just bear with me

PS. Can one of you please submit a Bug report through SearchAssist using the form. I have not received a single report since it's launch and i'm starting to think there might be a bug So please can someone report a bug through the form in SearchAssist.