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-   -   [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle (https://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=33349)

BrentDC 2009-10-23 00:55

[Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
TouchSearch is a “Desktop Widget” that runs directly on the home screen of your device and acts as a quick way to search many of the websites you use everyday. It features a sleek and simple interface that will allow you to search the web with ease.


Some built-in “search engines” (websites that you can search) are: Google web results, Amazon, Ebay auction listings, Dictionary.com, YouTube and more. TouchSearch also supports the installation of additional search engines, so you may add to TouchSearch any of the search engines located on the TouchSearch.org Addons page.


Some of the main features of TouchSearch are:
  • Quick-access to searching your favorites sites
  • Simple and clean interface
  • Customizable look
  • Support for searching sites in all supported languages
  • Free!
You can download TouchSearch from maemo.org's download page, here.

BrentDC 2009-10-24 18:50

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Here are a few screenshots of TouchSearch in action:

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/3604/desktopff.png

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/5868/preferencesv.png

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/5...archengine.png

lma 2009-10-24 22:32

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Screenshots look good, but... it doesn't appear in the "Add widget" dialog's list here :-(

BrentDC 2009-10-24 22:53

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Maybe try rebooting? This was a problem with previous python-hildondesktop versions, but since I specified a specific version, that shouldn't be the problem.

Let me know if doesn't show up after a reboot. Thanks.

lma 2009-10-25 09:11

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Yes, a reboot fixed it :-)

BrentDC 2009-10-25 16:04

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
I do have a question for those using it on a real device: is the widget finger-friendly enough? Specifically, the two buttons that sit on the desktop. They are 48x48 and am wondering whether I should use 64x64 instead. It is kind of hard to tell actual sizes on scratchbox. Thanks.

twaelti 2009-10-25 16:55

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Thanks Brent! It installed without any problem and showed up on the desktop. Enhancement requests:
  • The size of the buttons works well. Don't make it larger.
  • In the "Type A Search Query" dialogue, could you add a keyevent for ENTER to immediately start the search?
  • In the same dialogue, let the user touch the searchengine logo to change the search engine used in another way?
  • The button is very dark, what about a thin semi-transparent frame around it like other widgets have?
  • The right button is incomprehensible. What does it represent? Using a pulldown/choose button as seen in other apps.
  • In "Select A Site To Search", mark the current searchengine when opening the dialogue - otherwise cancelling it will change the search to Google.
  • Compared to Nokias search widget in OS2008: Is there some kind of config file available to modify? How can we add our own searches? Could GConf help?
Anyway - I like the widget very much. It looks really good and works well :-) Thanks again!

BrentDC 2009-10-26 02:50

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by twaelti (Post 357749)
Thanks Brent! It installed without any problem and showed up on the desktop. Enhancement requests:
  • The size of the buttons works well. Don't make it larger.
  • In the "Type A Search Query" dialogue, could you add a keyevent for ENTER to immediately start the search?
  • In the same dialogue, let the user touch the searchengine logo to change the search engine used in another way?
  • The button is very dark, what about a thin semi-transparent frame around it like other widgets have?
  • The right button is incomprehensible. What does it represent? Using a pulldown/choose button as seen in other apps.
  • In "Select A Site To Search", mark the current searchengine when opening the dialogue - otherwise cancelling it will change the search to Google.
  • Compared to Nokias search widget in OS2008: Is there some kind of config file available to modify? How can we add our own searches? Could GConf help?
Anyway - I like the widget very much. It looks really good and works well :-) Thanks again!

  • Good :)
  • Could you file a bug on this (bugs.maemo.org > TouchSearch)? That is a serious one. Thanks.
  • Someone else suggested that; it shouldn't be to difficult to implement.
  • The RSS widget in Scratchbox looks very dark, so I figured that was the UI style. Semi-transparent would require me to mess with Cairo (?), and frankly, that's been my house of horrors.
  • Could you link to something like that, or if it's a stock item just tell me the name? Thanks.
  • I'll look into that. The "close-auto-selects-google" is a bug. It has to do with the (kludge) I'm using to call the hildon.PickerDialog.
  • I plan on adding many more searches to the applet in future versions -- but would also like to implement a way for users to add their own.


Thanks for all the comments! Oh, also: could you add a thumbs up to the package page (link)? I'm trying to get this pushed to Extras. Thanks!

lma 2009-10-26 03:02

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by BrentDC (Post 357729)
I do have a question for those using it on a real device: is the widget finger-friendly enough?

Yes, the size of the buttons is absolutely fine.

codeMonkey 2009-11-30 11:48

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by BrentDC (Post 357963)
  • I plan on adding many more searches to the applet in future versions -- but would also like to implement a way for users to add their own.

I second this - we could always go and play with the .py, but a nice configurable way of doing it would be fantastic :)

Chapbass 2009-11-30 16:28

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by codeMonkey (Post 400454)
I second this - we could always go and play with the .py, but a nice configurable way of doing it would be fantastic :)

Thirded. Having it be configurable would make my n900 life amazing. I saw this app and immediately thought "imdb.com?" heck, it'd be even cooler if we could incorporate one for maemo talk, to easily search the forums for questions!

twaelti 2009-11-30 21:10

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
In Maemo 4, there was a Desktop Search Applet included by default. Here is how it worked to add more search engines: you just have to add your own .xml in a certain folder (/usr/share/mis) and add a icon to (\usr\share\icons\hicolor\scalable)
Code:

<search name="ebay"
        icon="/usr/share/icons/hicolor/scalable/hildon/mis_ebay.png"
        action="http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll"
        user-input="query">
        <input name="MfcISAPICommand" value="GetResult"/>
        <input name="ht" value="1"/>
        <input name="ebaytag1" value="ebayreg"/>
        <input name="srchdesc" value="n"/>
</search>

I suggest you add something very similar (however, please use a folder in /opt :-)
And for the Google Maps search: Could you include my maeMaps version instead of the default Google Maps site? Is much handier on the N900 :-) Here you have an example link/query

BrentDC 2009-12-01 20:37

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Chapbass (Post 400891)
Thirded. Having it be configurable would make my n900 life amazing. I saw this app and immediately thought "imdb.com?" heck, it'd be even cooler if we could incorporate one for maemo talk, to easily search the forums for questions!

Hi,

Both IMDB & maemo.org searches will be added for the next release.

User-added searches might be the next release after that (probably sometime in January after Finals).

BrentDC 2009-12-01 20:40

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by twaelti (Post 401488)
In Maemo 4, there was a Desktop Search Applet included by default. Here is how it worked to add more search engines: you just have to add your own .xml in a certain folder (/usr/share/mis) and add a icon to (\usr\share\icons\hicolor\scalable)
Code:

<search name="ebay"
        icon="/usr/share/icons/hicolor/scalable/hildon/mis_ebay.png"
        action="http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll"
        user-input="query">
        <input name="MfcISAPICommand" value="GetResult"/>
        <input name="ht" value="1"/>
        <input name="ebaytag1" value="ebayreg"/>
        <input name="srchdesc" value="n"/>
</search>

I suggest you add something very similar (however, please use a folder in /opt :-)
And for the Google Maps search: Could you include my maeMaps version instead of the default Google Maps site? Is much handier on the N900 :-) Here you have an example link/query

Sure, I can change to MaeMaps -- for next release.

Chapbass 2009-12-01 22:15

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by BrentDC (Post 403467)
Hi,

Both IMDB & maemo.org searches will be added for the next release.

User-added searches might be the next release after that (probably sometime in January after Finals).

Not to be naggy at all, but another one would be wikipedia. I'm sure you've already thought of that, but I figured I would mention it just in case :).

This will definitely be an app I will be testing when I get my n900. Very nice job!

mobilefan 2009-12-04 04:57

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
How do you select the search engine? Like switch to look for in Amazon, Ebay, Dictionary, etc? I only see Google as a choice.

sorodoros 2009-12-04 05:24

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
press the +

Laughing Man 2009-12-10 03:18

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
What's ghosted suppose to look like? Transparent? Since it's just a black box for me. o.O

BrentDC 2009-12-10 18:17

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Laughing Man (Post 420097)
What's ghosted suppose to look like? Transparent? Since it's just a black box for me. o.O

"Ghosted" refers to the grayscale look if the website logos -- in the next version you will be able to select "Color", too. The black-box look will hopefully be changed to a semi-transparent rounded-corner look in either the next version, or the one after that.

iceman600 2009-12-11 02:28

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by BrentDC (Post 357332)

where did u get ur theme? i like it

krishna9349 2009-12-11 03:21

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
please share the theme. Its really good. Thanks

BrentDC 2009-12-11 04:22

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
The theme comes preinstalled on the Software Development Kit -- it isn't available on the device? I don't actually have a device, so I don't know!

YoDude 2009-12-11 13:35

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Excellent BrentDC !

I will install and promote when I can. :)

BTW, how about also adding this for us folks in the cheap seats...

Google for Mobile:

action="http://www.google.com/m/search" searches will return results formatted for a mobile device if available.

BrentDC 2009-12-11 18:02

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by YoDude (Post 422745)
Excellent BrentDC !

I will install and promote when I can. :)

BTW, how about also adding this for us folks in the cheap seats...

Google for Mobile:

action="http://www.google.com/m/search" searches will return results formatted for a mobile device if available.

Hi,

I forgot to update the first post, but I did now. It has been uploaded to regular Extras, and no voting is needed. You can now easily install it like every other extras app.

Concerning mobile Google, I used to use it a lot but switched to regular Google. I really prefer the full Google experience, so I don't think I'll change it. Of course, when I add user-selected search engines, you could always add it manually. :)

BrentDC 2009-12-31 22:23

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Just posting here to give a brief update on what is happening with TouchSearch:

Currently version 1.2-2 is available from Extras. This is it's initial release.

About a week ago I uploaded version 1.3-2 to extras-testing, it adds many new things to the initial release like:

* You can know press the Return key on the keyboard to initiate a search
* There is an option to select what logo style you prefer (Ghosted or Color)
* Additional search engines have been added, including Wikipedia, IMDb, Youtube, and Amazon.

It currently has +6 karma and needs +10 to be promoted to Extras, so if you have installed it, and it is working well, vote it up!

As of now I am working on version 2.0-1. It will have many improvements over previous versions. Notably, it will have a new Configure Search Engines dialog that allows you to customize TouchSearch exactly to your needs. Below are a few screenshots of it in action:

The main Configure Search Engine Dialog:
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/j...231-113701.png

Deleting a search engine:
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/j...231-113914.png

Editing a search engine:
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/j...231-113710.png

The add search engine wizard:
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/j...231-113720.png

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/j...231-113730.png

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/j...231-113822.png

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/j...231-113854.png

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/j...231-113903.png

There is still quite a bit of work left to do here, so a public release is not expected until mid-January. As always, if you have found a bug in the current version or would really like to see a feature implemented, file it in TouchSearch's Bug-tracker.

codeMonkey 2009-12-31 22:55

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Version 2 is looking nice :) Keep up the good work :)

evad 2010-01-05 15:05

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by BrentDC (Post 448397)
As of now I am working on version 2.0-1. It will have many improvements over previous versions. Notably, it will have a new Configure Search Engines dialog that allows you to customize TouchSearch exactly to your needs.

This is exactly the feature I am eager to see, in the context of http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=39214 :)

Do you have any ETA for v2.0-1 to appear in dev/extras repo?

BrentDC 2010-01-05 16:06

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by evad (Post 454017)
This is exactly the feature I am eager to see, in the context of http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=39214 :)

That is a really cool concept. I hadn't known about that before. I might implement something similar in future TS versions (or even have a whole separate app that uses this method).

Quote:

Do you have any ETA for v2.0-1 to appear in dev/extras repo?
I'm thinking mid-January, still. Maybe a little sooner, I'll have to see how much time I can put into it this coming weekend :)

evad 2010-01-05 16:18

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by BrentDC (Post 454097)
That is a really cool concept. I hadn't known about that before. I might implement something similar in future TS versions (or even have a whole separate app that uses this method).

Thanks. Nice to hear that :) Actually, I have an idea which I'll describe to you about on PM.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrentDC (Post 454097)
I'm thinking mid-January, still. Maybe a little sooner, I'll have to see how much time I can put into it this coming weekend :)

I totally understand. I face similar problems when developing my own projects. ;)

BrentDC 2010-01-05 20:48

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by evad (Post 454113)
Thanks. Nice to hear that :) Actually, I have an idea which I'll describe to you about on PM.

I totally understand. I face similar problems when developing my own projects. ;)

Replied to PM. :)

BrentDC 2010-01-08 02:17

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Hi all,

I was able to find some time and have released TouchSearch 2.0-1 into extras-devel and since promoted it to extras-testing (testing page here).

As always, feel free to report any bugs in the maemo.org bugzilla.

Thanks!

evad 2010-01-08 08:12

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by BrentDC (Post 458536)
Hi all,

I was able to find some time and have released TouchSearch 2.0-1 into extras-devel and since promoted it to extras-testing (testing page here).

As always, feel free to report any bugs in the maemo.org bugzilla.

Thanks!

Just got update from extras-testing and I'm impressed! Good work! :) Although adding new search engine was sligthy confusing at first, didn't know what is the "query" field for. But I figured it out later on so I now have my microbar by default right on my desktop, yay! :)

BoeMatic 2010-01-08 10:18

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by evad (Post 458784)
Just got update from extras-testing and I'm impressed! Good work! :) Although adding new search engine was sligthy confusing at first, didn't know what is the "query" field for. But I figured it out later on so I now have my microbar by default right on my desktop, yay! :)

Cann you explain how it actually works? I tried to add dict.cc but i wasn't successfull :confused:

evad 2010-01-08 10:27

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by BoeMatic (Post 458914)
Cann you explain how it actually works? I tried to add dict.cc but i wasn't successfull :confused:

Try:
URL: http://www.something.com/?q=replaceme
Query: replaceme

Brent, as you can see it's not only confusing me. I'd suggest simplifying this by getting rid of "Query" box and adding a little note under "URL" field saying sth like "Use %s sign where a query string should be placed".

BoeMatic 2010-01-08 10:38

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by evad (Post 458923)
Try:
URL: http://www.something.com/?q=replaceme
Query: replaceme

Brent, as you can see it's not only confusing me. I'd suggest simplifying this by getting rid of "Query" box and adding a little note under "URL" field saying sth like "Use %s sign where a query string should be placed".

Ahhh thank you very much :D now it works.

BrentDC 2010-01-08 16:06

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Hi,

I'm aware thet the fields can be a bit confusing at first, so that is why I had the warning that it is important to read the help.

When you click on Help in the options dialog it should go to this little webpage I put up (the site still needs a ton of work, but the FAQ page ls finished):

http://touchsearch.org/index.php?opt...d=47&Itemid=30

There it goes into great detail on how to add search engines :)

evad 2010-01-08 16:10

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by BrentDC (Post 459407)
Hi,

I'm aware thet the fields can be a bit confusing at first, so that is why I had the warning that it is important to read the help.

When you click on Help in the options dialog it should go to this little webpage I put up (the site still needs a ton of work, but the FAQ page ls finished):

http://touchsearch.org/index.php?opt...d=47&Itemid=30

There it goes into great detail on how to add search engines :)

Who reads help files nowadays? ;)

BrentDC 2010-01-08 16:16

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by evad (Post 459415)
Who reads help files nowadays? ;)

Yeah, I know....

But, since adding search engines isn't the easiest thing in the world (for example, you can't do it on Firefox), those that want to need to read the help.

Or forever hold their peace. :D

evad 2010-01-08 16:23

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by BrentDC (Post 459427)
Yeah, I know....

But, since adding search engines isn't the easiest thing in the world (for example, you can't do it on Firefox), those that want to need to read the help.

Or forever hold their peace. :D

Nonetheless, you could still drop "Query" box, allow typing "%s" marker directly within URL and explain that in details in help. This way at least advanced users won't get confused, as %s is pretty widely recognizable "replaceme" sign in such things, isn't it? ;)

cddiede 2010-01-08 16:45

Re: [Announce] TouchSearch for Fremantle
 
Really excited to download this package!

However, I just grabbed it from the app manager and it's not showing up on my desktop. I know it's enabled since it shows as installed and doesn't appear in my list of inactive widgets in my desktop's "add widget" dialog.

I've seen this problem before ( looking at you DiggHomeWidget...) but a reboot usually solved it. This time, I've rebooted twice and still can't see the touchsearch widget.

Any tips?


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