Here’s a short but sweet one. If you’re daunted by the task of creating OpenSearch plug-ins for your site or any of your favourite sites, fear no more. OpenSearchFox is a cool new Firefox extension that can create such plug-ins for you with a single click.
Is it really that simple?
Absolutely so. All you need to do is install the extension and then browse to the site you want to create the search plug-in for. Once you’re at the site, locate the Search Box and right-click on it. You’ll notice a new item named “Add OpenSearch plugin” in your menu. The item is accompanied by a blue magnifying glass icon to help you easily spot it. Just click on that and you’re done.
Only intermediary step involves a single dialog box which asks you to name the plugin whatever you feel like. The plug-in is created and added to your search engine list directly along with the fav-icon for the site. If the site lacks a fav-icon, you can always use one of your own through the same dialog box where you name the plugin.
Give it a try and see for yourself…
Those who still want to learn the inner workings of OpenSearch plug-ins and create one programmatically, here are a couple of resources for you:
This sounds like an extremely useful Firefox extension although it no longer seems to be available. Maybe it is just temporary. Hoping to see this available again at some point.
@Mozilla Firefox Download: I checked up on the link and indeed it has been removed from the Firefox Add-ons Repository – though I’m not sure why.
However, Googling a bit revealed a couple of other sites which have a working version of the extension available for download.
Here’s the link to the Softpedia download site. You can directly install the extension off their site. I tried installing it myself and it went through without a hitch on Firefox 2.0.0.14.
Alternatively, you can download a mirror copy of OpenSearchFox from my server.
Cheers,
m^e
Massively appreciated. Where in Thailand?
No problem at all 🙂 Enjoy this cool tool! I’m based in proper Bangkok. How about you ?
I am in the U.S. but have heard so many good things about Thailand. I have a couple friends in Pattaya and am really looking forward to visiting. Anyways, again, thank you very much for the updated information on this great Firefox add-on.
Hi,
Firefox 3 says this add-on is not compatible. Do you have plans to update it? It’s very useful!
Dave: I don’t know why it refuses to work for you – but I tried it myself on a fresh Firefox 3 installation and it got added without a hitch. I checked the code of the extension and there’s a declaration that enables it to work with any versions of Firefox in the series 3.0.x.
The extension also worked for me on my fresh copy of Firefox 3, maybe try reinstalling and hopefully it’ll go for ya.