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How do I add a search function
I'm currently on day 2 of a 30 day trial of Web Designer 10. Sorry if this is a stupid question.
Most websites have a "Search" function. Can anyone tell me how to add a Search button or text box to, for example, the beta_2website.web template, preferably at top right corner, e.g. "Home | ... | Blog | About | Search"? http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/thinking.gif
I assume that Web Designer 10 can also automatically add the necessary code for searching the current website and/or allow me to select from options, but I can't find it or any reference to it in the help or faq's, etc.
Dell Vostro 3550 i5 8GB Win7 Pro 32bit.
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Re: How do I add a search function
Welcome to TalkGraphics
No, Web Designer 10 cannot add a search function natively. But you can use a third party solution such as AddSearch http://www.addsearch.com/
AddSearch generates a script that you can add to a placeholder (see Help > Index > Placeholder Objects).
I used AddSearch on this website http://www.placitasartists.com/
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Re: How do I add a search function
Thanks for that link, unfortunately I have to keep costs down. I was hoping there'd be an internal way to do this, like a simple database word-matching function. I'm surprised that at least a "plain vanilla" search is not built-in.
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Re: How do I add a search function
Did you not notice the free version - will do up to 500 pages?
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Re: How do I add a search function
Oops - no I did not! I stopped scrolling at "Enterprise" http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/hehe.gif
Thanks for pointing that out.
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Re: How do I add a search function
To Gary,
This seems fine to search my website, but do you known a methode in Web Designer to search in an Excel file (htm-format) that I'm displaying using objectdata code in the placeholder of the object.
Frank
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Re: How do I add a search function
Hi Frank - I do not. But maybe one of the other members will have some suggestions.
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Re: How do I add a search function
Quote:
Originally Posted by
gwpriester
Welcome to TalkGraphics
No, Web Designer 10 cannot add a search function natively. But you can use a third party solution such as AddSearch
http://www.addsearch.com/
AddSearch generates a script that you can add to a placeholder (see Help > Index > Placeholder Objects).
I used AddSearch on this website
http://www.placitasartists.com/
Thanks for this link Gary - works perfectly!
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Re: How do I add a search function
I discovered one drawback to AddSearch however. You are limited to 500 searches. After 500 searches the search function will still work but AddSearch will not index any new pages you add. After that point it's $9US a month if you wish to have your new pages indexed.
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Re: How do I add a search function
Quote:
Originally Posted by
GK5
To Gary,
This seems fine to search my website, but do you known a methode in Web Designer to search in an Excel file (htm-format) that I'm displaying using objectdata code in the placeholder of the object.
Frank
Frank, a Placeholder sets up a slot where the HTML contents are placed; you draw a box but the export renders the Excel data.
To a search engine the data is there and searchable so there shouldn't be any problem (other than it is Excel HTML, which is usually very bloated).
Acorn
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Re: How do I add a search function
Gary has Atomz - http://www.atomz.com/ died?
Acorn
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Re: How do I add a search function
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Re: How do I add a search function
I've been looking at the addsearch site referenced above, and I'm wondering if I can use it via the HTML placeholder before I have actually published my site. Can you give more detail as to how you installed the HTML code in Web Designer?
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Re: How do I add a search function
I think the site has to be published to allow the search engine to index your site.
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Re: How do I add a search function
Annoyed with all current offerings, I've thrown this together this evening.
It relies on Google knowing about your site.
It is a Placeholder Widget using Javascript so you need to modify the red code in the Body section.
Play with the other parts at your own peril - no support can be offered; e.g., you can remove to have your results replace your current browser page.
Code:
<script type="text/javascript">//Enter domain of site to search.
var domain="www.stourpaine.info" //replace this with your site domain
function GoogleSiteSearch(cur){
cur.q.value="site:"+domain+" "+cur.searchTerm.value
}
</script>
<form action="http://www.google.com/search" method="get" target="_blank" onSubmit="GoogleSiteSearch(this)">
<p>Search [[Your website]]:<br /> <!--replace [[...]] with your details -->
<input name="searchTerm" type="text" style="width: 200px" /> <input type="submit" value="Search" /></p>
<input name="q" type="hidden" />
</form>
It defaults to a community site I support, which used atomz for its Search.
Acorn
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1 Attachment(s)
Re: How do I add a search function
The missing demonstration file: Attachment 103687
Acorn
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Acorn
Annoyed with all current offerings, I've thrown this together this evening.
It relies on Google knowing about your site.
It is a Placeholder Widget using Javascript so you need to modify the red code in the Body section.
Play with the other parts at your own peril - no support can be offered; e.g., you can remove to have your results replace your current browser page.
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Re: How do I add a search function
Re Atomz:
Quote:
An update on this: I receved this email 03/04/3014 as a reply to my email to sp-support@omniture.com which are owned by Adobe.
"Thank you for your inquiry regarding the Atomz Search offering. Unfortunately this service has been retired, and will no longer be available beginning on 3/31/14.
The deadline for this offering was originally set for 12/21/13, and was extended twice, once until 2/1/14, and again until 3/31/14, but we will be unable to extend the service any further. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you and your site.
Kindest regards,
Adobe Digital Marketing
Product Migration Team"
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Re: How do I add a search function
Acorn - This is really cool, but, is there any way to get it to search a specific site instead of searching the entire web?
For example, searching for: Acorn site:talkgraphics.com limits the search to just TalkGraphics. Is there some way to modify your script to limit the search?
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Re: How do I add a search function
Great solution Acorn. Google do their own site search for free but it comes with ads. Your solution is far better as it appears ad free provided of course Google's crawled you site.
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Re: How do I add a search function
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Egg Bramhill
Re Atomz:
A case of buying out the competition?
Acorn
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Re: How do I add a search function
Quote:
Originally Posted by
gwpriester
Acorn - This is really cool, but, is there any way to get it to search a specific site instead of searching the entire web?
For example, searching for: Acorn site:talkgraphics.com limits the search to just TalkGraphics. Is there some way to modify your script to limit the search?
Gary, it is limited to your site where you change the domain value: var domain="www.stourpaine.info" //replace this with your site domain.
I assume you are after more than this?
It is just the same as your example where the domain value would be changed to: var domain="talkgraphics.com" //replace this with your site domain.
Acorn
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Re: How do I add a search function
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Egg Bramhill
I am hoping that provided Google don't go to the wall or change their search engine API too much, this might run for a few years.
Acorn
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Re: How do I add a search function
OK, done. http://www.placitasartists.com/ Can I change the search box color?
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Re: How do I add a search function
Gary, do you mean the garish yellow?
If so, it's only a box at the back of the Placeholder.
The area around the actual Search is transparent.
Were you wanting the input field to have a colour other than white?
Acorn
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Re: How do I add a search function
Yes the background color for the input box itself. Not sure what garish yellow you are referring to though.
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1 Attachment(s)
Re: How do I add a search function
Gary, as a one-off special anniversary edition, here is an updated version:
Attachment 103709
The CSS patch red detail can be changed to tune the input box's presentation.
Acorn
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Re: How do I add a search function
This is great information thanks for the thread!
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Re: How do I add a search function
Thanks once again Egg for all your hard work!
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Re: How do I add a search function
Did you not notice the free version - will do up to 500 pages? Web Designer 10 cannot add a search function
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Re: How do I add a search function
@waldswin Yes, I did notice and comment on the free version. AddSearch. But it does have a limit of 500 pages and the pro bono site I do for my local art community has reached 500 searches and I do not feel like paying $9 a month if it is not necessary.
Acorn - Thanks. You rock.
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Re: How do I add a search function
Hi all - useful thread. I am wondering whether xara will consider adding a means to include a search function to a website, something like one gets in serif's webplus?
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Re: How do I add a search function
Hi Hunterdan
Have you read any of the posts in this thread?
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Re: How do I add a search function
Quote:
Originally Posted by
gwpriester
Hi Hunterdan
Have you read any of the posts in this thread?
Yes, I have, thank you. [I had to log in with a second account as the thing won't let me do so with my first one, for some strange reason, even after I changed my password. I do hope that my posts are not viewed as spam, simply because I mention a competitor]
Re the info/posts on the thread. I do not use data mining scripts on my sites, if I can help it - I don't use my sites to give away data created by visitor behaviour, which helps to trace them and serve them ads. If it works for you, that's great, though I should tell you that the search function on your site is not very elegant. Personally, I don't use google if I can help it (try ixquick.com, instead), and any site that sends me to it is not likely to get a second look from me.
Now, for my actual question - I asked something which is not answered on this thread, here it is again - any indication that xara (magix or whatever) will include a function to add search boxes to sites. I mentioned webplus because I use it as well as xara web designer premium (v.8). I like certain aspects in the latter, and I have been looking at what the newer version (v.10 premium) offers with a view to upgrade. Then I see that it still doesn't have many of the features offered by the former. Like search, or a form builder, or shop cart, etc... It relies on third party scripts, instead (aka widgets). Needless to say, for these reasons I will not be upgrading my version of Web Designer MX Premium, which is probably what many others are doing.
So you see, I think it important that the question I posed is looked at more seriously. Because if I have a choice between a drag-n-drop function to add a self-contained search functionality within my website, or using a piece of software which doesn't have a similar function and which makes me dependent on data-harvesting external scripts, guess which one I am likely to go with?
Thank you for your time.
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Re: How do I add a search function
Hunterdan - My apologies if I was rude.
My best guess is, unless it is a widget, then the answer is no. Xara believes in the flexibility of using placeholders to add the best solution to a problem like adding a search function, or various other scripts.
One solution I have used in the past is www.addsearch.com It is free (for the first 500 searches--then you have to subscribe) and does a good job of indexing your site and provides add free results. A subscription is not cheap, but if you have a site that can afford it, then this is a good way to go.
Acorn has a simple script that also works well, (see this link in this thread http://www.talkgraphics.com/showthre...460#post512460 ) and I think it is included in this thread. I have used it here www.PlacitasArtists.com Enter something like Pastel or Painting and it uses Google to provide the results. It is free and uses a placeholder to add it to the page.
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Re: How do I add a search function
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Re: How do I add a search function
Quote:
Originally Posted by
gwpriester
Hunterdan - My apologies if I was rude.
You weren't rude, Gary :) Perhaps my tone is a bit abrupt, sorry about that.
Addsearch charges $9 per month (which works out to be more Aussie $), and it seems a great script if you are into targeted marketing and have a very large site.
The script which Acorn kindly shared is also great, if you don't mind repelling visitors who avoid google. It is a growing trend, as increasingly web users resent having their surfing habits and personal preferences harvested as data to be used in targeted advertising - I am one of those. Plus, the very use of a script that sends you to a google page not very elegant. What this basically communicates to some users is this: "You came here to look at my site, but if you want to search it I am going to send you to a google page without you being aware that it is sending you there (i.e., without your permission)" See the problem? I suggest putting a warning line under the search box (e.g. "Google search"), which then will make it okay, as you're not 'ambushing' your visitors.
Thank you for addressing my query, but I think I will be sticking with something that works for me at the moment. I won't abandon WD as it has some very excellent features (I particularly enjoy the clipart that comes with the package), but I'm not upgrading it until it offers more, the search function being a typical example.
Thanks again.
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Re: How do I add a search function
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Gowa
Thank you very much! As an ixquick user I should have known about this. Great source!
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Re: How do I add a search function
oops posted on wrong thread.
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Re: How do I add a search function
This is the OP here. I have been following the thread with interest and have to agree that it should definitely NOT be necessary to employ external software or websites to make it possible for someone to search the content of my website. It is just basically a (simple?) database query... search through the text of this website, and this website only, to find instances of the "search term" and then present a list of links for my visitors to follow. That's it, nothing more grand, though I'd expect the query to filter out common "glue" words such as "if, and, the", etc. I don't want (and can't afford) to pay others to provide this facility, and I don't want my potential customers spirited away from me or spied upon. IMHO, it is a simple facility that could easily be included in WD10, and should be. Thankyou Hunterdan II for your participation in this.
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Re: How do I add a search function
Problem with that is a database needs php or perl access. Not all hosts provide this (or if they do they require higher hosting fees). Xara could perhaps supply content for the php or perl scripts but the user would have to set it up themselves first. Not a straight forward task for a drag & drop wysiwyg site builder.
Whether it could be done using a .txt or .xml file I'm unsure of.
This is just my understanding of the situation, but I'm no expert re this at all.
If a client want's a serious search function I would create the site in a CMS website add it via a component / plug-in.