Search engine questions

[ihaveaq]

I need to use two search engines simultaneously: google.co.uk and yandex.ru. I came up with a few solutions, but none of them seem to be possible:

- Set search engine to Google, install Yandex toolbar (Yandex toolbar has been discontinued)
- Create a second toolbar and add another search bar into it (not possible to duplicate the search bar)
- Change the engine every time I search (not possible, Yandex search uses yandex.com not yandex.ru + very time cumbersome)

Can anyone point me in the direction of a solution please?

[Potkeny]

You can add yandex.ru as a searchengine (go to yandex.ru, click on the search bar as if you want to change it, there is an "add yandex.ru" option), combined with keywords (same place -> manage search engines -> edit keyword) you could be able to switch between that and google fast enough.

Another workaround could be using duckduckgo with !я "bang", which redirects your search to Yandex.​ru (!yandex works too, if faster to type, !yandexen is the non-ru version) and !guk for google.co.uk (or simply !g for google, if that's enough), but that includes an extra duckduckgo step which is not really necessary.

For me, typing a few extra characters to switch between search engines is preferable to separate bars, so I never looked for that (and I'm lazy enough to use ddg with bangs when I need something else), others might be able to help with that.

[vannilla]

If you use the search plugin, you can use the search bar's dropdown menu to switch engine.
It's a bit tedious, but it uses the browser's UI instead of quirks of a specific engine.

[ihaveaq]

Thanks for the replies - I used this: https://mycroftproject.com/search-engin ... ame=yandex to add yandex.ru as an engine in case anyone else is looking for one.

[back2themoon]

Keyword Search 1.1.8.3

(search in the address bar without changing your search engine)

[Moonchild]

Keyword Search 1.1.8.3

(search in the address bar without changing your search engine)

We have keyword functionality in the core. You don't need an extension - just learn how to use them.

[back2themoon]

Title is misleading. It's about selecting a different search engine on the address bar and search bar. So, you can use two different search engines directly, without typing any keywords or switching the search bar.

[Moonchild]

No. Just no.
The address bar is not "a second search bar". It is an address bar. It has a different function than a search bar. The fact that searching from it is enabled by default is already a compromise, because if it were entirely up to me, that would be disabled and have unambiguous fields for entering addresses and entering web search queries. Wanting to further blur the lines between the two is a no-go, and then wanting two of them to boot? ...

if you want a second search bar, then I suggest you write an extension that implements it (you can probably draw on one of the many "toolbar" extensions that have specialized search integrated in them for ideas).

[back2themoon]

As you mention and know very well of course, the address bar can already work as a search bar by default. This extension just offers the convenience of "unlinking" it from the search bar.

I "don't want a second search bar", because it's already there. Yes, I know its main function is not that etc. etc. but it's there so I see no harm in making better use of it.

You mentioned "compromise" so I'm guessing there's some sort of security risk or other problem with entering plain text search queries in the address bar? If so, then please make your point more clear since it would be good to know, and irrelevant with adding this extension anyway.

[moonbat]

You mentioned "compromise" so I'm guessing there's some sort of security risk or other problem with entering plain text search queries in the address bar? If so, then please make your point more clear since it would be good to know, and irrelevant with adding this extension anyway.

I think the point is that it serves the purpose of entering a web address and not as a general search tool, which is why there is a separate search bar with its own history of search queries that you can't intermingle with addressbar history for obvious reasons.

[THX-1139]

There is a more simpler and obvious solution for using (multiple) different search engines at the same time, rather than using an extension or asking the Browser
devs to add more bloat: Simply Bookmark each search engines home page (all of them if you want) and then just open them each in their own tab, you can easily
switch between tabs to do your chosen search with whatever engine you want...or is this just too much work or too old fashioned?

[moonbat]

is this just too much work or too old fashioned?

Probably both
In which case, there's bangs on DDG.

[back2themoon]

Ok, if the point here is only one of tidiness and clearly separated functions ("use the Address Bar for URLs and the Search Bar for searches) then I'm sorry but it's a philosophical one. I'm all for tidiness but come on. The Address Bar already allows searches so saying "don't use it because it's titled Address Bar" makes little sense.

The history search point is interesting, but I doubt when users search for something, their main goal is to have that search remembered. If it is then no, don't use the Address Bar*.

The OP asked about using google.co.uk and yandex.ru simultaneously, so I can't think of a better/quicker method than using the Address Bar for google.co.uk and the Search Bar for yandex.ru. Or vice-versa.

*I assume here that Address Bar searches are not remembered, but I don't really know if that's the case.

[moonbat]

*I assume here that Address Bar searches are not remembered, but I don't really know if that's the case.

If the search engine uses GET instead of POST, then the URL with your search keywords will be in your history and would show up when typing a part of it.

[Moonchild]

I'm sorry but it's a philosophical one

No, it's an interface design one. It has nothing to do with philosophy or opinions. Ambiguity in input elements is, factually, a bad thing. Ask any GUI school.
So I'm sorry but there's no argument to be made here. You can create an extension to make the browser act the way you want it as a solution, and that's it.

there's bangs on DDG.

And if you don't want to use DDG, we have built-in keywords. Like I already said.
You can use one bar for everything if you want. Just prefix your search words with the keyword (or keyletter, for that matter) and the browser will use whatever searchplugin you have associated with it.

[moonbat]

And if you don't want to use DDG, we have built-in keywords. Like I already said.

Oh I've always used them. I was replying to the comment about whether people find setting up keyword searches as 'too much work'. But well, those who have been trained from the start on Chrome where none of this exists would think bangs was a really amazing and new feature.

[Moonchild]

But well, those who have been trained from the start on Chrome where none of this exists would think bangs was a really amazing and new feature.