Using Windows 7 Search Connectors

Posted By: Larry Larsen | Jan 24th, 2009 @ 1:38 PM | 17,288 Views | 7 Comments
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One of the features exclusive to the Windows 7 is the use of Search Connectors. These OSDX files are just a snippet of RSS that allows Federated Searches through the Windows Shell, so you can use Explorer to search (just like you would on your local drive) across other sites and databases. A typical OSDX file looks like this: 

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<OpenSearchDescription xmlns="http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearch/1.1/">
 <ShortName>Amazon</ShortName>
 <Description>Amazon</Description>
 <Url type="application/rss+xml" template="[RSS Search Feed URL]" />
</OpenSearchDescription>

That's it. Just double click the file and you're ready to search. This tip comes courtesy of Chris Pirillo, who has done the great job of putting together a zip file of some of his favorite search connectors including Amazon's full catalog, eBay, PriceGrabber, Coupons and Discounts, Online Shopping, his YouTube Videos, his blog, The Geeks Social Network, and Lockergnome. Thanks, Chris!
Tags: search, Windows 7
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