I have been using LaunchBar since version 3 (as of now, version 5 RC4) and one of the features I like is being able to run search from its simple interface.
After activating LaunchBar (with simple Control-Space key combination), I enter ‘goog’ (short for Google search) and press Enter key. Type your search terms and LaunchBar opens a search result in Safari (or your default web browser).
You can even add your own search template so that you can perform search on your favorite online forum.
For example, I added new search templates for Google Blog Search, MacPorts, Github and MSDN.
Search MacPorts
URL: http://trac.macports.org/search?q=*&noquickjump=1&portsummarysearch=on&ticket=on&changeset=on&milestone=on&wiki=on
Encoding: UTF-8
Search Github
URL = http://github.com/search?q=*&type=Everything&repo=&langOverride=&start_value=1
Encoding = UTF-8
Google Blog Search
URL = http://blogsearch.google.com/blogsearch?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=*&btnG=Search+Blogs
Encoding = UTF-8
Search Objective Development Forum
URL = http://forums.obdev.at/search.php?keywords=*
Encoding = UTF-8
Search MSDN
URL = http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/search/en-us/?query=*
Encoding = UTF-8
To add your own search template:
- Open your LaunchBar Index (select Index -> Show Index).
- Select Search Templates (UTF-8) from left column.
- Add a new search template by clicking ‘Add…’ button and enter name and URL.
- Update index and you’ll start performing search faster immediately.
For more complete information on Search Templates and instructions, use LaunchBar Help. Also, for more search templates, go have a look at Objective Development Forums – LaunchBar Search Templates.
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