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Show HN: Allsearch – Making it easier to use different search engines seamlessly

by WiggleGuy on 8/17/22, 6:47 AM with 32 comments

Allsearch is a tool I made after getting fed up with Google's search results and reading up on conversations on HN about the state of search on the internet.

This is a tool I made as a spiritual successor to GnodSearch (https://www.gnod.com/search/), which I've seen in a couple conversations about search on HN. GnodSearch is great, but a bit barebones in terms of looks and functionality; Allsearch is my attempt to build off of it.

Similar to Gnod, Allsearch allows you to apply any given search query to a search engine of your choice (either through only keystrokes, or via mouse). However, it also allows you to add your own engines to its catalogue, and allows you to define macros to use multiple engines simultaneously (useful for easily comparing engines).

It's not feature complete; there are still some things I'd like to add in. There are way more engines I want to add to it's default catalogue, and I also want to add in the ability to export your settings to allow people to easily share their Allsesarch configurations.

Curious about people's thoughts on it :)

  • by weba11y on 8/18/22, 5:07 PM

    It should probably do something when you type & hit the 'enter' key (even if its just a dialog asking what search engine you'd like to use).

    Or maybe I am missing something, as you said you it can used with just a keyboard. I'm on Chrome...

  • by guywithahat on 8/18/22, 3:33 PM

    Searx is another good option in regards to meta search engines, and you can self host it which is pretty neat https://github.com/searx/searx

  • by WiggleGuy on 8/29/22, 1:38 AM

    I added a new feature: Allsearch Rules. Similar to !bangs, it allows the user to define rules that will automatically launch certain macros or engines based on strings in your search. Rules also allow you to replace certain strings with other strings (so, for example, @r can be replaced with site:foo.com).

    Also added in the ability to import and export your Allsearch config.

  • by lionkor on 8/18/22, 5:39 AM

    Cool idea!

    FYI in DuckDuckGo, you can use

    !g for google

    !b for bing

    !y for yahoo

    !w for wikipedia

    !r for reddit

    and a few thousand more, covering pretty much any larger search engine, wiki, or reference:

    https://duckduckgo.com/bang

  • by closedloop129 on 8/18/22, 8:38 AM

    Have a look at https://searchaggregate.com/

    I wouldn't hide the list of search engines behind options.

    The macros are a good idea. Looking forward to when you allow people to share them. I would add one macro by default to allow an instant test.

  • by msravi on 8/18/22, 5:15 PM

    Ok, how does one use this? I type something and press <enter> and nothing happens. The "help" page is particularly unhelpful - it says "Activate search engines by clicking on them or using their shortcuts (indicated by underlined text or [])."

    Ok, clicking is fine, but how does one use the "shortcuts?"

    Edit: Oh, I see now. You've to type the search term, press <enter> (which sort-of puts it into a command mode) and then type the "shortcut" key. Problem was that my tridactyl extension was interfering with the shortcut command.

  • by dothis on 8/18/22, 3:10 PM

    Is it really a downside that Gnod Search is barebones?

    I thought that is a conscious design decision.

    Personally, I prefer to quickly go through a simple page with an input box and search buttons than to go through a page with a background image and logos.

  • by rco8786 on 8/18/22, 2:20 PM

    The return of Dogpile!

  • by ColinHayhurst on 8/18/22, 7:27 AM

    As advocates of search diversity we applaud you. We implemented similar as Search Choice buttons. And as options below the search box, like allsear.ch, if you turn on Search Choice bar: https://blog.mojeek.com/2022/02/search-choices-enable-freedo...

  • by 3np on 8/18/22, 6:23 AM

    > Curious about people's thoughts on it :)

    Where's the source code?

    Couldn't get it to work: A 429 from `https://api.pexels.com/v1/search?orientation=landscape&query...` (why is that required?) seems to make he rest of the page noop.

  • by KIDSSEEGHOSTS on 8/18/22, 10:32 AM

  • by KIDSSEEGHOSTS on 8/18/22, 6:08 AM

    Hi, I really like this site, how can I contact you, I have some questions like how to export the custom rules, thanks a lot.

  • by hamdouni on 8/18/22, 4:35 PM

  • by vladsanchez on 8/18/22, 10:38 PM

    Reminded me of Altavista.com :'(

  • by diimdeep on 8/18/22, 7:20 PM

    Completely useless.