beta testers anyone?

[Crypt]

Hiyas,

I have got the searching part done of my internet search utility I am working on, it works on my windows 98, I was just wondering if a few other people could try it out and tell me if it works on not before I get to work on adding configurable options.

and please post your thoughts on it, and say if you think anything should be added, etc.
thanx the url for it is:
http://members.xoom.com/_XMCM/else57...%20Utility.zip

[Andrew Empson]

Very nice.
I got a timeout error during a search and the prog crashed, and some of the titles came up blank, but good job.
Could you make the window resizable?

[Crypt]

thanx andrew, I forgot to put error handling in the subs that involved the inet control, I can fix that, but as for some of the titles coming up blank, do you have any idea what search engine it was searching at the time?, because I wrote a different function to extract links from each search engine becase one code wouldn't work for all of them, because of the different layouts, so unless I know what search engine it was I can't really work that bug out.
thanx again.

[Andrew Empson]

Hey Crypt.

The names came up blank from AltaVista - 4 of them. The timeout error I got last night was from Snap, but it's fine this morning.
The blanks came up when I typed 'invoking help programatically'
Another suggestion, check for a chr$(13) in the text box which calls the cmdBeginSearch_Click event so I can press enter after I type in the search string.

It's cool.

[Andrew Empson]

Another suggestion would be to have the list of URLs you search and their 'variables' in a data file and have a menu option to download a new version of the data file, which would be useful if any of the search engines changed and wouldn't work in your software anymore. That way you could also add new search engines from time to time as you came across them. Or you could have the program check a certain URL when it runs to see if there's a new data file available, and automatically download it or ask the user if they want to...
Something to chew on, anyway.

[Crypt]

Hi,

thanx for the ideas andrew, I have gotten rid of the time out error by putting in error handling, also to anyone who trys it do not use the clear results option in the file menu, the one in the options menu is fine, there wasn't supposed to be one in the file menu, and the one in the file menu only clears the listview not the other hidden controls which contain data. I have also now made it so you can maxamise it, and am working on making it so you can pick which search engine to search, but that part is being debugged still that is why I haven't uploaded a newer version.

I'll try to incorporate the hitten enter in the text box, to being the search, I think the reason altavista may have a few blanks was because when I first made it, some vbCrlf symbols where in the listview for some reason, so I had to mid$ them out, and seeing I wasn't sure what character code they were, I had to just mid$ the line from a certain point.

thanx again for the ideas andrew, and with it searching certain sites from a data file, well yeah thats a possibility but people would have to submit their sites at first, unless I went around collecting 1000's of sites lol.
but thats an idea to think about I am just not sure about how to implement it.

thanx again.

[Crypt]

also the data file may end up larger than the executable (which is about 200 and something kb (uncompressed) but is only 50kb or so when I have compressed it with petite, neolite, Aspack or whatever), and if the data file gets larger than 50kb I doubt I will be able to download it with the inet control, I could with winsock, but then I'd have to worry about proxy support and all that which is too much of a hassle. I might do it though but just for programming sites or something like that, so the data file keeps relatively small.

so is chr(13) the character code for vbCrLf? because if so I can just do a search for it in my string and remove them instead, so that should take care of the blank titles.

I will upload a newer version of the program when I have debugged the only searching the search engines specified part of it. (its playing up at the moment).

[Andrew Empson]

Hey Crypt

Chr$(13) is the Enter character (CR)
Chr$(10) is the LineFeed character (LF)

vbCRLF is actually 2 characters, Chr$(13) & Chr$(10), so I'm not sure how to mid$ for it. You may have to experiment.

By data file, I meant something like a text file with entries like this:

• Site="Yahoo"
• Delimiter="+"
• URL="http://search.yahoo.com/bin/search?p=[SrchStr]"

loaded into an array or something, then replace spaces in their search with the Delimiter, and replace [SrchStr] in the url with the new Delimited string, so the Search string is, say
"Crash Bandicoot"
and becomes
"Crash+Bandicoot"
and the URL Becomes "http://search.yahoo.com/bin/search?p=Crash+Bandicoot"
Just an idea, but then your file wouldn't be so huge.

[Crypt]

Just uploaded the slightly updated version:
http://members.xoom.com/_XMCM/else57...lity%201.2.exe

yeah thats a good idea, I thought you meant have a list of things for me to search myself, but it would only nbe good for if the search engines changed the url, what my concern is if the search engine changes its html code quite Significantly, and screws up the whole program.

hmmm I still need to fix the blank title bug though some how, it just hasn't happened to me yet.

[Crypt]

I tried to mid$ out the chr$(13) & chr$(10) but it wouldn't, I tried doing them singally, and then together, but it just wasn't finding them in the string for some reason, the reason I think it is the vbcrlf code is because, in the listview it comes up as little squares, so i exported all the search results from altavista to a text file, then opened up the text file and saw the squares I then copied them and pasted them in my vb code window, and it just added extra lines to the code window as if I had just pressed enter a few times. but maybe it isn't enter maybe its a different character of some sort, because it couldn't find chr$(10) in the string or chr$(13).

[Andrew Empson]

Smaller, and better. Well done.

I'd still like to be able to resize the main window.
The exit menu doesn't work while you are cancelling a search, but the Close button does.

[catocom]

Works great on my computer!!
Needs a specific file name search.

[Crypt]

thanx for the comments

I must have forgot to put inet cancel code in the end in the file menu.

I didn't give the user complete resizing control on it because if you resized it was resized to small it would stuff up all the controls etc, but I suppose I could probably add resizing to larger than the default size.

also it does do a specific keyword search (for search engines that support specific keyword searches) with the search engines, it automatically adds the quotes into the search, it probably needs a non specific keyword search.

I still need to add a help file in there, does anyone know the urls to download Microsoft Help Workshop (its freeware), and Febsoft's Oasis SE (also freeware)?
because I usually use those two products to build my help files, but I can't seem to find the download site for them.

[Edited by Crypt on 06-30-2000 at 01:12 AM]

[Mih_Flyer]

nice one, but i got error # 5, google search i think, but its really cool

[Y2J]

Nice work, how about launching a new browser window on some sort of click event from the list box?

I think he's done that!
Try the right button.

Am liking this program
Like Andrew says you need to let people make the window bigger...but I agree that if you let them make it smaller it will look daft!

On the subject of small... because you've made the buttons so small they look silly when they have the focus! (You know the little selection thingy on them interferes with the text...)

An some pretty pictures might be nice! (I'll let you do that last if you want.

What's the little icon bye the way?

Your tabbing order seems a little eratic...and the "Clear Search Results" function needs to be a little easier to access...maybe from the right click menu on listbox...

Keep up the good work! And get your program at the top of all the search engine's listings and make loadsa money, etc!!!

[Edited by matthewralston on 06-30-2000 at 11:27 PM]

[Y2J]

matthewralston, I didn't catch the right click befor I posted. But I still think that a double click into a new window would be good, but that is just my opinion.

[Crypt]

thanx guys

matthewralston what resoloution is your computer on?, and which button were you reffering to as the small one all of them or just the search button? because I agree the begin search button is a little too small but the other buttons look ok on my 800 * 600 resoloution, I think maybe I need to take other resoloutions into account.

thanx for the ideas,

I want to add a picture but haven't seen one I would like to add to it, something that is animated when someone begins the search, and still when then are not searching.

the icon lol, I am not sure about that, I just saw it in a collection of icons, I have gotten since starting programming, and it just kinda jumped out at me for this program lol.

as for the tabbing order lol it probably is lol, I didn't actually set a tabbing order, so its just on what controls were put on it first, so I guess thats another thing that needs to be fixed .

I think I will add the clear results to the right click menu, thanx again for the ideas, as for double clicking, well the listview doesn't have a sub for an item double click, it does have a double click, so if I implemented that, and they say double clicked on a column header instead and it opened a new browser it may look like another bug (there are plenty all ready lol), but it is something to think about

thanx for all the comments

[Crypt]

Slightly Updated: http://members.xoom.com/_XMCM/else57...lity%201.3.exe

supports resizing larger than its default size (try to make it smaller and it snaps back to its default size)

also lol I noticed I hadn't actually put any code in the pop menus on the right click of the listbox now I feel really stupid lol, so thats fixed and I have also added a clear results item to the right click menu like suggested.

Hi. I just downloaded it now any things look good. I'll let you know if I see anything wrong.

I tend to use resolutions as high as I can get... 960*720 or 1024*768 (more workspace for VB and web pages...I only have a 14" monitor though so I usually tend to have the fonts enlarged... the "Windows Standard (Large)" setting in the Appearence bit of thw display properties.

Just looked at the new version...yeah...the clear results function is much more accessable now see that? i made a difference! yay! Just noticed too...the two buttons on the left look like a popup menu...i like that...for more effect you could have them light up with the highlight colours when the mouse hovers over them (like a real menu) Mmmm...an that help screen nice message...but does it really need help? The program is simpler to use than a normal search engine...

For the general settings...you could put stuff like the number of search results to return, how to sort them...erm...default action if you double clicked on an item in the search results (new browser window or current window...btw...how do you control which window the page appears in? I'm just using the shellexec api function at the mo an i canne figure out how to do it )

[Edited by matthewralston on 07-02-2000 at 06:34 AM]

Gawd! Just realised! I've become the king of smilies!!

And why does this blumin forum keep ignoring half the posts I make...I tried to edit my last entry 5 times...it says it worked but where are my changes? Now I come to check I notice that 3 of my replies to this thread have gone walkies too!

[Crypt]

lol yep you made a difference
the two buttons look like a pop up menu? what the Open Page in New Browser, and Open Page in Current Browser Buttons?
because I don't see it lol, but if it improves the look then I am glad lol

for the general section at the moment, I am trying to implement an option to grab more than just the first page of results, having the option to grab up to the first 9 pages (can't be bothered trying to implement more lol). and I am adding an update feature as well, which when my domain name has finished being transferred to virtualave I'll be able to finish.

Also about the help file, yeah I know i don't really need one but like the saying goes 'Make something idiot proof, and they'll make a better idiot' lol, it will just be a small help file, just saying what different features do.

as for controlling which browser it appears in, well I am using the shellexec api for opening in the current browser, but for the new window I am using a code by Bob Baddeley
you can get it at this topic: http://forums.vb-world.net/showthrea...threadid=20646

I would post the code here, but I have slightly alterned it and don't want to miss any of it out.

I am the ultimate idiot! >:)
I like to make a difference.

Ooh! Didn't you get a lot of duff replies to that new browser window post?! Don't you just hate that?! If people don't know then they should just not bother posting! (Exept for me of course! I'm just trying to improve my ranking... :) )

[Edited by matthewralston on 07-02-2000 at 07:04 AM]

Woo! Hoo!! I just became a hyperactive member!!! Yay!!

[Crypt]

lol I dont mind about duff posts, as long as people are writing something in there it is keeping the post at the top of the pile for some to eventually answer correct,

wohooooooooooooo lol congrats on your promotion , I am still only a lively member with only 101 posts.

Ah, well...what can I say? You must have a life!!! I remember waiting ages to get to 30 posts so I could progress from a junior member to a senior member (they didn't have any others then )...Then I suddenly jumped to 100 posts and I dunno how on earth (or in ether!) I got to whatever the heck I'm on now (260ish I think!). Then I look at people like kedaman (with 1756 posts yet registered a whole year after me) and wonder..."does he ever leave this forum?" or has he made a program that automatically posts for him?

He! he! he! I made a program like that once... was trying to win a copy of BitArts Fusion from VBCode.com ...you post a cool bit of code and if it gets downloaded the most often then you win... I made a lil proggy with the inet transfere control that continually requested the page... Set it running about 4 times on 10 different machines! My code got about 200 hits in 20 mins!!! Got me banned the site tho. Thank goodness for random IP addresses

[Edited by matthewralston on 07-02-2000 at 07:34 AM]

[Crypt]

lol I made a program a bit similar, but it was to generate fake hits on my webpages counter lol (didn't like the small number on my hit counter), but I used the Microsoft Ineternet Controls (the browser control), because the inet control wasn't adding hits to my counter, it was quite effective too lol.

You'll be an addicted member soon

I did one for one of my hit counters once too..didn't work tho...think they did something funny with it like make it check the HTTP_REFERER page or what ever cos it was counting up, but it didn't effect the counter on the page...stupid people!

Anyway...enough "beta testing"! It's nearly 1:00 and I'm going to bed

[Edited by matthewralston on 07-02-2000 at 07:55 AM]

[Crypt]

lol goodnight, its not 1:00 am down here in Aus, by the way, I saw what you wrote before you edited the post lol I am sure you meant it in the nicest possible way.

Yeah...I looked at the time next to your post and it was the same as mine so I guessed that you must live in Britain/Europe...and that anyone up on a computer at that time should should really get out more (like me!).

The I looked at u r profile an realised that u lived in Aus an that it was about 11 in the mornin an felt really stupid. Sorry bout that. (Yeah...it was meant nicely...kinda takin the piss outta myself at the same time )

[Crypt]

lol np, knew u were joking , I realised u were in the UK when you used the word Duff lol, such a cool british sounding word lol .

[Crypt]

also people If someone can please think of a name to call this programI'd apprecaiteit, cause Internet Search utility isn't really a name its more like a description lol

damn warez.com, there search engine is giving me proxy reports, and I am trying to implement multipage searching, and with warez.com playing up I can't finish that segment

[catocom]

I really like this program.
It works great on my computer.
Fast too!

How about simply "The Crypt Searcher"

[Edited by catocom on 07-03-2000 at 12:10 PM]

[Crypt]

thanx catocom , but I don't want my username on this forum in the prog's name, or my real name, I am lost for ideas though

Search Basher
Geekfind!! Sorry

Gaud I hate parsing text... how long must it have taken you to do that program anyway?! Hats off...

Erm...Searchit!
Fido! Yeah...you could have a cute lil dog at the logo ...Nah reminds me of Lycos on second thoughts...
Where-is-it!? Duke Nukem says that...perhaps you could rip the sound?

Bloodhound...nah lycos again
Sherlock? Nah...Apple already nicked that
Whatson!! Yeah! Like that
Nitpicker?

Yay! I search for "cobwebz" and my new site i'm doing is at number 5

How about "Net Walker"?

[Crypt]

yeah I hate parsing text, but I am ok at it so I thought I'd give it a shot, and have done ok on this project.

lol thanx for all the names you've given me some to think about thanx.

[Crypt]

I'm Really bored Bored Bored Bored Bored Bored .
Information Systems has to be the boringist (is that even a word) class.

Anyways Warez.com search engine is back up woohoooo so I can fix my Search Program to search more than just the first page of each search engine, when I finally get out of this Class. Yawn I'm falling a sleep hear, someone entertain me or something lol.

Anyways which one of matthewralston, suggestestions should I pick for the name???

[Crypt]

Here is version 1.5
http://members.xoom.com/_XMCM/else57...lity%201.5.exe

two yahoo bugs fixed, saving to C:\ drive saving options bug fixed.

Also It now can search up to 9 pages on each search engine (excecpt GoEureka and Infoseek it froze up the program, when trying to more than the first pages for some reason).