Talk:Search Service:User Interface Design

I think the location bar could be used for solving a couple of issues.

The search engine pull down menu could be moved to the left of the location bar. Its selection determines how text in the location bar is interpreted. After any commit, the selection falls back to the default behaviour.

The search engine is either determined by the pull down menu, or by the usage of the indicated smart keyword with the default selection.

Default appearance of the location bar:

    +------+ +-------------------------+ +------+
    | @v   | | http://example.com      | | > Go |
    +------+ +-------------------------+ +------+

A search engine can be selected using the pulldown menu.

    +------+ +-------------------------+ +------+
    | @   v| | http://example.com      | | > Go |
    +------+ +-------------------------+ +------+
     +-----------------------+
     | @ url                 |
     | @ Google (/g/)        |
     | @ Google Images (/gi/)|
     | @ Froogle (/froo/)    |
     | @ Amazon.com (/am/)   |
     | @ IMDB (/imdb/)       |
     | @ Bugzilla (/bug/)    |
     | --------------------- |
     |   Edit this list...   |
     +-----------------------+

After selection the user can use the location bar for his search term.

    +------+ +-------------------------+ +------+
    | @ g v| | search term             | | > Go |
    +------+ +-------------------------+ +------+

After commit the location bar falls back to default. (The search engine's page provides any neccessary information and can be used for additional searches.)

    +------+ +-------------------------+ +------+
    | @   v| | http://google.com/search| | > Go |
    +------+ +-------------------------+ +------+

Alternativly the user can use smart keywords.

    +------+ +-------------------------+ +------+
    | @   v| | g search term           | | > Go |
    +------+ +-------------------------+ +------+

In either case the search string is stored for autocompletion regardless of the method used.

    +------+ +-------------------------+ +------+
    | @   v| | g se|                   | | > Go |
    +------+ +-------------------------+ +------+
              +------------------------+
              | g search term          |
              | g search term 2        |
              +------------------------+

    +------+ +-------------------------+ +------+
    | @ g v| | se|                     | | > Go |
    +------+ +-------------------------+ +------+
              +------------------------+
              | search term            |
              | search term 2          |
              +------------------------+

Pros

• We need only space for one instead of two text fields. Doubling the space available for the location and search terms.
• Smart keywords and pull down menu are unified.
• Go button of location bar can be used.

Markus Schmaus 18:42, 23 Feb 2006 (PST)