As an avid Firefox user I rely on its inbuilt search box to help me navigate the web.  One of its best features is its ability to add support additional websites you are interested in.  The Mycroft project contains an extensive list of compatible plugins covering thousands of websites.  But if the site you want isn’t listed there don’t despair – its easy to create your own!

I’ve been using Fishpond to buy books and DVDs because they are consistently among the cheapest online stores in Australia.  To make it easier to shop there I decided to create a search plugin for Firefox. 

The whole process was pretty painless:

1. Go to the Mycroft search plugin submission page and start entering basic description, classification and author information for the plugin.
2. Choose an icon for the search plugin.  Typically the best choice is the favicon for the website you are searching.  You can download it by opening the favicon.ico file in the root directory for the website. e.g.
   http://www.fishpond.com.au/favicon.ico
3. Open a new tab, go to the website you are building the plugin for and execute a search using a simple term.  Once the search page appears copy the URL from the location bar.  In my case I searched on the term "TEST" and got the following URL: (Note: Single URL line wrapped)
   http://www.fishpond.com.au/advanced_search_result.php?
keywords=TEST&x=50&y=13
4. Replace the search term (e.g. TEST) with the value "{searchTerms}".  This should be pasted into the "Search URL" field on the submission form.  e.g. (Note: Single URL line wrapped)
   http://www.fishpond.com.au/advanced_search_result.php?
keywords={searchTerms}&x=50&y=13
5. The "Search Form" field needs to be filled in with the page containing the search results.  This will be the search URL minus everything to the right of the question. e.g. http://www.fishpond.com.au/advanced_search_result.php
6. Hit the "Generate Plugin" button, look at the generated XML, and if it looks OK hit the "Submit" button.
7. If all goes well you will be taken to a page showing your submitted plugins.  Install and test the new plugin, and if it searches as expected you are done!

The whole process takes less than 5 minutes and you will now be able to search this site from the convenience of your browser’s search box!

Note: Please see the Mozilla developer page if you need more detail on how to create OpenSearch plugins.  You might also consider adding your new search plugin to Opensearchlist or Searchplugins so more people can find it.

Apple’s iPod managed to make its way into many stockings during the festive season. The svelte music player is beautifully designed, but how do you keep its appearance pristine once you remove it from the box? Can it be done without overly compromising either its aesthetics or usability?

Socks are a great way to protect an iPod while in transit and still providing some access to the controls at the same time. They help prevent cosmetic damage from abrasion and scratches and also combat some shock and intrusion damage. This makes them ideal for keeping your MP3 player safe while in a pocket or a bag, and still allow you to easily remove the case to show the iPod off in all its glory when you get to your destination.

Right now the Apple ecosystem is hoping you will run off to buy the official iPod socks from an online retailer, or failing that you might find some cheap alternatives on eBay. Or you could do what I did and DIY.

If you are a parent you can start by heading to your child’s wardrobe, otherwise make your way to your nearest children’s clothing retailer.

The key to this whole exercise is finding the right sock. If you are old enough to be reading this post then your own socks will be too large and will look decidedly home made if used. I’ve had best results with socks for an infant (sized for <= 1 year old), but make sure they are both stretchy and warmer autumn or winter socks so they have some thickness to them. This ensures they provide some padding but can still expand to completely cover your iPod.

You don’t actually have to make any modifications. This project is DIY because you are using the socks for a purpose other than was originally intended by the designer. Slide the sock onto your iPod and you are done!

Not only is this solution affordable, but you have a huge range of styles to chose from, and will have a spare case if your main one starts to look a bit worn!