iSeek - 1.1.3

This indispensable utility has become as much a part of my daily computer usage as LaunchBar, Yasu, NetNewsWireLite, etc. Before when I was using Firefox, I didn't really feel a need for this utility because Firefox offers its own search plug-ins. However, I've now switched to Camino because its speed is noticeably faster on my machine, and so I was looking for a quick way to perform web searches. I tried using Ranchero Software's Huevos, however adding websites was not entirely easily for me. I also preferred the easy access of iSeek through the menu bar.

Even with a high-speed connection, iSeek makes surfing the web 10x faster and more efficient. Along with doing quick and easy searches at Google, Amazon, Mac-related websites, etc, you can also track UPS codes with it and search for recipes at AllRecipes.com. Ambrosia also maintains a (growing) list of websites that you can add, if you need them. Overall, a great product that's definitely worth the $$.

I've used iSeek, and I liked it quite a bit when it first came out. It takes up a fair amount of precious menubar real estate, though, and it ain't free.

AcidSearch is a better solution, I think. It's free, it resides in the Google search box of Safari, has quite a few preset options to search sites (eg, Amazon, Versiontracker) and use various search engines. The blurb about it on Versiontracker at

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/24092

claims you can search via multiple search engines simultaneously. You supposedly can also create your own access to search engines not already offered by AcidSearch, although I couldn't get AcidSearch to work with Bookfinder.com and some others.

Don't let the low version number fool you. AcidSearch is quite good. I also like Huevos--also free--which resides in your dock. I found it easier to use Huevos to create access to sites not offered (Bookfinder.com) than AcidSearch, but your mileage may vary.

A quick keyboard command and I type in my query. I'm instantly sent to a dictionary definition, a weather report, news, or just plain Google. iSeek is the tool that searches everything from your menu bar. The standard set of search links are great, but I'd recommend adding more (with just a click) from Ambrosia's website. I really do use iSeek many times a day. Life on the internet without iSeek is too terrible to imagine at this point.

This app works fine and does what it says it's supposed to do, and I've been a fan of Ambrosia's offerings in the past. But if you have to open your browser anyway (or have it opened for you) to see the answer to your query, why not just open the browser and...type in the query there (especially in Safari, where there's a permanent Google query window built in)? Doesn't seem to save much time or effort, however nice it may look. Now, if a short summary of an answer were to be shown without the need to use the browser at all, THAT might be useful.

 David R... iSeek can do that. Just uncheck the "Search field always visible" checkbox in iSeek's preferences.