Ok, so the google search at http://start.portableapps.com/ gives John a little money to support this site.
Would it not be possible to create a "widget" that lets us put the http://start.portableapps.com/ search onto other web pages?
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Yes, I believe it's possilble, but it would probably be in violation of Google's terms of service. I think someone made a firefox search bar plugin back when John first set it up, but it had to be taken down as it violated the TOS.
Yeah, I remember that, I was hoping this might be a loophole.
Just a question about the page: Why isn't it set as the default homepage on Firefox portable if it earns John money?
It's just a google search like the current default so no massive changes.
if you run the installer for FirefoxPortable it has the option to set it as the homepage when you complete the installer (yes it's a check box option)
your friendly neighbourhood moderator Zach Thibeau
I thought that was on the Platform installer (which is generally installed before Firefox if doing them separately) as I just did the new Firefox update and saw no such option
i cant remember seeing that option on the firefox installer for the 3.0.8 either. I mean the checkbox for "set start.portableapps.com as portable homepage" option.
Something about the mozilla license doesn't allow John to set the homepage by default I think.
Yeah, that's the thing.
I remember people mentioning that on the release of Firefox 3 Portable.
Could we have either the included Google search applet use PA.c's search? Or is there a way to make one and replace the old one? Or would that also be a loophole?
Barring that, here's an idea which almost certainly wouldn't violate anybody's TOS, it just boils down to how far PA.c wants to go to ask for money: Replace all the "Donate" links with "Support PA.c: click here to learn how" or something links, which would take you to a page, e.g. supportus.portableapps.com, which could be loaded with ways to support the site, from free stuff like "set start.portableapps.com as your homepage" to the PayPal donation links and everything in between. There used to be this site that would donate a penny or nickel to cancer research for every banner you clicked on; maybe we could get something like that. Something we could do when we're bored, like, hey, let's jump through a few hoops to support PA.c.
I was wondering how to do this as well, since it supports PA.c, as well as a way to include the site search. I found the Firefox extension "Add to search bar", which allowed me to include both searches in the search bar - now PA.c should get support for my normal Google searches, since I use the search bar often, and I'll be able to search the site faster as well.
Link to Mozilla add-on page: Add to Search Bar
EDIT: fixed link [20-JUN-2010]
Why not a greasemonkey script for this?
I ran a search on wikiHow (another site I haunt at work) from s.PA.c and clicked "What is this page?" which took me to a brief explanation and a means to report a violation. Here's a list of boxes one can check; ergo also things PA.c can't do:
1. The site preset or modified my search query
-a. Pre-filled search term in the search box
-b. Links took me directly to a Google search results page
-c. Results were unrelated to my query
2. The site promised to compensate me or a third party for searching or clicking on ads
3. The search results originated from a third-party software application or toolbar
-a. Website where program was downloaded [______________]
4. My browser was hijacked to open to a page with Google search
-a. If known, site where virus/malware was downloaded [______________]
5. The site violates AdSense Policies in other ways
The five top-level items present themselves as check boxes; the lettered items appear when the numbered item above them are checked as sort of a subset, and of course the [___] bits let you type something in.
*Technically* a script would fall under 3(a) would be a third-party software application or toolbar. That means my suggestion of altering the search box is out, too.
And #2 puts my better idea on shaky ground since the site would be promising compensation. I had AdSense on my blog for a year and it didn't pay squat. They're real secretive over the terms of their compensation. They don't tell you how much you get paid per click or view, and then they turn around and tell you that you don't get paid until you earn so much, but they don't tell you what that amount is. Not that my site got a whole lot of traffic, but still, the lack of information is pretty shady.
3(a) also means start.portableapps.com can't be included in Firefox Portable, nevermind what Mozilla has to say. Firefox Portable's the third party application, so it's a no go.