Changing Safari’s Default Search Engine
Posted 7 months ago at 12:33 am. 11 comments
I decided that I needed to change the default search provider in Safari from Google-US to Google-UK. I thought that this would be a five second trip to Safari preferences, how wrong was I.
For some strange unknown reason Apple has decided to hard code the search provider (Google US) into the Safari application itself. I found various guides on the internet on how to change the default search provider, but they all required use of the Terminal and the not very easy to use editor Vi. Not forgetting that if you make any mistake when editing, it will render Safari completely useless.
After almost giving up I did one last search on Google and came across an excellent Safari plug-in AcidSearch. This plug-in not only lets you change the default search provider in Safari, it also lets setup multiple search providers which you can search on via a handy drop-down menu.
Thanks for the handy tip - been wanting to get this sorted for ages and wondering when someone whould write this plugin for Safari.
I googled how to change the default search engine. Some weird and complex answers were returned. However, after reading the above article. I went and checked out the shared link about Acid Search. I have now installed it and everything seems to be going fine. I even customised it to search google.co.uk What is even better I have got the search box to search the “UK only websites” bit too. I am soooooo pleased. I hated the fact that my searches were directed to the .com Google and it did not easily allow me to search UK from there grr…. Anyway thanks guys you have made me very happy
Thanks. I thought I had it, but it did not work. On Safari Version 3.0.4 (523.12) on my PowerPC Mac ( Mac OS X 10.4.11 ) because it was not tested with this version; Safari displayed a message as so and displayed a message that this plugin was not loaded.
Here is the text.
SIMBL Error
Safari 3.0.4 (v523.12) has not been tested with the plugin (null) (null) (v0.62). As a precaution, it has not been loaded. Please contact the plugin developer for further information.
Therefore, I’ll check back later.
Odd. I just went back there and the Acid Search website is suspended.
This is what showed:
pozytron.com is currently UNAVAILABLE
They have probably used all their allocated bandwidth for the site. I don’t think there is a Safari 3 version yet but hopefully they will release one. It might take a while though as Safari 3 has only just came out of beta.
I use Sogudi and have done for a long time and think it rather spiffy
http://www.kitzkikz.com/Sogudi
Google.co.uk is just one of the things it takes in it’s stride.
Nice Site!
The problem noted by ‘A Safari User’ in november is still present. I get the SIMBL error with Safari 3.04 and the Acid Search v 0.62. V 0.62 is till the most current version on their web ste. I suppose we must wait until they get it fixed. Thanks anyway to Pozytron for this free plugin.