Windows 7 introduces support for search federation to remote data stores using OpenSearch technologies that enable users to access and interact with their remote data from within Windows Explorer. Federated search enables users to search remote data sources from within Windows Explorer. For example, you can create a Search Connector to find information from a particular Website, through Windows Explorer.
Using the information from Redmond Pie, I created a Search Connector for our Website "Winhelponline.com". You can download the Search Connector Description file winhelponline.osdx. This uses Windows Live Search to fetch the search results for our site.
1. Download winhelponline.osdx and save to Desktop.
2. Double-click the file to add our Search Connector.
3. Click OK when you see this message box.
The Winhelponline Search Connector is now added to the Favorites list in Windows Explorer.
4. Click Winhelponline, type in the search query and press ENTER.
The list of articles which contains the search keywords are shown in Search Results.
Likewise you can create custom Search Connectors for any Website. Also, you may download the Search Connectors Pack for Federated Search in Windows 7 from Redmond Pie Website.
For more details on Federated Search Providers, see the document Windows 7 Federated Search Provider Implementer’s Guide from Microsoft.
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Thanks, only had the save doc ‘XLM’ extension choice, but changed the name of the file itself extension to .osdx, then placed search engine into my IE8 ‘Favorites. Thanks again..
@captfbgnet: The Winhelponline search connector works fine here. It’s possible that the .osdx file downloaded in your system as a .txt file somehow. Can you try right-clicking on the winhelponline.osdx link choose “Save Target as”, and save with .osdx extension?
Ramesh Srinivasan, can you fix the ‘winhelponline search connector’?
Your winhelponline search connector doesn’t work. My windows 7 (32-bit) error message says it isn’t compatable. It opens as a text file. The MS connector previous to yours on your website, works fine, Would like to use your search connector. Can you help?
What’s interesting is that this sort of functionality has the capability to lessen the importance of the traditional search engine. I would predict that some federated search providers such as mednar.com will become branded channels, aggregating multiple sources users are interested.