How would you like the ability to search all of Google from a single static page? Does the idea of using Google to do a keyword search while it’s associated with a popular term and/or site appeal to you…
If so, Xtra-Google has just what you’ve been looking for. The service is a Google-based engine offering users the ability to search across all of Google’s different search options (Print, Local, Maps, Scholar, and Video, to name a few) from a single page.
Using Xtra-Google is quite intuitive in the sense that searches are conducted by clicking the appropriate icon you’d like your query to be performed in. The Xtra-Google setup is similar to the Mac OS X/Google dock, which was leaked from Google Labs earlier this year.
With Xtra-Google, you can conduct the following Google searches from a single page:
Images
Groups
News
Froogle
Local
Answers
Maps
Directory
Government
Scholar
Weather
MP3
Clips
Video
Movies
Catalogs
Print
Quotes
Windows
Apple
Linux
BSD
It appears as if some of these options are available courtesy of Google’s API. However, that certainly doesn’t make Xtra-Google any less effective or attractive.
Unfortunately, Google does have a history of issuing cease and desist letters to people who they feel are over-stepping the intentions of Google’s services. Hopefully, Xtra won’t fall victim to an over-protective Google.
Currently, there is no about information available on Xtra-Google, so it’s kind of hard to give the appropriate credit where it is due. However, if the developers happen to read this, please keep up the good work.
Chris Richardson is a search engine writer and editor for Murdok. Visit Murdok for the latest search news.
