Eurekster Swicki Blog

Last week we quietly launched another swicki customization feature - custom header/footer HTML and CSS. This new feature allows you to control the look and feel of the results page of your swicki. Swickis are search engines for your community, and we want you to be able to make them look and feel like your site or blog.

If you look at your swicki list in "My Swickis" you will see a new option labeled "Customize templates" at the top of the right column of options, above "Edit buzz cloud".

On the "customize templates" page, you will see 4 text boxes with the following labels:

• CSS styles will override the default swicki CSS
• Header HTML will be inserted in the shaded header at the top of the page
• Side HTML will be inserted below the swicki buzzcloud on the right of page)
• Footer HTML will be inserted at the bottom of the page, just before the eurekster footer links

To use this feature, you will need a solid grasp of HTML and CSS. For those of you not familiar with HTML and CSS, don't worry - we are working on an easy-to-use, intuitive interface that will allow you to easily control the same elements. We're always interested in what you would find most useful, customization or otherwise, so post a comment or send an email to swickifeedback{at}eurekster.com.

For those interested in learning a bit about CSS and HTML and how we use them in your swicki, i've posted some quick pointers to help you get started in the full blog post...

Continue reading "Customize your swicki results: CSS Styles and Header/Footer HTML" »

I started to write about how the new Advanced Train works and it occurred that I really need to describe the Standard Train first.

In Standard mode we ask you for some phrases and urls that describe the topic your swicki is about. Using this information we use sources that give the best base results for swickis accross the full spectrum of swickis and then we apply the community learning passively to the results. The training information that you enter determines whether one of these sources is included.

In Advanced mode we have exposed control over the sources queried in a granular way so that you can decide to which sources to use for your swicki even to the extent of using your own search feed. You can decide on the order these query results appear and the relative number of results from each source. All the good stuff; the community learning and promoted results still apply.

Continue reading "Swicki Advanced Train" »

Bloggers using WordPress can now add their swickis to their blog as a "WordPress Widget". For those of you new to swickis - a swicki is a highly customizable search engine that learns from your community's search behavior. Here's how to add one to your site:

1. Go to swicki.com. If you have not done so already, create a swicki and register.
2. Go to the "Get Code" page for your swicki. Under "Additional help on how to add to your site or blog," open the entry for "WordPress.org".
3. Copy the settings listed there. You will need them later to configure your widget.
   • GroupKey
   • SecKey
   • Shortname
   • Title
4. Make sure to upgrade your WordPress blog to allow widgets. Details are listed here.
5. Get the PHP code for the Swicki WordPress Widget here.
6. Unzip the zip file
7. Place "swicki.php" in your 'wp-content/plugins/widgets' folder on your WordPress installation.
8. In your WordPress management interface, go to "Plugin Management" an enable the widget.
9. In "Presentation -> Sidebar Widgets" you should see a "Swicki" widget you can now use on your WordPress.org blog!
10. Fill in the details of your Swicki with the settings you copied earlier for
    • GroupKey
    • SecKey
    • Shortname
    • Title
11. Save the changes.
12. Your swicki is ready!