Tech4computer's Blog

Search selected word with encrypted Google

tech4computer — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 07:58:13 +0000

A simple Google Chrome extension that lets you search highlighted word with encrypted (secure) Google instead of the classic open google. This way its hard for the man in the middle to see your search. Adds a right-click context menu item.

Install from google : Google Chrome Extension : Search highlighted word with secure Google

right click context menu item encrypted google search

= Alternative Method =
With this method you might loose the search suggestions.
how-to-add-google-encrypted-search-engine-to-firefox-opera-chrome-and-internet-explorer/

discussion Forum Preview extension shows photo gallery and last post

tech4computer — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:32:53 +0000

Forum Preview extension shows Last Post and Image Preview on Joomla Kunena, vBulletin, Invision board, Social Strata, Fudforum, Google Groups and phpBB based discussion forums. Top Comment preview on Reddit.

In Photo Gallery mode the Forum Preview will construct an Image Gallery on top of forum listing page.

Be the first to make a post on your favorite discussion forum and inform other members and friends about this Forum Preview Extension.

Requirement : Recent or sufficiently fast computer with fast internet connection.

Install or Download

Google Chrome : Google Web Store https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/noieegogpoppkplmcnamnbhpeafokijg (new features and issue-fixes first come here in Chrome and then in Firefox after month or so)
Firefox : https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/161742/ ( all versions )
Safari : in the works, coming soon.

NOTE: If people like this then I will add support for other forum software too.

Features:

Inline Last Post.
Photo gallery from threads. Custom settings for Gallery
Filter thread titles to ignore certain threads. (beta)
Image gallery from previous pages of selected thread. Turn this feature on when viewing thread about travel / tour trip or an event etc (beta)
Auto show new Posts and new Replies. (alpha)
Force show new Posts and new Replies.
Hide (fold) all posts. (beta)
Avatar effects. (alpha – Google Chrome only)
New Post Counter. (beta)
Ignore previewing ‘Sticky:’ threads.

Note: Some of the above features are for vBulletin 3.x boards only. Added “Todays Posts” link on vBulletin 4 when signed in. vBulletin 4 (alpha). New features are first tested in Chrome and once they are stable they will come in Firefox also.

Avatar Effects: Works for vBulletin boards, when using Google Chrome (Firefox not supported at the moment) and have this Extension installed on it. See screenshot and See avatars p.l.a.y here. Leave a comment below if you need to create similar Avatar. Probably you will have to email me your Avatar image and link of the YouTube video. Follow these steps (on Windows computer) to modify your Avatar to add YouTube video.
1. Put YouTube video id/code in a .txt file. Goto C:\ directory and create youtube.txt file. Like this:
[youtube]zuCjHXLHGUk[/youtube]
Here ‘zuCjHXLHGUk’ is video code that you can extract from YouTube video address.
2. Open windows ‘CMD’ console. Start->Programs->Accessories->Command Prompt. In Console type
cd \
and press Enter. Now suppose your Avatar image name is originalAvatar.png and its in C:\ directory. In Console type:
copy /B originalAvatar.png + youtube.txt newAvatar.png
That’s it upload originalAvatar.png to your vBulletin Forum and see if it worked. If the steps didn’t worked for you then just leave me comment and maybe I can do it for you.

Try it on discussion forums like :-

Groups.Google.com

advRider.com
notebookReview.com
skyScraperCity.com
animeSuki.com
Manga Helpers
One Manga
Manga Stream
Naruto viz
digitalSpy.co.uk
boards.ie
pinoyExchange.com
AVS-forum.com
CruiseCritic.com/
flashKit.com
rottenTomatoes.com
disBoards.com
conceptArt.org (slow)
photography-on-the.net
animeNation.net
9lives.be
anandTech.com
Mozilla support
UBISOFT game forum
bicycling.com
RealGM games
phpBB.com
Bokt.nl
ubuntuForums.org
EA uk/
spanish cars forocoches.com
physicsForums.com/index.php
thePhotoForum.com/forum
narutoFan.com
redFlagDeals.com
bigSoccer.com
…
…many more

Forum Preview extension shows last post, photo gallery on listing page.

Shows last post under titles with Forum Preview extension.

Updates:
[date 2010-04-21] Version 0.105
* Added to Google Extension gallery.

Craigslist Peek extension – image preview

tech4computer — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:03:06 +0000

Craigslist Peek is a Google Chrome and Firefox Extension for Craigslist, kijiji (US), eBay Classifieds, 58 同城 and Facebook Marketplace listings page. Craigslist Peek shows Post and Image Preview.

Download:

Google Chrome Extension / Web Store https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/knpehhedikdgkbmhgagpcpcbclaidlmf (new features and issue-fixes first come here in Chrome and then in Firefox after month or so)
Firefox Addon : https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/162070/
Safari Extension version coming soon. Both Firefox and Google Chrome versions works in Mac, use them for the time being.

I created this from my other Craigslist extension for cars section. And hence Suggestions feature in the cars and motorcycle section.

Features:

Short description under listing
Images under listing
multiple cities listing. Widens your search area to include neighboring cities.
Photo gallery
Suggestions in cars & motorcycle section
Minimum model Year filter cars & motorcycle section
Auto refresh. Shows new posts on top. New post counter.
Expands messages in craigslist Discussion forums (beta)
Filter craigslist search results (beta)
Fold / expand listing (chrome only)
User can customize looks of it to their taste

I removed some features to keep it simple and practical. Later on I might add some features for particular categories of Craigslist.

Seems new changes in Facebook Marketplace are identical to how I was changing Facebook Marketplace with this extension, so now disabled other stuff and only doing image preview in this.

It looks like some sites (Google News : http://news.google.com and others) have now adopted similar concept to what I been doing in Craigslist Peek and Forum Preview. In these when a person clicks on a Post, it opens in a new-browser-tab. This saves you from clicking Back and re-loading the listing after viewing Post.

Usage Tips:

Enable / disable multiple cities or auto-refresh in Settings according to your need.

Requirement:
Fast computer with fast internet connection.

Screenshots:

showing preview in gallery and list mode

showing list mode with ad excerpts, thumbnails and suggestions

craigslist peek extension - multiple cities listing selection

Updates:
[date 2010-04-09] Version 0.329
* New posts counter on top.
* Improved adding multiple cities for listing
* Support for eBay’s Kijiji to eBayClassifieds change.

[date 2010-04-04] Version 0.305
* Restructured code a bit.
* Now it allows to show multiple cities listing.
* Added auto refresh of listing every few minutes.
* few new options in Settings screen.

[date 2010-03-01] Version 0.165
* Restructured code a bit.
* Fixed one odd case where it wasn’t working.

[date 2010-02-14] Version 0.150
* Added Suggestions (for Cars/motorcycle section only) feature to Gallery mode also. It adds red border around images of ad that the buyer might want to be extra careful about.
* Fixed couple of bugs regarding default settings and image spacing in gallery mode.
* Just checked some similar ff extensions and found that there Settings screen is almost similar to mine.

[date 2010-02-09] Version 0.140
* Fixed couple of bugs regarding click in gallery mode.

[date 2010-02-06] Version 0.135
* Now image preview works on Kijiji listings also.

[date 2010-01-04] Version 0.105

CNET : Make car shopping on Craigslist less cumbersome

tech4computer — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:03:39 +0000

CNET news of http://www.download.com reviewed and published about my browser extension for Craigslist.

Make car shopping on Craigslist less cumbersome

CNET : Make car shopping on Craigslist less cumbersome screenshot

Lifehacker: Craigslist Car Research extension makes used-car shopping easier

Flash debugger

tech4computer — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:56:38 +0000

Flash Debugger was created for my own Flash projects. At that time nothing like this was available. Its a simple cross platform tool and does its purpose well.

Few years back this utility was available for download from my own server for free but then my server went down and I forgot all about it. Now its available at Google Code.
flash-debugger

Its written in Java. Now there are tons of flash debug programs available, thought it might be useful for someone looking for simple hassle free tool.

Browser extension : Craigslist easy phone and email search

tech4computer — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:16:30 +0000

Created Google Chrome extension and a Greasemonkey userscript that makes it easy to do search on phone number or email listed in craigslist posting. Its useful for finding out if the listing poster has posted anything else on internet. Easy reverse phone lookup.

craigslist-phone-search

Craigslist Phone Search as Google Chrome extension or from Google Web Store
craigslist-phone-search as Greasemonkey userscript for Firefox browser.
Craigslist Phone Search as Safari extension

If email is listed then it also creates easy search to find out about the website/company of the poster. Also quick way to do reverse phone lookup on US phone numbers.

craigslist phone email search links

real estate secition of craigslist

Cost of buying US car on Craigslist and import it to Canada

tech4computer — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:22:22 +0000

Created a Greasemonkey Userscript ( Craigslist Car and motorcycle import cost to Canada ) for any Canadian shopping for car on US Craigslist site.
This is for any Canadian who is looking to buy car or motorcycle from US Craigslist site and import it. It gives approximate overall cost of vehicle in Canadian amount.

If you find this helpful at all then please write a Review.

Import car from US to Canada

browser extension : Motorcycle reviews and shopping on Craigslist

tech4computer — Sat, 30 May 2009 22:08:13 +0000

Created firefox addon and Google Chrome Extension targeted at people who frequent motorcycle section of Craigslist. It now also works on following sites:

Craigslist motorcycle
eBay motors
Kijiji (US)
Advrider flea market
bcsportbikes bike marketplace
motorcycleforum

firefox addon : Craigslist motorcycle buy utility + 2. Craigslist Peek
Google Chrome Extension : Google Web Store – Motorcycle Shopping ( new Features and Issue-fixes first come here in Chrome and then in Firefox after month or so ) or from Craigslist motorcycle shopping + 2. Craigslist Peek

Features of the utility:-

Shows consumer reviews of motorcycle. This is very useful in finding pros/cons of the bike and also if the vehicle suits buyer.
Shows similar ads on top found elsewhere on craigslist and Oodle. This gives idea of market price and general availability.
Quick indication of if the motorcycle was dropped or was involved in accident.
Quick indication if its a moving sale.
Recently viewed Ads.
Add your Notes to the ads using Recently Viewed list.
Shows Factory Recalls. Gives idea of manufacturing defects etc. Also when buying make sure to ask original owner if the factory recalls were done.
Shows TSB (Technical Service Bulletin). The service information/updates issued by the manufacturer.
If a phone number (US/Canada) is mentioned in the ad then it creates a link on page which lets one easily search craigslist for other ads posted by the poster.

craigslist ad without the use of firefox addon

top portion of craigslist ad

motorcycle reviews

shows videos of motorcycle make/model

Epinion motorcycle reviews.

Motorcycle review at Review Centre by owner of motorcycle.

Same make / model motorcycle ad listing from Craigslist.

Motorcycle listing from Oodle below Craigslist motorcycle ad.

Updated :
Version 1.224
date: 2010-03-04
* Support for motorcycle sale sections of sites Advrider, BCSportBike and motorcycleforum.

Version 1.223
date: 2010-03-04
* Support for eBay and Kijiji (US).
* Fixed a bug that sometimes caused unresponsive script popup.

Version 1.221
date: 2009-12-17
* Added Oodle listing.
* Enhanced feature-block collapsible functionality.
* Added ability for user to specify ‘year’ and ‘make’ of motorcyle if its not automatically recognized by the extension.

Version 1.110
date: 2009-12-07
* Major change in the layout.
* Added Epinion reviews.
* Added ReviewCentre.

Version 1.10
* Did some code refactoring and renaming.

nice and sunny to cold and snowy in Vancouver

tech4computer — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 01:07:21 +0000

Vancouver, BC

Just an hour before this picture was taken I was enjoying riding motorcycle. It was nice and somewhat sunny and in just one hour changed to cloudy and snowy.

Used car shopping research extension for Craigslist, eBay, AutoTrader and Yahoo Autos

tech4computer — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 19:22:23 +0000

Craigslist car research extension is now available as a Firefox Addon, Greasemonkey userscript and Google Chrome extension. Pretty useful for anyone looking for a car.

Articles about it

CNET news : Make car shopping on Craigslist less cumbersome .. read
Lifehacker : Craigslist Car Research Extension Makes Used-Car Shopping Easier .. read

Sites this extension works on: craigslist, ebay, kijiji, autotrader, cars.com, vehix, aol and yahoo autos

Used car listings supported by this extension:

The Google Chrome version of Craigslist Car extension was one of the top 50 featured extension on the launch of Google Chrome Extension Gallery.

Download

1. Craigslist Car – Google Web Store (new features and issue-fixes first come here in Chrome and then in Firefox after month or so) + 2. Craigslist Peek
1. Craigslist Car – Firefox Extension + 2. Craigslist Peek
Craigslist car greasemonkey (old) script

Other extension that works well with this one:
- Craigslist car listing filter

Also created a related userscript that gives estimated cost of Importing US car or motorcycle to Canada.

Now this mashup is heavy but adding the enable/disable feature buttons is handy to manage the clutter and speedup browser load.

If the listing is in correct format then it will get that car’s model’s information from sites like MSN Autos, Edmunds.com, Automotive.com, motortrend.com, etc.

Features:

Gives estimated price from multiple sources. Also provides links for further research.
Factory car recalls for the car model.
Consumer reviews, this is the real gem.
Car reliability information. It shows the msn autos page focused at reliability section. This shows what kinda engine problems occur in that particular car. Other info is also there but reliability info is most useful on that page. Takes like 2 sec to get idea of how reliable that car model is.
Scans the posting and shows a highlighted message on top informing about:- accident car, rebuilt car, moving sale, one owner, suggests buyer to ask if the car was involved in an accident.
Lists similar (year/make/model) ads from craigslist on top. This gives the idea of going price and the supply/demand.
Aggregates car listing.
Shows thumbnails from Flickr (Gives idea of what the vehicle looks like and the appeal factor)
Recently viewed Ads.
Add your Notes to the ads using Recently Viewed list.
If there is a phone number in the post then it makes it easy to do a search of the phone number on Craigslist to find out if the ad poster has posted any other ads. This sometimes help in determining if its moving sale or a ad by a reseller etc.

Browser extensions by me

suggestions on craigslist car post

craigslist car price estimate from various sources

Disabled / collapsed state of features in Craigslist Car Research

craigslist car research showing consumer car reviews

Craigslist Car Research showing relevant discussion from Edmunds

car reliablility, KBB Kelly Blue Book value, msn autos

craigslist car extension works on Kijiji too

(my old site).

Updates

Version : 0.945
Jan 20, 2009

Now the extension also works on Cars.com, AOL autos, Vehix, freebo.com and pickuptrucks.com.

Version : 0.935
Jan 15, 2009

Now the extension works on eBay motors (US) and Yahoo Autos also.
Makes it easy to do search on VIN number.

Version : 0.925
Jan 10, 2009

Now it works on Kijiji (US) too beside Craigslist.
Lists similar matches from Yahoo Autos, Oodle. This gives idea of pricing and availability.
Now it lets user specify ‘Year’ or ‘Model’ if either one is missing or is not recognized from the listing title.
Flickr thumbnail gallery.
Improved feature collapse/expand functionality.

Version : 0.910
Dec 05, 2009

Fixed ‘turn car-research On’ link.
Added reviews from ReviewCentre?. This is experimental for now as sometimes it returns wrong results.
Added Epinion reviews. This is also experimental feature as it sometimes fail to work in Google Chrome.
Added AboutAutomobile? TSB (Technical Service Bulletin).
Added Google Videos of relevant car.

Version : 0.909
Nov 24, 2009

Similar car ads listing is now sorted by price
Clicking on main category blocks (Price, Reviews, Reliability) toggles subcategory blocks.
Added icon to suggestion box at top, to indicate that its part of extension and not from craigslist.
Minor changes to color scheme.

Version : 0.905
Nov 12, 2009

totally changed layout
created main category blocks Price, Reviews, Reliability.
moved some of the features from top of page to bottom so that the screen looks more clean and less busy.
added +/x buttons to enable/disable features. Removed old enable/disable buttons from top.
added background to indicate this is separate content then the original craigslist post.
now using safe `JSON` method to parse data instead of `eval` or `return new Function`
changed the search engine for finding Similar car ads on craigslist. Now it returns more recent listings.
re-enabled MSN Autos frame.
web annotations links (twitter, facebook,..) feature is removed for now.
re-designed the car-research on/off button and functionality.
now ‘Home of this utility (feedback)’ is minimized at first run.

Version: 0.501

Added Edmunds TMV price.
Fixed Enable/Disable buttons. They were not working properly in Firefox 3.6b1pre and Minefield 3.7a1pre.
Fixed code. Now Edmunds (discussion/reviews), Motortrend pricing, etc are working in Firefox 3.6b1pre and Minefield 3.7a1pre also.
Cosmetic change to the bottom block (‘Home of this utility’ block).
Added my icon

Version: 0.312

Added a feature that makes it easier to search all craigslist for other ads posted by the poster. Basically searches craigslist for matching phone number listed in the ad.

Car reviews etc

Added a new firefox extension “Car reviews etc“. Its a port of the above extension and works on any webpage not just craigslist. Its a strip down version of above extension and works by selecting text (in format “year model”, e.g. “2007 civic” or “2006 toyota camry”) on webpage and right-click to get context-menu. From context-menu select “car reviews etc”. This will show reviews, pricing, recall info etc.

firefox context-menu with car reviews etc extension