Version 1.10
by Ciaran Hamilton
Version 1.10
by Ciaran Hamilton
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If you're like me, you've probably installed some sort of search bar on your system, such as the Google Deskbar, or Patrick Deal's Search Bar (as mentioned in the excellent LangaList).
DeskLinks is a free online tool that allows you to use most search bars - including the ones mentioned above - as a quick and easy way to access your favourite links. It works by allowing you to set up a list of 'trigger' words and associated Web addresses. When you type the word into the search box and select the DeskLinks search option or press the DeskLinks hotkey, DeskLinks looks up the trigger word and redirects your browser to the associated address.
For example, let's say you have an email address at MyRealBox, and you want to set up a link to http://myrealbox.com/, which is a page that allows you to quickly log into your account. You might want to assign this to the trigger mail, so that when you go your search bar, type "mail", and use DeskLinks, you would be directed to the login page, where you can enter your username and password without your fingers ever leaving the keyboard. :)
The idea is that this does essentially the same job as the Bookmarks/Favourites in your browser, but those who prefer using easily memorable codes to access pages (like me) would prefer this method. Also, with some search bars, you can open a page without your fingers ever leaving the keyboard. Which is nice.
You don't need to install anything extra to use DeskLinks - you can use it from straight within your browser if you wish. Using a search bar will allow you to access your links faster, though. Also, if you use a search bar, you'll need to tell it about DeskLinks, and give it a "custom URL" to allow DeskLinks to work. This is normally pretty simple; instructions for various programs are given when you sign up.
Not all of them. They've mostly been given that reputation by the many bars that are out there which exist solely to earn the company some money.
The inspiration for this tool came as I was using the Google Deskbar. This very handy tool makes searching Google very quick for someone like me - I almost always use the keyboard in preference to the mouse, as there are just so many shortcuts you can use.
My idea was that you should be able to access your most common links very quickly - and since the Deskbar was already out, I decided on a generic, online service rather than a separate program; which also brings along with it some important advantages.
So, the name is basically a variation on the word "Deskbar". It also neatly sums up what it's meant to be used for - an easy way to access your links from the desktop.
No. DeskLinks redirects you straight to the site using a "Found" (redirect) command (for all you geeky types, that's an HTTP status code of 302). Because it uses a redirect, browsers don't count the redirect page as a referrer, and as such, the site won't see your username and password.
Um. Yes, it is. But this way I can steal all your private URLs that you have on your bookmarks and sell them for profit. Mwahahahahaha! [insert evil grin here]
Only kidding. (I wouldn't really do that.) To tell the truth, I didn't realise Mozilla had this feature until a friend pointed it out to me. But, hey, I had done 75% of the thing done already, so I figured I might as well finish it. Plus, it works well with the Deskbar, and you can use this service wherever you are - so you can set it up for your desktop and laptop, say, and any changes made from one will apply to the other as well.
No, I'm not - unless you count being a happy user of their stuff as being affiliated. I just think Google rocks. :)
Yes. Simply use the special "?" trigger, and it will redirect you to a page listing all your triggers and links, where you can then easily see them.
Use the registration form on the main page.