Input/Textbox context menu should provide »Search [current search engine] for "[selected text]"« menu item.

[over 5000]

Binary package hint: firefox-3.0

Pretty often, I want to search (especially online dictionaries) for text in input boxes. (E.g. out of a webmail reply window.)

This is not currently possible via the context menu, as it is possible for normal selected text.
I don't see, why it shouldn't. So this feature would be very welcome!

[Kelvin Gardiner (kelvingardiner)]

I would also find this a usefully feature.

[Alexander Sack (asac)]

On Tue, May 20, 2008 at 12:19:17PM -0000, kbit wrote:
> Public bug reported:
>
> Binary package hint: firefox-3.0
>
> Pretty often, I want to search (especially online dictionaries) for text
> in input boxes. (E.g. out of a webmail reply window.)
>
> This is not currently possible via the context menu, as it is possible for normal selected text.
> I don't see, why it shouldn't. So this feature would be very welcome!
>

Standard ansewr: this can be done in an extension and you should be
able to find some i am sure.

 status invalid

 - Alexander

[over 5000 (over5000-deactivatedaccount)]

Well, yes, a lot can be done in an extension.

But, please, what is a proper reason to not have this in the default install?

You would not put the "Go" button into an extension, telling people "You can hit Return instead, anyway!", would you?
Or the search box itself... clearly an extension outsourcing candidate, no? You can use the address bar to go to google, yahoo, wikipedia etc. and search from there.

Therefore, please tell me: Why should some highlighted text be searchable, and some other not? Just because it's in an input box? Is the first more equal than the second?)
That's plain bad usability.

[Alexander Sack (asac)]

On Thu, Jun 05, 2008 at 11:55:10AM -0000, kbit wrote:
> Well, yes, a lot can be done in an extension.
>
> But, please, what is a proper reason to not have this in the default
> install?
>
> You would not put the "Go" button into an extension, telling people "You can hit Return instead, anyway!", would you?
> Or the search box itself... clearly an extension outsourcing candidate, no? You can use the address bar to go to google, yahoo, wikipedia etc. and search from there.
>
> Therefore, please tell me: Why should some highlighted text be searchable, and some other not? Just because it's in an input box? Is the first more equal than the second?)
> That's plain bad usability.
>

The process to get firefox add new features has quite requirements, as
otherwise firefox would become a feature bloated app. So usually this
means if you want a new feature, you need to have a damn good argument
or have to drop another feature.

anyway, the right procedure for new features it to lobby for it in
forums.mozillazine.org and if you get lots of cheering there, open an
enhancement bug in bugzilla.mozilla.org and point to the mozillazin
cheering there.

 status invalid

 - Alexander

[over 5000 (over5000-deactivatedaccount)]

Hm. Sounds like I have no chance.

But thanks for your help!