Quick GeoCommons search with Alfred

Last week Apple launched their highly anticipated Mac App Store, which makes desktop application purchasing incredibly simple. In particular, an application that David Kobia pointed out was a replacement for Quicksilver, called Alfred. If you haven’t used Quicksilver, LaunchBar, or a similar quick-app launching application, the concept is really powerful. With a simple keystroke, for example <command>-<space> a small window opens up where you can begin typing an application name and hit <enter> to launch the application. Much simpler than having to find the application deep in file folders, or clog upp the Mac Dock.

In using Alfred, I noticed a very nice feature to setup a web search. You can specify a shortcut command that will take the rest of what you enter and open up a search. The defaults include a Google search where you type “google bicycle” to do a search for bicycles on google.

I wanted to add a custom GeoCommons search. So I went into Alfred’s preferences, to “Custom Searches” and put “http://geocommons.com/search?query={query}” into the Search URL. I then specified the Keyword “gc” and saved the search. Now, I can press <command>-<space>, type in “gc environment” <enter> and immediately get a page of search results for environment data and maps from GeoCommons!

Almost exactly a year ago today Kate blogged about OpenSearch feature in GeoCommons where you can make GeoCommons a search-bar option. With Alfred you can now search GeoCommons directly from your desktop without even having to open your browser.