carloscabo / chrome-aliaser Goto Github PK

Aliaser is a Chrome extension that provides multiple-parameter URL aliasing.

Currently in Chrome, you can create single-parameter aliases by customizing your Search Engines in settings. However, you can only use one %s parameter.

This extension provides similar functionality but with multiple %s parameters allowed in the URL. You can also use it for your single- and no-parameter aliases, of course

Enter new aliases into the Aliaser extension popup, using %s to denote parameters.

Once you've entered an alias into the extension popup, you can invoke it by entering a followed by a space into the address bar to summon the extension omnibox, then type the alias followed by any parameter values it expects to see.

For example, to invoke the spanishfor alias in the above screenshot to find out what the spanish translation of "good job, you!" is, just type

a spanishfor good job, you!

Of course, while this extension provides a handy toolbar popup reference for your aliases, if you define this as a custom search engine in Chrome instead, you can do away with the extra two keystrokes (a followed by space) at the beginning of this command.

The service this extension really provides over Chrome's custom search engines is that it allows you to use multiple %s parameters in a URL.

So for example, using the bikes alias in the above screenshot, the following command will take you to all Univega bikes posted for sale in Seattle's Craigslist for $200 to $600:

a bikes seattle univega 200 600

If more tokens are entered for an alias than it expects, all tokens will be lumped together and applied to the final parameter.

So for example, a a 3 wolves howling at the moon
will take you to http://www.amazon.com/s/?field-keywords=3%20wolves%20howling%20at%20the%20moon without complaint

To send a spaced-out token to a middling parameter, use quotes.

So a map "1443 Alabama St SF" bike 10
will take you to https://maps.google.com/maps?q=1443%20Alabama%20St%20SF&lci=bike&z=10

If you supply fewer tokens than a parameterized URL expects, the aliaser will attempt to recover the situation by simply leaving off those parameters if they are not part of the subdomain portion of the URL.

So a map "1443 Alabama St SF" bike
will take you to https://maps.google.com/maps?q=1443%20Alabama%20St$20SF&lci=bike

And a you
will take you to http://www.youtube.com

But if you enter a bikes, there is nothing to be done, so nothing will be done.

I've written up a blog post about this extension here