A new version of the Inquisitor plugin for Safari has been released, and it uses Yahoo's Build Your Own Search Service (BOSS).
Like a lot of Safari, Inquisitor is fast, even though it uses search suggestions and shows some results inline. Also like Safari, Inquisitor is pretty. The overlay is a handsome black and each result has the favicon of its site next to it.
The number of search suggestions and results are configurable. Check out "Search" in the Safari preferences to find the Inquisitor settings. The plugin also lets you switch away from using Yahoo search.
The configurable search engine is notable because Yahoo owns Inquisitor. The web granddaddy bought the plugin in May for its search interface innovation and to support Mac-specific initiatives.
It is refreshing to see a big company let a product remain somewhat independent. Yahoo offered the upsides (improved search performance according to Inquisitor creator David Watanabe), but now is staying out of the way.
Aside from ID switchover debacles, Yahoo has kept its acquisitions independent. Flickr still looks like Flickr. Delicious looks like Delicious. And Upcoming, despite recent UI tweaks and moving to a Yahoo sub-domain, maintains a non-Yahoo appearance.
[via SearchEngineWatch]
See also:
