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Login to post Forums » Off-topic discussion » Craigslist browser add-on for image previews, notes, alerts, multiple-city search and more

April 7, 2011 10:47 a.m. Ziink New Reader

A couple of weeks ago, I had posted a topic about my Craigslist browser add-on at http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/off-topic-discussion/searching-multiple-cra...

I got a number of very positive feedback and I've been working on improving it. I'm soliciting suggestions on new features. So, if you've wished that Craigslist worked a certain way, now's your opportunity to actually make it happen. Please post your suggestions here.

You can get more details and download links (FREE) for Firefox, Chrome & Safari at http://ziink.com

PS: Firefox users please install the latest version from https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/craigslist-helper/versions/

PPS: Thanks in advance to those who leave a positive review.
April 7, 2011 11:42 a.m. DoctorBlade HalfDork

This is a lot of fun to play with. I wish it had a bookmark function. Or maybe it does and I havent' figured it out.
April 7, 2011 11:47 a.m. Grtechguy SuperDork

I have 1 request. an enable/disable option
April 7, 2011 11:58 a.m. Ziink New Reader

DoctorBlade wrote:

This is a lot of fun to play with. I wish it had a bookmark function. Or maybe it does and I havent' figured it out.

It does. You click on the gray star on the right side of the ad. The star turns yellow. Whenever, you want to view the list of bookmarked ads, click on the add-on icon (the colorful peace icon) and select 'Browse Starred Ads'.

To make it less obscure, I'll add a tooltip to the star. Would it still be too oscure?

PS: I'm trying to get 3 more 5-star reviews today.
April 7, 2011 12:06 p.m. Ziink New Reader

Grtechguy wrote:

I have 1 request. an enable/disable option

It does in the latest version (0.0.09). Click on the colorful peace icon on the bottom right of the window (I'm assuming you are using Firefox) and select 'Pause'.

This will disable it till you restart the browser or you uncheck the 'Pause'.

If you want to disable it for a longer duration, it is better to use the Firefox add-on manager to disable it. Then it doesn't get loaded at all and uses zero memory.

PS: Can I please get a 5-star review. Please, please, please
April 7, 2011 12:33 p.m. slefain SuperDork

Why am I getting that canoe'y feeling?
April 7, 2011 12:51 p.m. keethrax Reader

slefain wrote:

Why am I getting that canoe'y feeling?

Because you're overly sensitive?

It's a sweet tool with lots of relevant applicability to lots here that he's giving away for free, and wants to know what stuff we'd use to make it even better.

Where's the problem?
April 7, 2011 1:00 p.m. slefain SuperDork

keethrax wrote:

slefain wrote:

Why am I getting that canoe'y feeling?

Because you're overly sensitive?

It's a sweet tool with lots of relevant applicability to lots here that he's giving away for free, and wants to know what stuff we'd use to make it even better.

Where's the problem?

Nevermind, I see the canoe flag was already discussed in his previous postings.

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/off-topic-discussion/searching-multiple-cra...
April 7, 2011 3:40 p.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

Here is something I have noticed. When I search multiple cities with this tool and I hover the mouse over the text, I can not tell what city the listing is from or how far away it is.

It would be nice if when I hovered over there was a way to know which city"s craigslist the posting was coming from.
April 7, 2011 4:23 p.m. xfactoraeg New Reader

I haven't tried the new version, but it'd be nice if the search distance stayed put until I changed it. Having to enter in new search terms, click search and then change the miles and click search again wasn't something I was too fond of.

And maybe the option of leaving the search bar expanded or minimized up to the user, that'd be cool too. If this is already addressed in the new version or I'm just missing it, disregard.
April 7, 2011 9:39 p.m. SyntheticBlinkerFluid Reader

I'll have to download this.
April 7, 2011 9:47 p.m. geomiata Reader

very nice!
April 7, 2011 10:18 p.m. DoctorBlade HalfDork

Ziink wrote:

DoctorBlade wrote:

This is a lot of fun to play with. I wish it had a bookmark function. Or maybe it does and I havent' figured it out.

It does. You click on the gray star on the right side of the ad. The star turns yellow. Whenever, you want to view the list of bookmarked ads, click on the add-on icon (the colorful peace icon) and select 'Browse Starred Ads'.

To make it less obscure, I'll add a tooltip to the star. Would it still be too oscure?

PS: I'm trying to get 3 more 5-star reviews today.

Oh duh. I feel like a doofus. Thanks!
April 8, 2011 7:32 a.m. Ziink New Reader

jrw1621 wrote:

Here is something I have noticed. When I search multiple cities with this tool and I hover the mouse over the text, I can not tell what city the listing is from or how far away it is.

It would be nice if when I hovered over there was a way to know which city"s craigslist the posting was coming from.

I've now changed it such that if the location is not specified in the ad, then the listing will show the CL site the ad is from using square brackets. Something like

Mar 29 - 1968 Volkswagen Bus/Vanagon Double Cab - $8500 [orlando]

This will be available in the next release.
April 8, 2011 7:38 a.m. Ziink New Reader

xfactoraeg wrote:

I haven't tried the new version, but it'd be nice if the search distance stayed put until I changed it. Having to enter in new search terms, click search and then change the miles and click search again wasn't something I was too fond of.

And maybe the option of leaving the search bar expanded or minimized up to the user, that'd be cool too. If this is already addressed in the new version or I'm just missing it, disregard.

You have very valid points and unfortunately neither has been implemented yet.

I'll add this to the queue and hopefully have it done within the next couple of weeks.
April 8, 2011 7:44 a.m. Ziink New Reader

Email anyone?

I'm midway through the feature where when you click on an email address (either from the search page or the ad page), it will open up your preferred webmail's (gmail, yahoo, hotmail, aol) compose page with some of the fields filled in.

I'd like to get a feel of how many people use email to respond to ads and if you would find this useful.
April 8, 2011 8:38 a.m. AngryCorvair SuperDork

Ziink wrote:

Email anyone?

I'm midway through the feature where when you click on an email address (either from the search page or the ad page), it will open up your preferred webmail's (gmail, yahoo, hotmail, aol) compose page with some of the fields filled in.

I'd like to get a feel of how many people use email to respond to ads and if you would find this useful.

even when a phone number is given, i use the email reply unless the ad specifically says "i don't check email. phone calls only" or something very similar. so opening gmail in another tab would be cool for me.

this looks like a great tool. thanks for puttin' in the work!
April 8, 2011 4:43 p.m. Ziink New Reader

AngryCorvair wrote: even when a phone number is given, i use the email reply unless the ad specifically says "i don't check email. phone calls only" or something very similar. so opening gmail in another tab would be cool for me.

this looks like a great tool. thanks for puttin' in the work!

I have the basic feature working on Google Chrome. Got to port it to Firefox now.
April 9, 2011 12:17 p.m. Ziink New Reader

Updated Craigslist Helper for chrome browser now available at https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/naddbmiihfcdfaeencbcmbpioghcjlje

It has couple of bug fixes and handling of email.

When you click on the email address either in the preview or in the ad page, it will open up a new email tab to compose your email in. You can choose one of Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Hotmail, or AOL Mail.

For those who use the 'personals' section, you can enter the captcha from within the preview and response from there.

I would appreciate it if someone who uses this feature will give me their feedback.

The Firefox version should be updated soon.
April 11, 2011 9:04 a.m. Ziink New Reader

Latest version of 'Craigslist Helper' for Firefox now available at

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/craigslist-helper/versions/

This update includes email handling and improvements in 'All of Craigslist' search.

xfactoraeg, it also includes one of your suggestions. I'll let you figure out which one :)

Again, if any of you have any suggestions, I'd like to hear from you.
April 11, 2011 9:12 a.m. Mental SuperDork

This is a great tool, how about an iPhone/Andriod app?
April 12, 2011 9:08 a.m. Ziink New Reader

Mental wrote:

This is a great tool, how about an iPhone/Andriod app?

Many of the features of this add-on uses extra bandwidth. Considering that wireless bandwidth is pretty expensive (or will be soon) creating an iPhone/Android version might not make sense.

By the way, there are already some Craigslist apps for iPhone/Android that do a pretty decent job of making Craigslist better.
April 12, 2011 3:39 p.m. Ziink New Reader
Latest Firefox version now available at https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/craigslist-helper/versions/
1. Improved multi-city search as per xfactoraeg's suggestion (see above).
2. Improved the 'search all of cl' page. It fetches in more results and you can start a new search directly from that page.
The Chrome version has also been updated and is now available : Craigslist Helper for Chrome with multi-city search

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