my search bar


 •  What is the My Search Bar?
 •  How do I "uninstall" the My Search Bar?
 •  Will the My Search Bar work with my Web browser?
 •  To find out what version your browser is, try this...
 •  What are the system requirements for installing the My Search Bar?
 •  Does the My Search Bar track where I go on the Internet?
 •  Why do some people mistake the My Search Bar for spyware? 

navigating


 •  Can I search the Web with the My Search Bar?
 •  Can I hide the My Search Bar on my browser?

customizing


 •  How do I customize the My Search Bar?
 •  How do I add or modify buttons on the My Search Bar?
 •  How do I change the layout of the My Search Bar?
 •  How do I add links to the My Search Bar?
 •  How do I change my default Search button?

troubleshooting guide


 •  The My Search Bar says, "Retrieving buttons from My Search..."
 •  I installed the My Search Bar, but it does not appear. Why?
 •  I cannot find "My Search Bar" in my Internet Explorer toolbars menu.
 •  The Toolbar was on my Internet Explorer browser but now it's gone. What happened?

 
general questions


What is the My Search Bar?
The My Search Bar installs directly onto your Web browser. Its design allows you to easily search the Web using a variety of popular search engines at your fingertips. It also offers you the ability to add your own personalized buttons and links for one-click access to all your favorite sites and pages on the Internet. The My Search Bar is free to use.
 
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How do I "uninstall" the My Search Bar?
You can easily uninstall the My Search Bar using the instructions below:
 •  Close all open Web browsers
 •  From the "Start" menu in Windows, select "Control Panel", and then select "Add/Remove Programs"
 •  Select "My Search Bar"
 •  Click "Change/Remove"

The My Search bar will be uninstalled. However, if you reopen your Web browser, and still see the My Search Bar, you may need to restart your computer for the uninstall process to be completed.

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Will the My Search Bar work with my Web browser?
The My Search Bar will work with the most recent versions of Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator. The Search Bar is fully compatible with Internet Explorer versions 5.0 and above. The Search Bar is compatible with Netscape Navigator versions 4.0 through 4.79. The Search Bar is not compatible with browser versions below 4.0 and currently is not compatible with Netscape 6.0 and 7.0.
 
To find out what version your browser is, try this:
Internet Explorer: Go to the Help menu located at the top of your browser. Select "About Internet Explorer." A box will appear that tells you what version you have.
 
Netscape Navigator: Go to the Help menu located at the top of your browser. Select "About Navigator." A page will appear that tells you the name of the browser (Navigator or Communicator) and the version.
 
Note to AOL Users: The My Search Bar is designed for use with standard Web browsers and currently will not function within AOL's software or its built-in Web browser. However, you can use My Search Bar on any supported browser you launch while you are connected to the Internet through AOL.
 
Note to WebTV Users: The My Search Bar currently does not function with the WebTV interface.
 
Note to CompuServe Users: The My Search Bar is designed for use with standard Web browsers and currently will not function with the browser supplied by CompuServe.
 
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What are the system requirements for installing the Toolbar?
The My Search Bar is currently available for Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, Windows XP, Windows ME, and Windows 2000. The My Search Bar software and cache require only 300k of disk space on the disk drive containing your windows directory (usually the C: drive). If you are currently able to run a supported Web browser on your computer, you should be able to install and run the My Search Bar. In particular, your Web browser and the My Search Bar require a 486 or newer, compatible processor, 16 MB of RAM, VGA display (SVGA is recommended), a mouse or similar pointing device, and Internet access.
 
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Does the My Search Bar track where I go on the Internet?
The My Search Bar does not monitor or report back to My Search information about where you are traveling when you leave the My Search service, or what you do on other Web sites.
 
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Why do some people mistake the My Search Bar for spyware?
We feel compelled to respond to the fact that our product is sometimes erroneously referred to as spyware.  Such statements are completely false and in many cases subject to legal challenge as a form of libel. However, the reality is that there is a substantial amount of confusion and misinformation on the Web about how programs work and what "spyware" means.

This problem has been compounded by the evolution of so-called "spyware" detection programs that are being operated in many cases without attention to the facts or details. In many cases, these programs may label programs as "adware," "spyware," "malware," "dataminer" or another classification simply because the program is a plug-in. 

We have engaged in a productive dialog with many providers of spyware detection software that have acknowledged that our product is not spyware and removed it or properly classified the software. 

But here's what you really need to know: The My Search Bar does not collect any personal information and is completely "spyware"-free and "adware"-free.  Period.

The My Search Bar was specifically designed to provide a great user experience free of spyware, adware, direct marketing, data mining or other similar activities. In order to achieve that goal: 

  • The toolbar software DOES NOT collect personal information of any kind, period. No email address, registration or other information is required to use the product. No zip code, no email, no member name, no password. Unlike many other products, we do not even attempt to collect data upon startup as a requirement of use.
     
  • The toolbar software DOES NOT monitor the websites visited by the end user, collect or in any manner report any information about what sites an end users visits (or any clickstream activity), nor does it monitor or scrape information when you are on other sites.
     
  • The toolbar software DOES NOT serve or facilitate so-called "contextual advertising" or pop-up ads. Many applications are identified as spyware because they monitor end-user Internet usage and serve contextual pop-ups. The My Search Bar does not engage in any such practices. 

To provide our users with access to a range of high quality search engines AND to enable each user to customize his or her experience: 

  • The toolbar software DOES install a browser plug-in that enables users to send a search query for processing by My Web Search using one or more of its search engines.
     
  • The toolbar software DOES send a small configuration request to the My Web Search website upon start-up of the browser. This request is typically 5k in size and is made to confirm that the toolbar is properly configured in accordance with users' settings and preferences.
     
  • The toolbar software DOES enable My Web Search to transmit updates to the software upon notice to the user.  We recognize that you may be sensitive to the issue of updating. Like many major online software distributors  – including AOL, Microsoft, Yahoo, Real, etc. – we have designed updateable software in order to ensure that it can be kept current and in working order as changes may be made to Internet protocols, browser software, etc.  Pursuant to our End User License Agreement, we guarantee that no update to the product or fix will ever be made in violation of the terms of the Agreement – which means that even if we do update the software, we will not deploy any software or technology that would monitor the user's habits, collect personal information, or otherwise violate the commitments we have made to provide a product that is spyware-free and adware-free, unless we have received express agreement from the user.

In short, the My Search Bar provides a superior search experience on an ANONYMOUS basis and without any additional monitoring, contextual ads or other nuisances.

 
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navigating


Can I search the Web with the My Search Bar?
Yes! The My Search Bar allows you to search the Web using a number of popular search engine options. You can look up images, MP3s, and more - as well as perform a general Web search - using Google, Yahoo!, Ask Jeeves, or LookSmart. All this can be done right from the My Search Bar. Finding what you're searching for has never been easier or more convenient. 
 
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Can I hide the My Search Bar from my browser?
If you are using Internet Explorer 5.0 or above, you can hide the My Search Bar by doing the following:
 •  Go to the "View" menu at the top of your browser.
 •  Select "Toolbars"
 •  Click "My Search Bar" to hide; click again to unhide.

If you are using Internet Explorer 4.0 you cannot hide the My Search Bar. If you are using any version of Netscape Navigator, you cannot currently hide the My Search Bar.
 
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customizing


How do I customize the My Search Bar?
To customize the My Search Bar, click on the "My Search" button on the toolbar. 

You will be shown the following customization options:

 •  Add/Remove Buttons: This option allows you to choose a default search provider button, as well as add other search provider buttons and your own personalized buttons that you would like to see appear on your My Search Bar.

 •  Change Order of Buttons: This option allows you to customize the order in which your selected buttons are displayed on the My Search Bar.

 •  Edit Personalized Buttons: This option allows you to customize your personalized buttons and links.

 •  Change Default Search Provider: This option allows you to choose a default search provider button or change your current settings.

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How do I add or modify buttons on the Toolbar?
Go to the "Personalize My Search Bar" page by selecting "Add/Remove Buttons" from the "My Search" button on the Search Bar. On this page you are able to select which buttons you wish to have displayed on your My Search Bar. You can select up to 4 search providers as well as 5 personalized buttons from the available list to have displayed on your Search Bar.

Once you have selected the buttons that you would like to display on your Search Bar, click "Finished" when done, click "Change Layout" to change the order of the buttons on your Search Bar, or click "Edit My Buttons" to edit your personalized buttons.

Note: If you choose to include more buttons than will fit across the Search Bar at one time, you can find the remaining buttons at the right side of the Search Bar under the "More>>" button. Clicking on this button will show you a list of the remaining buttons that will not fit within the Search Bar.

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How do I change the layout of the My Search Bar buttons?
Once you have selected the buttons that you would like to display on your Search Bar, click on the "Change Layout" button on the "Personalize My Search Bar" page. (Or from your Search Bar, click the "My Search" button and select "Change Order of Buttons.") On this page you are able to specify the order in which the buttons are displayed on the Search Bar.

Click a button name in the "button order" box and then click the up and down arrow buttons to move it up or down within the list of buttons. Buttons that you move to the top of this list will display immediately to the right of the Search box on the My Search Bar.

To remove a button, click a button name and then click the "X" button to the right of the "button order" box.

When you have placed the buttons in the order which you would like them displayed, click either "Finished" if you are done, "Add More" to add more buttons to your toolbar, or "Edit My Buttons" to further customize your My Search Bar buttons.

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How do I add links to the My Search Bar?
If you have chosen to add any of the personalized buttons to your My Search Bar, this page will allow you to customize each individual button with specific links of your choosing.

To customize any of the personalized buttons, select the button that you would like to customize from the list at the top.

Note: If you wish to customize any of the personalized buttons, you will have to have already selected them within the "Personalize My Search Bar" page.

Personalized Button Customization

Button Title: This is how the particular button will be labeled on the My Search Bar. If you leave this field blank, your toolbar will display "My Button X" where "X" is the default button name.

Button URL: Enter in the URL of the page that you would like this button to point to. By clicking on this button, you will then be taken directly to that page.

Button Icon: Select, from the displayed options, the icon that you would like to be shown for that particular button.

Edit/Add links in button

You can customize additional links within each button that will display within the drop down list when clicking the arrow next to each button. To do so, enter in the link name as you would like it displayed on the list as well as the URL of the page that you wish to point to. Click on the "Add>>" button to add the new link to the list for this button

To change the order in which these additional links are displayed within the button drop-down menu, click the link name in the right box and then click the up and down arrow buttons to move it within the list.

To remove a link form this list, click on the link you wish to remove and then click the "X" button.

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How do I change my default Search button?
If you want to change the search provider that your My Search Bar defaults to when you enter a search (in other words, the first search button to the right of the search box), click the "My Search" button and choose "Change Default Search Provider." 

You have the option of changing your default search provider from a list of all My Search Bar search providers. You may also add or remove My Search Bar search buttons - or your personalized buttons - while on this page.

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troubleshooting guide


The My Search Bar says, "Retrieving buttons from My Search..."
In some cases, this will happen when you first launch your browser. Retrieving buttons should not last more than 10 seconds. If it takes longer than 10 seconds, you might not be connected to the Internet. You must first connect to the Internet using a network login or ISP account.
 
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I installed the My Search Bar, but it does not appear. Why?
The toolbar may be hidden. If you have Internet Explorer, do the following to unhide the My Search Bar:

 •  Go to the "View" menu at the top of your browser
 •  Select "Toolbars"
 •  Click "My Search Bar" to unhide the Toolbar

Microsoft has reported a significant bug with versions of Internet Explorer between 5.0.0.0 and 5.00.2919.0. If your Internet Explorer version number is within this range and your computer's operating system is Windows NT or Windows 2000, you should upgrade to the latest version of Internet Explorer. The bug in these versions may prevent you from successfully using the My Search Bar.
 
To find out what version of Internet Explorer you have, go to the Help menu located at the top of your browser. Select "About Internet Explorer." A box will appear that tells you what version you have.
 
If at some point you uninstalled the My Search Bar, and you are using a Microsoft browser, you may experience difficulty seeing it right away if you attempt to re-install it. The easiest way to make the My Search Bar reappear is to close and restart your Web browser.
 
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I cannot find "My Search Bar" in my Internet Explorer toolbars menu.
There is a known bug with certain versions of Internet Explorer that will cause the My Search Bar to be labeled "Radio" under the toolbars list. If this is the case with your browser, you'll need to do the following to hide or unhide the My Search Bar:

 •  Go to the "View" menu at the top of your browser
 •  Select "Toolbars"
 •  Click on each instance of "Radio" until you see the Search Bar hide/unhide

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The My Search Bar was on my Internet Explorer browser but now it's gone. What happened?
On certain occasions when using Internet Explorer 5.0, you might notice the My Search Bar is not visible when you re-launch the browser. If this happens, do the following:

 •  Go to the "View" menu at the top of your browser
 •  Select "Toolbars"
 •  Click "My Search Bar" to restore the Toolbar on your browser.
 
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