[whatwg] Proposal for IsSearchProviderInstalled / AddSearchProvider

[Adam Shannon]

On Mon, May 16, 2011 at 18:39, Ian Hickson <ian at hixie.ch> wrote:
> On Mon, 16 May 2011, Adam Shannon wrote:
>>
>> I don't like having the only barrier between changing the default search
>> engine for a user's browser be a single dialog box. This list (and
>> others) have repeatedly found that dialogs don't work and users skip
>> past them.
>>
>> Think of the non-techy user who simply clicks yes to evil.com's request
>> to change default search provider. Will they even know what that means?
>> Will they care at the time of the dialog? How will they revert back?
>>
>> I'd rather see UA's implement better controls on their end than see an
>> API which could be largely abused. (Drag and drop browser controls over
>> tons of sites asking for permission to be the default.)
>
> I agree. Note that the spec doesn't say there should be a dialog box at
> all; it's left entirely up to the UAs.
>
> --
> Ian Hickson               U+1047E                )\._.,--....,'``.    fL
> http://ln.hixie.ch/       U+263A                /,   _.. \   _\  ;`._ ,.
> Things that are impossible just take longer.   `._.-(,_..'--(,_..'`-.;.'
>

Perhaps it would be better for the group to send a proposal for a UI
(or at least guidelines) that's acceptable both from a realistic
usability and security standpoint?

-- 
Adam Shannon
Web Developer
University of Northern Iowa
Sophomore -- Computer Science B.S.
http://ashannon.us