Channels Collections

Channels & Collections

Sherlock's interface (Figure 1) includes a feature called channels, which enables you to organize search sites based on the types of information they can find for you. Sherlock comes preconfigured with ten primary Apple-provided channels:

• Internet lets you search the Internet for general information.

• Pictures enables you to search for pictures of people, places, and things.

• Stocks enables you to track prices and get news about stocks in your portfolio.

• Movies enables you to get information about movie locations and show times, as well as watch movie trailers.

• Phone Book enables you to search for businesses and get driving directions.

• eBay lets you participate in online auctions on eBay.

• Flights enables you to get information about flight arrivals.

• Dictionary lets you look up words and acronyms to get their meanings and synonyms.

• Translation enables you to translate words and phrases between several languages.

• AppleCare lets you search for Macintosh products and technical information.

Channels are organized by collection. A collection is a group of channels. Sherlock comes preconfigured with several collections:

• Toolbar includes channels that appear on Sherlock's toolbar. When you customize the toolbar, the list changes accordingly.

• Channels Menu includes channels that appear on the Channels menu (Figure 3). When you add a shortcut to the Channels menu, the list changes accordingly.

  Figure 3. You can open a channel by choosing its name from the Channel menu.

  

  
  

• Apple Channels includes channels provided by Apple Computer, Inc.

• Other Channels includes channels from third-party providers.

• My Channels is a user-customizable list of channels where you can store your favorite channels.

Tip

• I explain how to customize Sherlock by adding channels, collections, and Channels menu shortcuts near the end of this chapter.

To view a collection

Click the name of the collection in the Collections list. A list of the channels in that collection appears in the main part of the window (Figures 1 and 4).

Figure 4. The Apple Channels collection lists channels provided by Apple.

Tip

• When you select the Other Channels collection for the first time, a dialog like the one in Figure 5 appears. Click Proceed to view the collection contents (Figure 6).

  Figure 5. The first time you try to view the Other Channels collection, a dialog like this may appear.

  

  
  

  Figure 6. Here's an example of what the Other Channels collection might look like.

  
  
  

To open a channel

Use one of the following techniques:

• Double-click the name of the channel in the channels list (Figures 1, 4, and 6).
  
  
• Click the icon for the channel in the toolbar at the top of any Sherlock window (Figures 1, 4, and 6).
  
  
• Choose the name of the channel from the Channel menu (Figure 3).