IDEA : universal on-screen search tool

[joiwind]

Have you ever been confronted with long texts in windows that don't have search capabilities ?

So how about a desktop-based search tool that can be called up and find any text in any open window - is this feasible ?

[rjbull]

This may not be quite what you asked, but have you tried Fanix Software's Hilitext?

Hilitext - The super-powered text finder tool

Hilitext is a powerful OS-level text finder tool that works with all Windows programs to help you find what you are looking for easier and faster. Powered with an innovative text highlighting technology, Hilitext automatically scans your screen and highlights every instance of your keywords in all open desktop windows including web pages, e-mail messages and other documents to help you find information more quickly and easily. It continues to highlight all instances of your target terms automatically as you surf from web page to web page or e-mail to e-mail.

[capitalH]

This might also be useful for programs with an insanely outdated search facility (I am looking at you *.chm)

[joiwind]

Thanks rjbull - that does exactly what I want BUT it's ugly, quirky and not cheap for what it is.
I was hoping this might inspire someone ....

Yes capitalH - you're right.

[rjbull]

that does exactly what I want BUT it's ugly, quirky and not cheap for what it is.

It also hasn't been updated for ages.  That doesn't give me a good feeling...  You can still find the last free version of Hilitext here: http://www.321download.com/LastFreeware/page12.html#Hilitext ; I don't know how well it works on recent versions of Windows.

I was hoping this might inspire someone ....

It would be nice to see an alternative!

[joiwind]

Thanks for the link rjbull and for "pushing" this idea !

[Curt]

Hilitext (shareware version) works on Vista's Notepad, but not on Firefox 9.

[rjbull]

Hilitext (shareware version) works on Vista's Notepad, but not on Firefox 9.

Doesn't even work properly on 3.6.15...  It worked fine on XP, but something's gone wrong since.  I seem to remember mouser saying it needed some good OS-level code, which Fanix had, but that might easily be broken by a new Windows, and I don't think Hilitext has been updated for ages.