IDEA Drop Zone javascript link extractor and launcher

[magician62]

Preferably in AHK so I can learn a little

I use Ancestry...

  In the past it would provide a search result list with links. You could right click the ones of interest into a new tab, or window. They have recently moved to javascript. which only allows you to open one choice in the current window. a right pain as it slows down everything you do !

First  a drop zone is needed where I can drag the javascript link.

On mouseover the status bars shows. 

Code

javascript:SetCfpId(102049804500)

The variable we need is the bit between the brackets. In this example.

Code

102049804500

The util will need a place for the user to store the "URL string" the javascript variable gets appended to.

example of "URL string"

Code

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/tree/12345678/family/familyview?cfpid=

On dropping the link, the real URL is assembled
eg

Code

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/tree/12345678/family/familyview?cfpid=102049804500

The resulting URL should ideally be launched in a new tab on the source browser window, or a new window.

Using Chrome.

TIA
John

[4wd]

I would think a UserScript would be a better option, have the links replaced directly in the page.

BTW, just tried a search on Ancestry and it comes back with full links here, (wife uses Ancestry all the time via the local library portal).

[magician62]

The links I refer to are those provided when in "tree view" and you do a "tree search".

[attach=#]

[publicdomain]

The resulting URL should ideally be launched in a new tab on the source browser window, or a new window.

Using Chrome.

TIA
John

Hi John, sure thing! Give me a day or two to complete this "Drop Launcher" project 

Cheers!
Vic

[magician62]

Many thanks for the reply Vic.

I am noticing more and more each day, websites making things "harder"/"slower". I wonder how much is to make it mobile compatible. Not that anyone would have several screens open at the same time on multiple monitors.

[publicdomain]

Many thanks for the reply Vic.

My pleasure!

Quick question before uploading first alpha as per your requirements. Is this Chrome-only?

[magician62]

Sorry for the slow reply, days have just disappeared of late.

Yes, Chrome only. I rarely use Firefox, never Edge. and only use IE if nothing else works.

[publicdomain]

Yes, Chrome only.

Hello John! This alpha release should do exactly what you want for the ancestry site



Please download & test (Updated to v0.1.0): https://github.com/publicdomain/drop-launcher/releases/tag/v0.1.0

Cheers!
Vic

[publicdomain]

(A more-generic version is in the making with regular expressions for adapting it to any site)

It's published!

Drop Launcher thread: https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=51294.0

Cheers!
Vic

[magician62]

Sorry I have been absent for a few days, though it seems like years. Will take a look later when I return. I hadn't realised how long it has been since I last checked my emails!

[magician62]

I think I am am going to have to try again in the morning. I downloaded, but nothing appeared to happen. I edited the tree URL. It indicated it had launched after a drop, but nothing seen.

I also found another ancestry Feature. If you use the tree search from a persons profile, it still provides a real link. It's great they code for consistency, NOT!

[publicdomain]

I think I am am going to have to try again in the morning. I downloaded, but nothing appeared to happen.

Please try with latest version (v0.1.0) at: https://github.com/publicdomain/drop-launcher/releases/tag/v0.1.0

Thanks!

[magician62]

Please try with latest version (v0.1.0) at: https://github.com/publicdomain/drop-launcher/releases/tag/v0.1.0

Thanks!

No noticeable difference. Still counts number launched, but nothing appears.

Is there a way to tweak it so it just outputs what I have dragged and what it is proposing to do?

I did try editing the settings to make LaunchRegex the same as resulting page, the theory was no matter what was dropped it would execute a valid result. That didn't do anything either, but then I was guessing.

[publicdomain]

No noticeable difference. Still counts number launched, but nothing appears.

Is there a way to tweak it so it just outputs what I have dragged and what it is proposing to do?

There may be no need for such a "debug tweak"

Please retry with this fixed version (v0.1.1): https://github.com/publicdomain/drop-launcher/releases/tag/v0.1.1

Many thanks for your test & report

User input is magical! It makes software work as it should 

Cheers!
Vic

[publicdomain]

Please retry with this fixed version (v0.1.1): https://github.com/publicdomain/drop-launcher/releases/tag/v0.1.1

Tested on Windows 10 using Google Chrome. Matches regex & launches.

https://github.com/publicdomain/drop-launcher/releases/tag/v0.1.1

[magician62]

It works It works. Many thanks indeed.

[publicdomain]

It works It works. Many thanks indeed.

So glad you liked it

Preferably in AHK so I can learn a little

You may learn the Regular Expression language for .NET to expand the program's matching & launching: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/standard/base-types/regular-expression-language-quick-reference

Cheers & I'm very happy to assist

Vic