The distant Fluent Search 1.0, another search software

09/11/2022

After using it for more than a year, it can be regarded as an initial user. Fluent Search is still a long way from 1.0 under the crazy updates of developers.

What is Fluent Search

Yes, another search software. But it has better appearance and richer functions than similar software, but also brings more instability.

  • Fluent Search official website , it is not recommended to install the Microsoft Store version, the function will be limited
  • Only supports Windows 10/11

Advantages and disadvantages (personal opinion)

advantage:

  • Appearance (there should be no rivals under Windows)
  • Task: low-end version plug-in
  • Multi-screen support, let the search window appear where you want
  • Shortcut support Win Ctrl + Ctrl Alt + Alt
  • The update frequency of nightly is close to that of nightly , and the frequency has been reduced recently.
  • Preview:
    • Files, directories: some documents can be edited directly, pictures, audio and video
    • Webpage: Convenient to temporarily open a webpage, you can specify PC style or mobile style
  • Auxiliary function: Although it is not used by individuals, there are still some good ones. Special groups also need to improve efficiency

shortcoming:

  • Selecting search results is inconvenient, does not support selection via Ctrl\Alt + 数字, and键盘导航is not very useful as an alternative
  • There is no switch使用管理员权限运行, and a wave of manual operation is required
  • Stability is still lacking, but basically usable
  • There are not many plugins, although some can be replaced by task flows

Start with looks

Appearance is productivity, but animation on Windows is still forgotten.

I was keen on new things and rushed when Windows 11 first came out. After using it for a while, I found that Listary had compatibility problems. The author broke the update and could not use it normally, so I started to look for a solution. During the period, I tried to use uTools, Wox, ueli, and Flow launch, and found that Listary is still easy to use, so I can only make do with it first. Until one day, I found Fluent Search in a corner. Although it is not as smooth as Listary, its appearance stands out among a lot of software, so that’s it.

Appearance, animation, customization

Settings Location: Appearance, Effects, Settings, Home

Adjustable from colors to windows, from fonts to messages

1 Search interface style: search bar, custom icon and watermark 1 Search interface style: window 1 Search interface style: window, and enable the home page, it is not impossible to use it as a start menu

trapped in strength

Long-term active developers have accelerated the arrival of various new functions and improved bug fixing efficiency through timely communication.

Note: If the function below is not found, it means that this function only exists in the beta version

search

Indexer & Machine Learning

Setting location: File -> File Indexer, Machine Learning (requires reindexing)

Support the use of other indexers, such as: Windows built-in, Everything. But compatibility is not guaranteed, after all, the developers themselves have not tossed well. Machine learning optimizes the returned results based on past selections to improve the hit rate.

search tags

Setting Location: Label, Super User

The label supports both Chinese and English recognition, such as: the文件夹and directory are the same, but the translation coverage may be incomplete. There are two ways to use tags:

  • Type a tag and then press the TAB key, then type your search. This method can be automatically completed, similar to the TAB experience under Linux
  • The tag and the search content are separated by a space, such as:标签要搜索的内容

Chinese search

Setting location: Search -> Pinyin Search (requires index rebuilding)

Quanpin and Jianpin are fully supported, but polyphonic characters are not currently supported, so you need to pay attention when using them?‍♂️

1 Quanpin search 1 Jianpin search 1 Chinese search

research all

Set location: File -> content indexed paths (untranslated)

  • Search tags: files content
  • After adding the directory and enabling it, the index needs to be rebuilt
  • For performance reasons, the developer has added a search word limit: no matter what language search words >= 3

1 Search document content

preview

Set Location: Preview

  • Need to install WebView Runtime, or use Quick Look preview
  • Default preview shortcuts:
    • In-window preview Alt
    • Open preview in new window Shift + Enter

1 Folder preview 1 Picture Preview 1 Web page preview, can be operated 1 Markdown file preview, editable and save

Listary core function?

Not as good as Listary, but it works fine.

Ctrl + G

Set location: context, support location, URL

1 context settings page

search in the current directory

Setting Location: In-App Search, Search -> Interact with Focused Results, Support Windows 11 Multi-Tab File Manager

1 In-App Search – Settings 1 Search -> interact with focused result

Loyal to habit

Habits may come from preferences, and everyone has their own preferences. Some people like the keyboard, some prefer the mouse, and some people use a combination of them. How to do it is convenient. Habits may come from combing. A good software must be integrated into personal life and work, and Tasks are a good helper for combing Flow.

Keys, mouse, touchpad

Keyboard related settings location: screen, in-app search, UI, settings -> keyboard navigation, and various shortcut keys

  • For shortcut keys, some people like Ctrl + Ctrl , some people like Alt + Alt , but I like Win to be free from the world

Mouse, touchpad related setting location: Quick Menu

1 Operate by entering letters, and the prompt interface can be customized 1 Quick Menu example, now globally searchable 1 Familiar right-click menu, but also supports drag and drop

Task

Personally think that this function is the advantage of the software. Although there are certain thresholds for use, it also reduces the difficulty of developing plug-ins by yourself. A lot of new features have been added in the latest beta, making it more like a plugin.

Must read before use:

  1. Task entry: search for任务directly, or right-click the tray icon to select a task
  2. Since Fluent Search is developed in C#, the basic syntax is C# syntax (search-oriented programming)
  3. Make good use of TAB auto-completion, and quickly trigger tasks by setting tags
  4. Existing code blocks: C#, PowerShell
  5. Some instructions in the software may be wrong and need to be tested more
  6. Discord is a good communication channel with shared task files

1 rich modules 1 Visual editing 1 Simple RSS reading with task + preview 1 Make your own translation plugin through API 1 Get the latest video submissions of the UP masters of station b that you follow through a special interface 1 Close to the plugin’s settings page 1 B station leaderboard

Recommendations

  • Enable高级设置关键字模式最小化启动自动隐藏清空内容自动清除标签the置顶; Log In to Microsoft Account, Enable Synchronization; Specify窗口位置According to Personal Conditions
  • Turn off the任务栏显示图标
  • Use the Microsoft Yahei UI font
  • If you like early adopters, switch to the beta version
  • Turn off开机启动, and create a new task plan on Windows to start it with administrator privileges when booting, so that the search can be triggered in all interfaces, and remember to uncheck all power-related options.
  • If you have programming foundation, you can try to make simple plug-ins through task flow. Of course, those with strong ability can also directly develop plug-ins (C#)
  • Firefox browser users, please install the Firefox plug-in to facilitate searching bookmarks and records

some tips

  • Some settings can be quickly set by clicking the small light bulb next to it?
  • TAB can automatically complete tags
  • Press Alt + Enter in the search window to open the settings, of course, you can also search for the settings directly
  • The shortcut keys of the software are divided into: in the system and in the software according to the response range, please pay attention to distinguish when setting

End

As an early user of Fluent Search, I witnessed its high-speed development (update) exhibition (new), but found that the software was not widely promoted in China, so I came to try it, temporarily applied for writing permission, and wrote the article. The function coverage is limited, please download and try more functions by yourself. Some examples of tasks used by individuals in the article, if necessary, you can contact by private message. Finally, welcome to join Discord to communicate. This is the first post, please include more if there are any shortcomings.

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