Google Calculator, Take 2

[mattk37]

Hey everyone!  It's still pretty quiet around here, but I was bored and decided to find another script for implementing the Google Calculator features into Dash.  If you don't know, GCalc uses math terms as well as the human language to determine answers, such as "2 plus 2" instead of "2+2".  It also does conversions of units (including money) and a whole bunch of stuff!  I know that Dash recently integrated an inline calc, but I still like GCalc.

I created a self-extracting installer, so you don't need to do anything.
Important info for those who are running Windows XP or Below: Before running installer, follow instructions here:
http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/add-localappdata-environment-variable-in-windows-xp/
If a message pops up saying that Dash is already running, just quit dash and restart it again. (Your computer is too fast!)

Enjoy 
-Matt

Hit the link to download [No Viruses]:
http://www.box.net/shared/bv5fjnad3h

[aidan_cage]

cool. so how do I use it?  I think I installed it, but I don't know how to call it up

[mattk37]

just call dash and type gcalc, tab, and your entry such as unit conversions or other math

[aidan_cage]

when I do that my browser opens a new tab and takes me to google calc.  Is that what is supposed to happen?

[mattk37]

you probably invoked the built in "google calc" command.  there should be a new command called "gcalc"

also check whether it installed correctly (make sure there is a "gcalc" folder in plugins and a "gcalc.kw" in keywords)

If you are on xp or below, make sure you followed my instructions on the variables

[aidan_cage]

hmmm
I may have followed those instructions AFTER I ran the installer...

[mattk37]

Yes, basically it is so that the installer finds the dash data path.  You could just click browse and go to the correct dash data folder, but some people may not know where that is.  The reason is because the installer uses a variable (%LOCALAPPDATA%) that points to your application data folder in Vista and Windows 7.  XP and below does not have this variable, so it would point to the wrong folder.  This is why you need to create the variable instead, before you install.  Hope this helps :]

[aidan_cage]

got it working.  had a hard time getting it to understand some terms, but I think I was being pretty loose with them.  I like that it doesn't open a new webpage, I never found it bothered me that it did.  Nice plugin!

[dani]

mattk37 lots of credit to you for still investing time in Dash. I'm on my quarterly tour to the Dash forums and the only highlight seems to be your effort in producing skins etc.

Anyway; once more I can conclude Dash is one breath away from dropping dead. I'd also be nice if the Dash team could finally just admit that nothing will happen and invest their time in something else this is getting annoying It's like that Iraqi Secretary of Information, remember him? "We are not under attack, we are destroying the Americans!" while in the background you saw tanks entering the city. Hilarious.