Browser toolbar (like yahoo toolbar) VB EXP 05
 

In VB express 2005, I have built a "search bar" for a website that I am working on.

However,
currently, the user has to go to the start menu to enable it, however, I would like to create an option for the user to be able to anstall it similar to how google, and yahoo toolbars are (attached to the browser)

1.) Is this possible to do with VB Express 2005?
2.) if so, how do I get started.
3.) If not, what language should I use then to get this effect?
4.) are there any extra bits of information that I need to know about specific browsers? and where can I find that information?

Here is what I have done so far, and where it is going.

I have built a basic PHP search engine, for 3d modeling tutorials (still currently somewhat under construction).
I have built the desktop program, but, since, my server does not allow me to use 3rd party clients to query the MySQL database, I am just passing the search string through the URL

From here, what needs to happen is the user types in the search criteria in the browser toolbar, and once they hit search, it would take them to the search results page directly on the website.

The reason we (the community) want this is so that, as new information is uploaded, it can also appear in the search bar, almost in real time (well not really in real time, but close to it, I may end up trying to use an RSS feed, if I ever figure out how they work.... LOL)

Anyway, any thoughts on this?
No need to spend a lot of time explaining, if you have a resource to point me to.

Also, a friend of mine has a book on BHO with VB 5. Is vb 5 information going to work the same with my version of vb?

Thanks in advance.
Sage

I actually want to change this question up a little bit.
The reason why I downloaded vb express, is because, I was unaware that the company I work with had vb 6 enterprise.

Speaking with a coworker with this question, who also has no idea as to how to do what I am asking.

Terminology? Would one call this a BHO (browser helper object)? Or is there another name for it?

I have been googling BHO, toolbar, browser toolbar and everything I can think of, and of course, attaching "visual basic" to it, but, I am getting nothing for this.

Any thoughts on getting this to work would be great, even if it means I need to start my project over, because, after all, it just send information via http, so, it's not that hard of a program except for turning it into the toolbar.
Thanks
Sage

VB Express 2005 is a lot more recent and up-to-date than VB 6. I recommend going with it. VB 6 doesn't use .NET - it uses a different API which is nowhere near as good.

Microsoft's official "guide" to creating IE extensions is at http://msdn.microsoft.com//workshop/...extensions.asp... though I'm not sure it applies to IE 7. I couldn't find any info on coding an IE extension in .NET.

Ooble,
THANKS.
That is a helpful link and is bookmarked.

I know that these toolbars can be used in IE7. I found a program that builds them for you with no coding (and it works for 7) but, it has many limitations to what you can do with it.

Thanks for the Link Ooble. It's good information.
Sage