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Penn State Search Engine - Custom Search Results Style

The Penn State Search Engine is a Google Search Appliance (GSA), which has the capabilities of customizing search results to match a particular site. Penn State Webmasters/Web content editors may utilize the features of the search engine while invoking the search engine from their site to alter the format of search results to match their sites.

Options for Customizing Search Results Style

  1. Using XML search results in your own search application

    You may request XML formatted search results by your own web application. Directions are on the Instructions for Web Content Providers page.

    This allows you to customize search results directly on the search engine and without the need for your own application.

  2. The custom FrontEnd hosted on the search appliance option

    In the 4.x series version of the GSA, which Penn State currently uses, each style is called a "FrontEnd" and Penn State Webmasters and Web Content Providers may request a FrontEnd for their sites. Below are the options for creating and maintaining the FrontEnd style settings.

    • Request a new FrontEnd: You may request a new FrontEnd by sending an email to search@psu.edu listing the following:

      1. Desired name of the FrontEnd; typically this is a short, one-word description; e.g. "ASET".
      2. Name(s), email address(es), and Penn State Access Account userid(s) of the contact(s) who will be responsible for the FrontEnd.
      3. Short description and URL of the site in which the FrontEnd is to be used. (e.g. "Penn State University Relations, http://www.psu.edu/ur/").

    • You may edit stylesheets for your FrontEnd via the . This tool requires authentication with your Penn State Access Account.

    • You may request the removal of a FrontEnd, or ask to change ownership or management of a FrontEnd by sending a request to search@psu.edu.

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This site maintained by Academic Services and Emerging Technologies, a unit of Information Technology Services.

Comments and suggestions may be directed to The Penn State Search Engine Support Team.

Last revised: Thursday, May 3, 2007.