making Firefox "speak" English

[Chris]

When I am in France using Google to search in Firefox I used to find that the search engine always gave the results in French. I eventually got over this by editing a file called google.xml which is in a Firefox subdirectory called 'searchplugins', by changing all instances in the file of http://www.google.com to http://www.google.co.uk. I have done that with the latest version of Firefox but it persists in accessing the French version of Google. Presumably if I took my laptop to Greece, it would access the Greek version of Google and give its output in Greek.

Editing the file google.xml has never failed before and I am wondering if there is a Firefox/Google expert who could suggest why editing the file doesn't work anymore. I know I could type google.co.uk into the address bar but that is not the point. I want to type whatever I am searching for into the box at the top right hand part of the screen

[Fusion]

Google Web Search is customized for a number of countries and regions across the world. For example, Google.fr provides search results that are most relevant for users in France; Google.co.jp is the Google domain for Japan. Google will try to direct users to the site that will give them the most relevant results.
It uses your current IP address.

However, you can go in Tools -> Options -> Main -> Change the Home Page to 'http://www.google.fr'. You now should open with French Google when you open your browser.

Alternatively, if you don't want to change your home Page, I would suggest to type in Google.co.uk -> Search or Enter. Open the first result, then save that page as a Bookmark.

[Chris]

Many thanks, fusion. I will do your alternative suggestion

[Fusion]

You're welcome. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Fusion]

Chris

Just to offer a similar solution, but an easier way to access the UK version of Google:

Again, type in Google.co.uk -> Search/Enter. Open the first result, then save that page as a Bookmark.
Now drag that saved Google UK Bookmark onto your desktop, then into the Quick Launch toolbar.

Personally, I have all my Browser 'shortcuts' in the Quick Launch and if 2 happen to be the same browser, but with a different 'pages', I change the icon to one which is appropriate to the browser or page.

[sightpress]

I had the same issue, thanx for the info.

[Fusion]

You're welcome.

Pleased to have helped.