Add COM Components to enable scripting to automate importing from any web browser

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Adding COM components to SuperMemo would enable users to automate importing material from their preferred web browser through user created browser extensions, scripts, etc.

  • Delphi has built-in support for implementing COM features.
  • Implementing COM components would address several issues that users frequently suggest need improvement:
    • Importing from Other Browsers: Currently, only importing from Internet Explorer is automated. Users have been voicing their frustration with this aspect of SuperMemo for a decade: Less_dependent_on_Internet_Explorer. Users want SuperMemo to work with their preferred browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc) instead of being chained to IE. Other web browsers had larger usage usage share than Internet Explorer for years, and usage of IE will continue to plummet now that it is discontinued. COM components would make it much easier and vastly more efficient for users to import material from their preferred web browser. Users could create scripts that work with whichever browser they prefer to use.
      • This is an on-going benefit. No matter what browsers SM supports natively in the future, or if users change their browser preference, scripts/plug-ins can be written to support automated import from any browser.
      • Browser plug-ins/extensions and other scripts could easily duplicate the functionality of most (if not all) of the currently available web import options, such as: Links (only links will be imported), Page of links (one element keeps all links), etc.
    • Custom import filters Customizable_imports_from_the_web: The custom import scripts could process the selected material from particular websites in any way the user wants before importing the material into SuperMemo.


Functions that would need a COM component for Scripts to Automate Importing from Sources other than Internet Explorer

  • Add New Note (Alt+N)
    • or Ctrl+N if the YouTube link detection issue is fixed
  • Add Image Component (enable scripts to paste images to SM that are then localized & stored in an image component)
    • so you would get an element like Article Picture template / web import local pages and local images
  • "Editing References" dialog — Element menu--Reference--Edit (or using SM Commander)
  • "Element Parameters" dialog, to allow script to input:
    • Element title
    • Priority
    • Template
    • Category
    • etc
    • if not the Element Paramaters dialog, at least "Set Title" (Alt+T)
  • Check registries for duplicate titles/URLs


See also

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