Merge pull request #1048 from Linerly/patch-1

Improve the about page

2 files changed, 96 insertions, 61 deletions

diff --git a/searx/infopage/en/about.md b/searx/infopage/en/about.md
index 9f323870..48abda68 100644
--- a/searx/infopage/en/about.md
+++ b/searx/infopage/en/about.md
@@ -1,75 +1,75 @@
 # About SearXNG
 
-SearXNG is a fork from the well-known [searx] [metasearch engine], aggregating
-the results of other {{link('search engines', 'preferences')}} while not
-storing information about its users.
+SearXNG is a [metasearch engine], aggregating the results of other
+{{link('search engines', 'preferences')}} while not storing information about
+its users.
 
-More about SearXNG ...
+The SearXNG project is driven by an open community, come join us on
+Matrix if you have questions or just want to chat about SearXNG at [#searxng:matrix.org]
 
-* [SearXNG sources]({{GIT_URL}})
-* [weblate]
+Make SearXNG better.
 
+- You can improve SearXNG translations at [Weblate], or...
+- Track development, send contributions, and report issues at [SearXNG sources].
+- To get further information, visit SearXNG's project documentation at [SearXNG
+  docs].
 
 ## Why use it?
 
-* SearXNG may not offer you as personalised results as Google, but it doesn't
+- SearXNG may not offer you as personalized results as Google, but it doesn't
   generate a profile about you.
-
-* SearXNG doesn't care about what you search for, never shares anything with a
-  third party, and it can't be used to compromise you.
-
-* SearXNG is free software, the code is 100% open and you can help to make it
-  better.  See more on [SearXNG sources]({{GIT_URL}}).
+- SearXNG doesn't care about what you search for, never shares anything with a
+  third-party, and it can't be used to compromise you.
+- SearXNG is free software, the code is 100% open, and everyone is welcome to
+  make it better.
 
 If you do care about privacy, want to be a conscious user, or otherwise believe
 in digital freedom, make SearXNG your default search engine or run it on your
-own server
-
-## Technical details - How does it work?
+own server!
 
-SearXNG is a [metasearch engine], inspired by the [seeks project].  It provides
-basic privacy by mixing your queries with searches on other platforms without
-storing search data. Queries are made using a POST request on every browser
-(except Chromium-based browsers*).  Therefore they show up in neither our logs,
-nor your url history. In the case of Chromium-based browser users there is an
-exception: searx uses the search bar to perform GET requests.  SearXNG can be
-added to your browser's search bar; moreover, it can be set as the default
-search engine.
 
-## How to set as the default search engine?
+## How do I set it as the default search engine?
 
 SearXNG supports [OpenSearch].  For more information on changing your default
 search engine, see your browser's documentation:
 
-* [Firefox]
-* [Microsoft Edge]
-* Chromium-based browsers [only add websites that the user navigates to without
-  a path.](https://www.chromium.org/tab-to-search)
+- [Firefox]
+- [Microsoft Edge] - Behind the link, you will also find some useful instructions
+  for Chrome and Safari.
+- [Chromium]-based browsers only add websites that the user navigates to without
+  a path.
 
-## Where to find anonymous usage statistics of this instance ?
 
-{{link('Stats page', 'stats')}} contains some useful data about the engines
-used.
+## How does it work?
+
+SearXNG is a fork from the well-known [searx] [metasearch engine] which was
+inspired by the [Seeks project].  It provides basic privacy by mixing your
+queries with searches on other platforms without storing search data.  SearXNG
+can be added to your browser's search bar; moreover, it can be set as the
+default search engine.
+
+The {{link('stats page', 'stats')}} contains some useful anonymous usage
+statistics about the engines used.
 
 ## How can I make it my own?
 
 SearXNG appreciates your concern regarding logs, so take the code from the
-[SearXNG project]({{GIT_URL}}) and run it yourself!
+[SearXNG sources] and run it yourself!
 
 Add your instance to this [list of public
 instances]({{get_setting('brand.public_instances')}}) to help other people
-reclaim their privacy and make the Internet freer!  The more decentralized the
-Internet is, the more freedom we have!
-
-## Where are the docs & code of this instance?
+reclaim their privacy and make the internet freer.  The more decentralized the
+internet is, the more freedom we have!
 
-See the [SearXNG docs]({{get_setting('brand.docs_url')}}) and [SearXNG
-sources]({{GIT_URL}})
 
+[SearXNG sources]: {{GIT_URL}}
+[#searxng:matrix.org]: https://matrix.to/#/#searxng:matrix.org
+[SearXNG docs]: {{get_setting('brand.docs_url')}}
 [searx]: https://github.com/searx/searx
 [metasearch engine]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metasearch_engine
-[weblate]: https://weblate.bubu1.eu/projects/searxng/
-[seeks project]: https://beniz.github.io/seeks/
+[Weblate]: https://weblate.bubu1.eu/projects/searxng/
+[Seeks project]: https://beniz.github.io/seeks/
 [OpenSearch]: https://github.com/dewitt/opensearch/blob/master/opensearch-1-1-draft-6.md
 [Firefox]: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/add-or-remove-search-engine-firefox
 [Microsoft Edge]: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4028574/microsoft-edge-change-the-default-search-engine
+[Chromium]: https://www.chromium.org/tab-to-search
diff --git a/searx/infopage/en/search-syntax.md b/searx/infopage/en/search-syntax.md
index ae820dfb..3cee88ff 100644
--- a/searx/infopage/en/search-syntax.md
+++ b/searx/infopage/en/search-syntax.md
@@ -1,35 +1,70 @@
 # Search syntax
 
-SearXNG allows you to modify the default categories, engines and search language
-via the search query.
+SearXNG comes with a search syntax by with you can modify the categories,
+engines, languages and more.  See the {{link('preferences', 'preferences')}} for
+the list of engines, categories and languages.
 
-Prefix `!` to set category and engine names.
+## `!` select engine and category
 
-Prefix: `:` to set the language.
+To set category and/or engine names use a `!` prefix.  To give a few examples:
 
-Abbrevations of the engines and languages are also accepted.  Engine/category
-modifiers are chainable and inclusive.  E.g. with {{search('!map !ddg !wp paris')}}
-search in map category **and** duckduckgo **and** wikipedia for
-`paris`.
+- search in wikipedia for **paris**
 
-See the {{link('preferences', 'preferences')}} for the list of engines,
-categories and languages.
+  - {{search('!wp paris')}}
+  - {{search('!wikipedia paris')}}
 
-## Examples
+- search in category **map** for **paris**
 
-Search in wikipedia for `paris`:
+  - {{search('!map paris')}}
 
-* {{search('!wp paris')}}
-* {{search('!wikipedia paris')}}
+- image search
 
-Search in category `map` for `paris`:
+  - {{search('!images Wau Holland')}}
 
-* {{search('!map paris')}}
+Abbreviations of the engines and languages are also accepted.  Engine/category
+modifiers are chain able and inclusive.  E.g. with {{search('!map !ddg !wp
+paris')}} search in map category and duckduckgo and wikipedia for **paris**.
 
-Image search:
+## `:` select language
 
-* {{search('!images Wau Holland')}}
+To select language filter use a `:` prefix.  To give an example:
 
-Custom language in wikipedia:
+- search wikipedia by a custom language
 
-* {{search(':fr !wp Wau Holland')}}
+  - {{search(':fr !wp Wau Holland')}}
+
+## `!!` external bangs
+
+SearXNG supports the external bangs from [ddg].  To directly jump to a external
+search page use the `!!` prefix.  To give an example:
+
+- search wikipedia by a custom language
+
+  - {{search('!!wfr Wau Holland')}}
+
+Please note, your search will be performed directly in the external search
+engine, SearXNG cannot protect your privacy on this.
+
+[ddg]: https://duckduckgo.com/bang
+
+## Special Queries
+
+In the {{link('preferences', 'preferences')}} page you find keywords for
+_special queries_.  To give a few examples:
+
+- generate a random UUID
+
+  - {{search('random uuid')}}
+
+- find the average
+
+  - {{search('avg 123 548 2.04 24.2')}}
+
+- show _user agent_ of your browser (needs to be activated)
+
+  - {{search('user-agent')}}
+
+- convert strings to different hash digests (needs to be activated)
+
+  - {{search('md5 lorem ipsum')}}
+  - {{search('sha512 lorem ipsum')}}