Bookmarklets are simple one-line scripts, implemented as ordinary bookmarks. You can use bookmarklets to add macros and additional features to your browser, whether it's Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer. Bookmarklets are cool because:

• They work on all platforms (Windows, Macintosh, Unix)
• They are supported by all browsers (Navigator and Internet Explorer)
• They are extremely simple and easy to write
• There is no need to write cross-browser code
• They can be executed on any page

Bookmarklets aren't new to the JavaScript community. In fact, they can be used in older JavaScript-enabled browsers. However, this topic was never covered in depth. It was pointed out to us by Steve Kangas, author of bookmarklets.com. Visit the site for a wide selection of free bookmarklets.

In this column you'll learn:

• How to utilize the javascript: protocol
• How to create a bookmarklet
• How to build bookmarklets with our handy Bookmarklet Builder
• How to combine bookmarklets with frames
• How to create search engine bookmarklets
• How to create our own special bookmarklets