I was able to get through that darn acer-search-desktop file and can now use the search bar with google on ff3.
attached is the semi revised acer-search-desktop file. just make sure you follow these steps as i cannot guarantee that it will work on your setup since i havent fully configured/tested the file yet (need to sleep..

). it's for en_US only at the moment but you can try it for yourself. (use at your own risk)
ROOT only.
1. install firefox3 (firefox3.real) search through this forum on how to get one.. sorry. i forgot where i got it.
2. go to /usr/bin/
3. rename the firefox(acer version) to firefox2(or whatever name).
4. rename the firefox3.real to firefox (kind of making it default)
5. edit the firefox with the content on the firefox file i've attached(it's a text file). you can overwrite it though check if the directories in the file are correct.
6. save.
7. still on the /usr/bin/ folder, copy and paste the acer-search-desktop file from here. MAKE A BACKUP OF YOUR OLD ONE JUST IN CASE.

8. reboot, (or killall then refresh the x window)
9. you'll know it's working when you see the google! name at the top.
i've also attached the out-of-the-box start-search_bar.sh from /usr/share/search-bar (for people who had mistakes like me.

)
[attachment=1:uyrtr2lm]Screenshot-small.jpg[/attachment:uyrtr2lm]
[attachment=0:uyrtr2lm]set-acer-search-panagsagan.zip[/attachment:uyrtr2lm]