Google does Desktop Search!
Google has released (in beta) its new desktop search tool. I have tried it and can say that it is really fast and makes it easy to find things on your computer! Download it and try it for free! You can customize it (up to a point) to add file types and control the folders that are searched (or not). This can be important if you are sharing a computer with someone and have things on your machine that you don't want popping up at inopportune moments!
There are a several other desktop search applications around and I have tried a couple of them. A problem that I had with the Google tool is due to how I operate on my configuration. I work from my laptop, but store all my files on my desktop system, which I link to over a wireless network. This makes it easier for me to set up automated backup of all my files over the Internet. Works fine unless I need files on my laptop when I am away from home! In that case, I have to have made other arrangements.
In any event, the files that I want to search from my desktop (laptop) are on another computer that I have mapped my laptop to, but Google does not allow me to set up search indexes of those files. This is an enhancement that they will probably add in the future, but that is of no help to me now.
GuruNet is a great application that I have used for years as a dictionary and general reference tool. They now offer desktop search, too (also beta!). Unfortunately, like Google, I can't get to my other system. Except for that, it, too, is a great tool: fast, easy, convenient, etc.
The third application I have tried finally gave me the capability I want. Copernic is a general purpose search tool that I have had for years, since before Google became dominant in the field. It searches multiple sources like a metacrawler, and has a great interface for serious searchers with all kinds of added features useful to researchers. They now offer desktop search. I now have it installed on my system (laptop, my primary working system) and consider it a great improvement.
These tools all work pretty much the same way. They index all the files in the folders you have specified for searching and refer to that index when you are looking for something. Pretty standard approach. They offer the ability to specify how often the indexes are updated, and allow you to initiate them manually. Copernic refreshes the indexes whenever your computer is idle! The indexes can get pretty large, but with the price of hard drives nowadays, this should not be a problem unless you are under-configured! Google is integrated with your browser, while the others are not. What this means is that any search you do using Google will also bring up a couple of items from your desktop for you to consider.
We have been hearing for some time now that Microsoft will be integrating desktop search into its new operating system whenever it is released, but who knows when that will be. Now you know of several alternatives that will give you the capability right now, for free!
There are a several other desktop search applications around and I have tried a couple of them. A problem that I had with the Google tool is due to how I operate on my configuration. I work from my laptop, but store all my files on my desktop system, which I link to over a wireless network. This makes it easier for me to set up automated backup of all my files over the Internet. Works fine unless I need files on my laptop when I am away from home! In that case, I have to have made other arrangements.
In any event, the files that I want to search from my desktop (laptop) are on another computer that I have mapped my laptop to, but Google does not allow me to set up search indexes of those files. This is an enhancement that they will probably add in the future, but that is of no help to me now.
GuruNet is a great application that I have used for years as a dictionary and general reference tool. They now offer desktop search, too (also beta!). Unfortunately, like Google, I can't get to my other system. Except for that, it, too, is a great tool: fast, easy, convenient, etc.
The third application I have tried finally gave me the capability I want. Copernic is a general purpose search tool that I have had for years, since before Google became dominant in the field. It searches multiple sources like a metacrawler, and has a great interface for serious searchers with all kinds of added features useful to researchers. They now offer desktop search. I now have it installed on my system (laptop, my primary working system) and consider it a great improvement.
These tools all work pretty much the same way. They index all the files in the folders you have specified for searching and refer to that index when you are looking for something. Pretty standard approach. They offer the ability to specify how often the indexes are updated, and allow you to initiate them manually. Copernic refreshes the indexes whenever your computer is idle! The indexes can get pretty large, but with the price of hard drives nowadays, this should not be a problem unless you are under-configured! Google is integrated with your browser, while the others are not. What this means is that any search you do using Google will also bring up a couple of items from your desktop for you to consider.
We have been hearing for some time now that Microsoft will be integrating desktop search into its new operating system whenever it is released, but who knows when that will be. Now you know of several alternatives that will give you the capability right now, for free!
posted by RGMyers at 1:00 PM
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