Desktop search tools

z · 03-09-2005

Google has just released the full version of its desktop search tool. MSN also made a similar tool and Yahoo! announced that they will be making one.
what I do not understand is why are desktop search tools treated so importantly? especially when OS's already have a "search" function?
I can see how corporate and big firms may need it. but everyday people?

what do you think?

**siren** · 03-09-2005

Desktop search tools index everything on your system so that you can (in theory) search your home computer as fast as you seach millions of internet sites.

In practice, they have a long way to go. While you can search as fast as the internet, you get about the same quality of results as searching the internet. It is faster and more reliable than something like Windows Search, but it is far from being truly useful.

Something like WinFS will be the next big step. Having a SQL database which contains all of your files and sits on top of your file system would allow indexing on a whole new level. Expecially when you add in functionality like relations and linking.

**SessDMC** · 03-09-2005

Google is the best serch engine and i would not try anything else. wow am fan boying over serch engines, i must have come to a new low in my life... i need to get out more

*runs out side*

z · 03-10-2005

I still fail to see that people have THAT much content on their machines to justify a whole dedicated search tool. I have loads of contant but I store them on disks. I have a RW CD and DVD in case I needed to format my PC, I just trnsfere any contant I want to them until I format then store them back. but for other content like programs and anime (which I have a ton of!) I have them backed up on CDs.

don't get me wrong, I think a dedicated search tool is handy. I am saying is why all the commotion?

P.S. yup, Google is the best!!
by the way, I can send you a Gmail invite if you don't already have an account. just PM me with your email

**SessDMC** · 03-10-2005

ive already got one

but back then i had IE 5.1 or something along them lines, now my new PC had IE 6, but im thinking about going to fire fox, or Opera

z · 03-11-2005

go FireFox NOW!!

you will NEVER turn to IE again!

P.S. do you realize that a 3rd of internet users use FireFox? and analysts say that they wil reachh 50% by the end of the year!!

**Orion** · 03-11-2005

Oh ya, Fire Fox is the best, much better then IE, and I strongly recommend it.
It has much better security. It also has some really cool extension and themes.

**siren** · 03-11-2005

Actually, firefox is sitting at about 20%

http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_stats.asp

Though it was growing pretty fast for a while. Will be interesting to see if it continues to grow. It is actually down from it's peak in December.

**SessDMC** · 03-11-2005

Have you got firefox siren or dont you support third party browsers? i would recommend you get fire fox. ive got it on my newly built computer just now. its brilliant. no pop ups and safer security. makes IE 5 and 6 look like goons. (i was going to put something else but goons just stuck in my mind)

z · 03-11-2005

Originally Posted by siren

Actually, firefox is sitting at about 20%

http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_stats.asp

Though it was growing pretty fast for a while. Will be interesting to see if it continues to grow. It is actually down from it's peak in December.

I got the statistics from a local newspaper. in any case, it is doing rather impressively. it seems that no other entry can measure up to its popularity and spread speed. it is a Fire Fox