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Google Launches Desktop Search Tool

Posted by michael on from the finding-it-with-both-hands-and-a-flashlight dept.

hanky writes "Google brings search to your very desktop with Google Desktop, a mini Google index of your own. Search your filesystem, Outlook or Outlook Express inbox, AIM instant message transcripts, and Internet Explorer cache. There's a full introduction to the Google Desktop over at the O'Reilly Network. It's Windows-only, but still cool enough for this Mac guy to find it intriguing."

4 of 715 comments (clear)

  1. The horns of a dilemma... by Control+Group · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Oh, the indecision!

    Being able to google my machine would be the best thing this side of perpetual motion.

    Having to start doing everything with AIM, IE, Outlook and MS-Office would be the worst thing this side of the universal solvent.

    Why, oh why, did they have to specifically aim this at all the apps I don't use?

    --

    Reality has a conservative bias: it conserves mass, energy, momentum...
    1. Re:The horns of a dilemma... by DigitumDei · · Score: 5, Interesting

      You know, now 90% of my mail is done through GMail. All my searching on the internet is done through Google. Now all my searching my PC will be done by Google.

      They might as well just write a bloody all-in-one operating system and get it over with. :P

      Seriously, I'd love to see them make a linux distro. Maybe it'd suck, but with their track record I'm betting it wouldn't.

      --
      East Coast Brewers
    2. Re:The horns of a dilemma... by tanguyr · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Overall, i'd have to give it a 9 out of a possible 10, and i'm in much the same case as you are (all the good stuff not on C:\, incompatible browser software, etc.). The reason i'm giving it such a high score is that this software targets the "average" user and does a completely brilliant job of it. A 400k download followed by (this is the kicker) a question-free installation and it "just works". Software a son could love, but a mother could install.

      The inmates have been evicted, someone else is running this asylum.

      --
      #!/usr/bin/english
  2. Google operating system - the next MS ?? by Alwin+Henseler · · Score: 5, Interesting
    First Google was cool and independent. Now with e-mail account, "G" searchbox included in your favourite browser, maybe a browser of their own, instant messaging, shareholders onboard, and... a desktop?

    What's next? The Google operating system? Are we looking at the beginnings of a next-generation Microsoft-like empire?