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Microsoft's Upcoming Desktop Search Tool

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the we-can-do-it-too dept.

Back in July, Microsoft purchased a company called Lookout who made a tool that allowed users of Outlook 2000+ to search through their email at greater speed and accuracy to the standard Outlook search tool. Since Microsoft acquired Lookout, the MSN team have been steadily working on Desktop Search and web search technologies. Google announced their own Desktop Search technology recently; the tool is fast but is limited in capabilities.The MSN Toolbar Suite integrates directly throughout the OS and varies according to where you're searching from. For example, if you're searching from within Windows Explorer you will search on your PC, in IE on the web and in Outlook the toolbar searches within Outlook. The bottom line : like the new online search, Microsoft have made a very good effort to get back in the game.

3 of 293 comments (clear)

  1. Spotlight anyone? by mr100percent · · Score: 4, Informative
    Sounds like Apple's Spotlight technology. (Developer article here) Funny, at the Macworld when it was announced, one of Apple's banners at the expo read "Redmond, start your photocopiers."

  2. Re:The Bottom Line by djdavetrouble · · Score: 4, Informative

    By buying a company. How like them.
    Um most big corporations expand through acquisition. Apple did it too, see itunes, logic audio, shake.

    --
    music lover since 1969
  3. Useful MSFT things Re:Spotlight anyone? by kendor · · Score: 5, Informative
    C'mon, you probably can't think of anything "cool" because you don't want to. I'll bite:
    1. ASP 3.0 and the resulting aftermarket of extensions
    2. SQLXML extensions for SQL Server beat all the major players with rich DB/XML interactions.
    3. SQL Server is a very nice tool, especially the UI on things like its Query Builder, which IMHO is a work of genius. It supports the needs of expert users while simultanously training newbie developers.
    4. ADO/ADO.NET is awesome: unifies structured data storage forms, supports persistant and disconnected data
    5. Visual Studio / the free "Visual Web Express" or whatever it's called (have you tried it?)
    6. ASP.NET
    7. Mappoint as a subscribable web service, unique biz model
    8. "Streets and Trips" standalone routefinding/GPS utlility
    9. Xbox is very cool, modded or not. Amped/Amped2 games are unique.
    10. PocketPC is very useful.
    11. Latest implementation of Remote Desktop (ships with XP) is insanely great. Access local devices like disks and printers from remote sessions, or vice versa. I did usable remote desktop session from Instanbul - USA over 28.8k modem. That's pretty cool.

    Give credit where credit is due.