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Google Adds Features and Plugin to Desktop Search

Posted by timothy on from the those-guys-are-everywhere dept.

Matthew Bischoff writes "Today Google added new features to its popular desktop software. Google Desktop now supports alternative Netscape based browsers like Firefox, PDFs, images, video, and music files. Google also added a plug-ins feature so that developers can integrate their software into the Google Desktop catalog. Another new addition is a supported way to search from Google's deskbar software. It's probably a matter of time until we see desktop search integrated into all of the Google products including the controversial Google Toolbar 3." Google Desktop is also officially now out of beta.

2 of 274 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Controversial Toolbar? by northcat · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It's controversial because some idiots can't tell the difference between an enabled-by-default feature on the default browser on a monopoly OS and a disabled-by-default feature on an optional additional program.

  2. Re:google: the next Msft? by That's+Unpossible! · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Why am I supposed to like them, exactly?

    You're not supposed to. However, I can tell you why other people like Google: because they make cool shit that's easy to use and useful as hell.

    Frankly I prefer the honesty of a spam

    Awww shit... looks like I'm feeding a troll here.

    I'm not sure what Google is trying to do.

    Make money?

    GMail, no thanks. I DO NOT WANT CONTEXT-RELATED ADS EMBEDDED INTO MY EMAIL.

    Embedded? Nope, they appear on the right side of the screen, similar to other free-mail service banner ads. So either you haven't used it, or you don't like the idea that their algorithm might actually find something you'd like to buy based on your email. I mean, I can't see how someone who understands how the technology works would be afraid of using it.

    Desktop Search, no thanks: I DO NOT WANT CONTEXT-RELATED ADS EMBEDDED INTO MY DESKTOP.

    Embedded in your desktop? I installed Google Desktop just now. It shows an icon in the bar near the time. No ads on my desktop. Perhaps you meant the desktop SEARCH RESULTS? Nope, none there, either. Sure, they may add some someday, but it doesn't bother me.

    Then again, I don't expect to get everything cool for free. Yet Google surprises me most of the time on that front.

    My desktop is not for sale as advertising space. If it were, then the revenue generated from it should be MINE, not Googles.

    In other words, the services Google provides are worth nothing to you. That is fine, you don't have to use Google. However, I find it strange that someone would be pissed off that a commercial company might offer services in exchange for advertising revenue.

    Have you been living on Earth long?

    --
    Ironically, the word ironically is often used incorrectly.