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Google Desktop Now on Linux

Posted by samzenpus on from the yes-it-does-run-linux dept.

mytrip writes "Google was set to launch late on Wednesday a beta version of Google Desktop search for Linux in a sign of encouragement by the search giant for Linux on the desktop. Google Desktop allows people to search the Web while also searching the full text of all the information on their computer, including Gmail and their Web search history. Because the index is stored locally on the computer, users can access Gmail and Web history while offline."

3 of 293 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Spousal Abuse by EveryNickIsTaken · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    yet Google would still not allow them to try their products until everyone else had. No, that's not a correct analogy, as Google does not have to produce and sell any product just because *you* say so. A better analogy would someone getting pissed because they can't get a Ferarri engine put in their VW bug.
  2. Re:Spousal Abuse by EveryNickIsTaken · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Desktop searches are designed for the non-techies. Non-techies typically use Windows. 'Nuff said. Look, I know everyone here has hard-ons for Linux here, but please use some common sense.

  3. Re:Spousal Abuse by value_added · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Google is a publicly held company, not a soup kitchen.

    So Google's efforts to develop their app is somehow akin to charity? If you're trying to make that argument, you've not done so because it amounts to nothing more than saying a vendor who ignores a subset of their market (non-Windows users) is meeting their fiduciary responsibilities by dismissing it outright. That was said about Firefox users not so long ago and it was proved both wrong and embarrassing.

    The OP, on the other hand, articulated clearly what I think is perfectly valid series of observations. None of them is in conflict with making a buck, or whiney as one poster trollishly suggested. Moreover, I think the OP's comments fit well to varying degrees with not only with Google's mission statement, but also their position in a market under constant threat of monopoly power and abuse.

    If there's any soup kitchen element to Google behaviour, it's their continuing efforts in offering non-money making betas to the public, or expending efforts and money in an attempt to distinguish themselves in ways that no Fortune 500 company would ever consider.