Google Desktop is a marvelous application to convert your desktop into a search tool. This post present a brief Google Desktop review covering the salient features of the application, as well as its pros and cons.
Overview of Google Desktop
The Google desktop is very simple to understand and it works on your hard disc exactly the same way as the Google servers work on the web. The results of your search are displayed very much similar to the web page format used in the Google website.
The search engine is especially useful for people who have to manage large numbers of contacts or emails as the entire stuff can be put together and handled from a single place.
Google Desktop Gadgets
The sidebar of the Google desktop keeps notifying the status of mails, photos, weather and feeds on a regular basis. Indexing during the initial stage may progress slowly, especially if there are large quantities of contacts, mails and documents to be parsed; however, the ability to search any document by just entering the name in the text box makes your work of searching much easier.
There is a text box right next to the Quick Launch bar for the purpose. The basic gadget content is common which includes a music player, file shredder, stock tickers, etc. Other gadgets can also be integrated on to the Desktop sidebar in addition to the already existing notepad and to-do-list. The integration of the gadgets to the sidebar can be done by just dragging and dropping your favorite gadgets from the control panel.
Exceptional Aspects of Google Desktop Version 5.9.911.3589
• This new version of Google Desktop is compatible with Windows Vista and has the ability to override the Vista sidebar.
• Cross-indexing is possible with multiple machines and panel items can be shared with friends.
• The preview window for the search results is the highlight of this new version. This helps in saving time by eradicating the need to click, open and close each result.
There may be many other applications that provide easier and faster indexing, but none of these applications are designed with the efficiency and excellent features as those seen on the Google Desktop.
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August 3, 2010 at 8:41 am
I was not that satisfied with the search results in outlook! I think if you basically search for mails, attachments etc. in outlook it is better to use a search tool especially for Outlook! If you only need a desktop search, GDS is ok!
At the moment I try a tool called Lookeen( found it here: http://www.lookeen.net), outlook and desktop search, seems quite nice, the results in outlook are amazing, now I have to try if the desktop search has the same quality!