Google Desktop Search - really worth a look!

Question

A quick search on the forums didn't produce any posts on this item so, in case any of you missed it, Google have released the new, free  Google Desktop Search which utilises the Google search engine to perform very fast searches of your local computer. At the moment, its main finds are email items, Word, Excel and PowerPoint and text files. It's supposed to search your C: drive only but had no trouble finding documents on my E: drive which is configured as 'My Documents' on my PC.   I've downloaded and run the utility and I'm extremely impressed - it's very fast. The conspiracy theorists and privacy freaks among you are going to have a field day but it really is worth a look.   I also came across this free Outlook bolt-on, Lookout V1.2,  from Microsoft while I was researching - it performs lightening-fast searches on all Outlook (not Outlook Express) items. I'm impressed with this as well - must be losing some of my cynicism!

Dr. Lawrence Ho · Answer

Lain, have you run a spyware scan of this program?  Is this search of private files done on a secure site?  Since Google uses its online search engine for this service, there may be serious security issues not only from Google which may choose to use private information in some manner as pay-back for its' free service, but from anyone monitoring the web page.  Would it be possible for an intrusion into a computer without consent?  A search utility that is installed on a harddrive would be far more secure.

scoobydooby · Answer

What's the difference between the Google desktop search, and the search you can do off the start button?

gudgeon · Answer

It's a local search, not web based - seems pretty secure to me. No spyware problems that I can see - none of my antispyware programs find anything to get excited about. Read all about it, read the reviews at ZD Net  & elsewhere, & then make your own judgement but I'm certainly happy to try it further.

gudgeon · Answer

Scoobydooby

It's much, much quicker & it also will, if you allow it, search cached web pages. Try it - it's quick to install, takes some time to do an initial search your PC. I think it's the way to go.

gudgeon · Answer

JRosenfeld

Yes, I agree that the Windows search feature is much maligned - I have used it to good effect many times. However, I'm going to run with this Google Desktop Search for a while as it seems to offer some additinal features. It might be another useful tool in the armoury when trying to find that elusive file.

JRosenfeld · Answer

I use Lookout in MS Outlook. It's very good, the only downside is that Outlook is a little slower to open fully when lookout refreshes its database (depends on how many emails you have; my .pst file is 70MB).   As for the Windows search the reason many people dislike it and think it is slow is because they don't know how to use the indexing service properly, and this is not well documented. Used properly with the indexing query language it can be very fast for many types of searches, especially file names, file types. Read about it: Right click My computer, click manage, in the management console, help, help topics indexing service; especially the section on indexing query language. Also try, in management console, indexing service, query index; that's very fast (essentially instantaneous) for text content (search for word or phrase). (assuming you have indexing service on and that it has catalogued the drive). It is not perfect by any means, but not as useless as many purport it to be either.

scoobydooby · Answer

I actually don't find the windows search function to be slow.

So It is still not clear to me what the advantages of the Google Desktop Search are.

If it is only to search cached web pages - which I don't think I need - I think I'll wait till people have more experience with it.

Message Edited by scoobydooby on 10-18-2004 01:57 AM

gudgeon · Answer

Scoobydooby   Windows search function is reasonably fast, Google is pretty well instantaneous - but I've no axe to grind, I was merely giving a 'Heads Up' to forum members so that they could see if it was something they might want to use. Previously, I've tried one or two other pieces of software that purported to offer this kind of functionality but the performance hits were too great - I don't notice any such problem here.

msil217 · Answer

I've read it is a process that runs in the system tray. Not sure if I need it bad enough to use more CPU and memory.

Mary G · Answer

I found problems with Google desktop search. Within hours it caused the first cpu overload I've ever had on this 2 yr old computer--4500 with 512 ram. I uninstalled it. Google asked why and I told them. Note that this software is still in beta.

gudgeon · Answer

MaryG

I've seen one or two other reports of CPU overload but there's no sign of this on my 4550. If I run into any problems at all I will be sure to post

msil217

It does indeed run in the system tray but I have noticed no performance hit as yet. Will report any problems.

jinxed · Answer

Hi, I was kind of excited about this new tool also when I first heard about it...that is until I read this http://community.centurytel.net/index.cfm?action=news.article&id=wed/bm/Ayb58806613.Rahp_ESI.html   .....glad I didn't download it. Maybe it's worth waiting to download after it's been tested a bit. Just thought I'd let other users know.   JD

gudgeon · Answer

Pretty well all of what's available to Google Desktop Search is accessible by other means - everybody should be aware that using public machines for private correspondence carries a big risk of their data being available to others.

scoobydooby · Answer

I use public computers at work to send email.  I have to be careful now to check the Google Desktop is not installed - otherwise others will be able to read my email.

quetzil · Answer

GDS's cache effectively bypasses the password protection on Office files. Even in a domestic situation there is information that needs to be restricted. The small risk of PC theft is always there as well.

Can Office passwords be bypassed anyway [if you are a techie and know where to look] or is GDS adding a new layer of vulnerability?

Windows General

Google Desktop Search - really worth a look!

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