SMJ Solutions

Google Your Computer

August 26th, 2005

Google released a new tool this week called Google Desktop. I have a co-worker who raved about the previous version, so I decided to give the updated version a try. This totally free application allows you to search the files on your computer instantly.

If you’ve ever tried to use the search feature built into Windows, you know how useless it is. It’s extremely slow and can’t search inside many documents, let alone emails. Google Desktop is Apple’s Spotlight for Windows. It’s lightning fast and includes just about every type of searchable file your computer can store.

I am particularly impressed with the little Outlook plugin that allows me to quickly Google all of my emails. I had to use the help feature to find out how to search by the To, From, and Subject fields, but it’s a skill easily enough mastered. It’s a much better option than using the Outlook find operation.

This new version of Google Desktop comes a sidebar feature which is (I think) a secondary add-on to the search functionality. I don’t even use the sidebar, but my guess is many users will like it. The sidebar is a jack-of-all-trades application; it has email previews, web feeds, photo slide shows, a scratch pad, weather, etc. Basically everything you need to stay distracted and get no actual work done while you’re at your computer.

So, in summary, Google Desktop is a worthy choice because it’s free, fast, and functional. If you spend any significant time looking for old files or emails this tool is a must. If you’re prone to distraction, avoid the sidebar, but you gotta love the search.

Entry Filed under: Software

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