Google Desktop Search vs Vista Search
There is a side to this story I haven’t seen much about, and that is “why can’t microsoft lock down their own search”?
The way I see it is that search really is an integral part of the operating system, in the same way that file management (like being able to save a document) is part of the file system. By saving a file on my computer I am using the functionality of the OS to manage the location and indexing of the file on the disk. Similarly when I go to open that file the OS allows me to find it by navigating, or by searching for it. So why should Google even have the right to ask for this to be optional or reconfigured to use their own search tool.
I think part of this might relate to the fact that the Vista search functionality is good! It far exceeds what Google have to offer in this arena and granted, Microsoft’s search in the past has been less than average and at that time if you wanted good search you went to something like Google desktop search or LookOut. Now that Microsoft DOES have a good search function, Google are potentially loosing market share in this area.
I must admit, i love the new Vista search. Fast, easy, really quite powerful. I especially like the ability to filter to email and then by send or ‘has attachment’.