J&P Group > J&P InfoSol > Applications > Desktop Search

Desktop Search

 

Introduction <top>

So far primary focus is for Mac. Created 2009-09-05, last updated 2010-01-14 (adding Find Any File).

http://www.google.com/mac/

Mac Desktop Search Alternatives <top>

Google Desktop and Google Quick Search Box are also part of Must Haves in our Mac section.

	Spotlight	Google Desktop	Google Quick Search Box (QSB)	Find Any File	Notes
Manufacturer	Apple	Google	Google	Thomas Tempelmann
First release	Apr 2005 (OS X 10.4)	Oct 2004 (Win) Apr 2007 (Mac)	Jan 2009 (Mac, preview)	2008-12-26
Operating systems	Mac-only	Mac & Win	Mac 10.5 or 10.6 (Win1)	Mac-only	1) Via Google Toolbar (per Sep 2009-09-05)
Mac OS X 10.6	Yes	No1	Yes	Yes	1) Still not 2010-01-14 (v1.7.0.1877) (Not per 2009-09-05)
Install	part of OS X	separate download	separate download	separate download
Background/ Foreground	Background (hidden)	?Background (hidden)?	Normal application (visible)	Normal application (visible)	Nicer with background application that isn't always 'in-the-way' when changing between applications but only brough forward by some short-cut keyboard combination.
How access	Cmd+Alt+F1	Cmd Cmd2	Cmd Cmd2	Start/bring appl. forward	1) I.e. need to press 3 keys. 2) I.e. only need to press one key (but twice) - quite much nicer and user-friendly.
Index	by Spotlight	Own	Uses Spotlight's1	None	1) QSB saves HD space by using Spotlight's index instead of building and maintaining its own (thus also performance improvement, though minor).
Actions	No	No	Yes (e.g. open appl.)	###
Calculations & definitions	No	Yes	Yes	No
Extendible	No?	#	Yes	No
Search of cached & deleted files	?	Yes	?	?
Pros	Std install, no need to download Background appl.	Easy to activate Fast Really good at finding files Background appl.	Easy to activate Works on 10.6.
Cons	Three keys to access	Doesn't work on 10.6!	Buggy? Often can't find files...

See also Google Desktop vs. QSB below.

 

Spotlight <top>

(Also, more info at wikipedia.)

Been around since Mac OS X 10.4 and is fine for many users. Personally prefer Google's alternatives for a number of reasons:

• More powerful, feature-rich (not only local desktop but searching the Internet, plus access to Google-world with calculations, definitions...)
• Easier to activate - easier to click Command-key twice (one finger) instead of keyboard combination for Spotlight (CMD+ALT+F)

Main drawback(s):

• Google application (Desktop or Quick Search Box (QSB)) must always be running, and is thus visible among the list of open applications). With lots of open applications this increase the "murkiness"... Would be really nice if could hide it.
• (Desktop, not QSB): builds and maintains its own index - uses CPU (not that it ever has bothered but anyway) and harddisk space (this can be more intrusive though, index for a 100 GB drive has been a couple of GB; varies lots with what type of files you have, and what you index)

 

Google Desktop <top>

• desktop.google.com/mac/
• Wikipedia article.

The mother of really good alternatives...! Been using it ever since - first on PC (from 2004) and then on Mac (2007).

Replaced with Google Quick Search Box (QSB) below in Mac OS X 10.6 (Desktop doesn't work in 10.6 per 2009-09-05).

For more on Google Desktop, check out swedeteam.com/google.

 

Google Quick Search Box (QSB) <top>

(Also, more info at wikipedia.)

http://www.google.com/search?q=google+desktop+vs+google+quick+search+box

Getting Started : About the Quick Search Box - Google Quick Search Box Help

"Google Quick Search Box is an open source search box that allows you to search data on your computer and across the web. " [qsb-mac]

"Google has announced a new Mac-only search project by the name of Quick Search Box. Quick Search Box is hybrid application that indexes files on your Mac and provides Google web searches, all wrapped in an interface that will be very familiar to anyone who’s used the popular Mac application, Quicksilver.

There’s a very good reason for Quick Search Box’s resemblance to Quicksilver — Quicksilver’s creator, Nicholas Jitkoff, is one of the programmers behind Google’s new Quick Search Box.

Before digging into what Quick Search Box offers, it’s worth answering the obvious question: how is this different from Google’s existing search tool in Google Desktop for Mac?

The answer is that Quick Search is like a stripped down version of Desktop, eliminating widgets and other tools to just focus on searching. Quick Search also offers context-sensitive options (à la Quicksilver) that you won’t find in Desktop." [Wired200901]

June 2009:

"Google has released a new Mac application that lets users search both their Macs and the Web in the same window as well as launch applications.

...

It's basically a Googlized front end on Mac OS X's Spotlight search, according to a Web page explaining the difference between Google Desktop and Google Quick Search Box. The main difference between the two Google products is that you can launch applications from the Quick Search Box, which isn't possible in Google Desktop." [CNET20090609]

References:

• [qsb-mac] Home page: qsb-mac - Quick Search Box for the Mac: code.google.com/p/qsb-mac/
• [Wired20090113] Quick Search Box: Google’s Take on Popular Mac App, Quicksilver | Epicenter | Wired.com
• [CNET20090609] Google releases Quick Search Box for Mac | Webware - CNET
• General search: www.google.com/search?q=google+quick+search+box

 

Google Desktop vs. QSB <top>

From Getting Started : Quick Search Box vs. Google Desktop - Google Quick Search Box Help (retrieved 2009-09-05):

Getting Started: Quick Search Box vs. Google Desktop Although Google Desktop for Mac and Google Quick Search Box for Mac are very similar, they do have a few notable differences. Here are some unique features that are not shared between the two products: Quick Search Box Actions Quick Search Box lets you perform actions on your search results. To see a list of possible actions, select the result you're interested in and press Tab. No index needed By using Spotlight's index to find files on your computer, the Quick Search Box saves both hard drive space and computing power. Calculations and definitions Enter a calculation or a word you'd like to define and see the answer appear along with your other search results. Extensability The Quick Search Box provides a framework for you to add your own features to the search box. Learn more about Quick Search Box Google Desktop Google.com integration When you perform a Google search with Google Desktop installed, Desktop results appear next to Google search results. Search of cached and deleted files You can find cached content and deleted files through Google Desktop. Want to use the silver Quick Search Box instead of the regular black Desktop one? Simply turn off the Desktop Quick Search Box hotkey. Once it's disabled, install the new Quick Search Box from http://www.google.com/quicksearchbox

 

Find Any File <top>

Home: http://apps.tempel.org/FindAnyFile/, by Thomas Tempelmann - http://www.tempel.org/