Google Releases the New Google Desktop
Includes the New Sidebar
Tuesday, August 23, 2005 by Larry Kuperman | Discussion: Windows Software
Google has released Version 2 (Beta) of the Google Desktop. Fast and powerful as ever, it now includes a customizable sidebar. You can check out the screenshots at http://desktop.google.com/screenshots.html and download the desktop from http://desktop.google.com/
It is as fast and slick as one would expect from Google. Installation was trivial and there was virtually no set up. (I had to enter my Gmail account to have that checked, but it detected my Outlook settings by itself.)
If you need to search for emails, documents, etc. then this is a valuable tool. The search seemed even faster than in earlier versions. It also offers a news ticker, weather, the usual conveniences. I thought that the addition of a "Scratch Pad" for notes was a good idea. The "Quick View" of frequently visited web pages and files was also nice.
If you find a sidebar intrusive, you can also configure the Search bar to float, allowing you to place it where you want, or to be a part of your Windows taskbar.
The most pleasant surprise was the integration with Outlook. It adds a Search field right into the Outlook toolbar.
Google is offering an Enterprise version, intended for businesses. See http://desktop.google.com/enterprise/index.html. Not only does the Google desktop integrate with Outlook (which I still think of as a business application) but with Lotus Notes, as well.
At the risk of being trite, it is clear once again that Google "gets it." This is clearly a well-conceived and well-written application. I give it a 10 out of 10.
It is as fast and slick as one would expect from Google. Installation was trivial and there was virtually no set up. (I had to enter my Gmail account to have that checked, but it detected my Outlook settings by itself.)
If you need to search for emails, documents, etc. then this is a valuable tool. The search seemed even faster than in earlier versions. It also offers a news ticker, weather, the usual conveniences. I thought that the addition of a "Scratch Pad" for notes was a good idea. The "Quick View" of frequently visited web pages and files was also nice.
If you find a sidebar intrusive, you can also configure the Search bar to float, allowing you to place it where you want, or to be a part of your Windows taskbar.
The most pleasant surprise was the integration with Outlook. It adds a Search field right into the Outlook toolbar.
Google is offering an Enterprise version, intended for businesses. See http://desktop.google.com/enterprise/index.html. Not only does the Google desktop integrate with Outlook (which I still think of as a business application) but with Lotus Notes, as well.
At the risk of being trite, it is clear once again that Google "gets it." This is clearly a well-conceived and well-written application. I give it a 10 out of 10.
armandop
Reply #2 Tuesday, August 23, 2005 10:07 PM
Reply #2 Tuesday, August 23, 2005 10:07 PM
This is just a copy of MS Windows Desktop Search and Windows Vista' sidebar
HighCommand
Reply #3 Tuesday, August 23, 2005 10:37 PM
Does that make it a worse piece of software?
Reply #3 Tuesday, August 23, 2005 10:37 PM
| This is just a copy of MS Windows Desktop Search and Windows Vista' sidebar |
Does that make it a worse piece of software?
Septimus
Reply #4 Wednesday, August 24, 2005 4:20 AM
Reply #4 Wednesday, August 24, 2005 4:20 AM
It's much better. Impressed with it so far and very unintrusive in comparison to the others mentioned.
It feels like part of the OS. Especially running it along side KoL's Fresco skin.
It feels like part of the OS. Especially running it along side KoL's Fresco skin.
koop
Reply #6 Wednesday, August 24, 2005 8:34 AM
Reply #6 Wednesday, August 24, 2005 8:34 AM
Antu, I am not sure what the point of your posts is supposed to be. Desktop Sidebar is a different program from the Google Search tool. And yes, bad things can happen if you delete files from an installed application. Not just the Google application, any application.
tri1ogy
Reply #8 Thursday, August 25, 2005 1:40 PM
Reply #8 Thursday, August 25, 2005 1:40 PM
I just might look into this. Thanks Larry Kuperman.
Benjamin
Reply #10 Friday, August 26, 2005 3:41 PM
Reply #10 Friday, August 26, 2005 3:41 PM
From: About Google Desktop
"you can search:
* Email from Gmail, Outlook 2000+, Outlook Express 5+, Netscape Mail 7.1+, Mozilla Mail 1.4+ and Thunderbird"
I wasn't too sure I wanted this cluttering my desktop, but I decided to give it a go and have found it pretty useful. It also supports plugins.
"you can search:
* Email from Gmail, Outlook 2000+, Outlook Express 5+, Netscape Mail 7.1+, Mozilla Mail 1.4+ and Thunderbird"
I wasn't too sure I wanted this cluttering my desktop, but I decided to give it a go and have found it pretty useful. It also supports plugins.
Erk.
Reply #11 Sunday, August 28, 2005 11:07 PM
Reply #11 Sunday, August 28, 2005 11:07 PM
....From the testimonials page:
| "It seems like the closest I'll get to having a search engine for my brain." - Scarlet T. |
TasT
Reply #12 Monday, August 29, 2005 9:32 PM
Reply #12 Monday, August 29, 2005 9:32 PM
slicker than any other sidebar I have tried and I have tried most....... 
Urgo
Reply #13 Wednesday, August 31, 2005 7:01 PM
Reply #13 Wednesday, August 31, 2005 7:01 PM
its smoth and working as it should only its just i dont need all those functions.
when i need to search i just use google in a browser and i have 100% check what files i have on my computer.
But this may be a good prog in a enterprise environment maybe.
when i need to search i just use google in a browser and i have 100% check what files i have on my computer.
But this may be a good prog in a enterprise environment maybe.
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Reply #1 Tuesday, August 23, 2005 12:20 PM