Is Google Desktop 2.0 really attractive?

Google is the number one search engine on the Internet. However, Google Desktop 1.0 search engine on PC is not really successful. Therefore, Google quickly updated Google Desktop 2.0 version. So, is this new version really attractive?

In 2004, Google surprised everyone by releasing Google Desktop. This is a pure desktop application, but it provides users with information on the PC as easily as searching the Web. Google has released Google Desktop 2.0 version. The company said this is a version with significant changes compared to the previous version.

Simple, quick installation

Installing Google Desktop 2.0 is quick and simple. However, to create an index for all files, it will take longer, you should set the index creation setting when the system is idle. When the installation process finishes, the computer will need about an hour or 2 hours to create a "table of contents" for the entire system before it can be searched. After the indexing is complete, all the Web pages you have gone through, the email you received, the files . are all ready for search. Testing Google Desktop on a computer using Athlon 64 3500+ processor, with 1 GB of RAM and a 7200 round SATA hard drive, the results show that Google Desktop does not reduce system performance when indexed. CPU usage is only 2% - 8% while the system is idle.

Version 2.0 can search even old messages from AOL or MSN messaging programs. In addition, Google Desktop can search and index the Encrypted File System (EFS) encrypted files used in Windows XP OS. Like the first version, Google Desktop works well with both Internet Explorer and Firefox, MSN Desktop Search does not support Firefox.

New suit for Google Desktop

The default Sidebar will provide a lot of useful tools such as News, Web Clips, Scratch Pad, Photos, QuickView, Maps . Mailboxes (Emails) can work with Gmail, Outlook of Microsoft, Thunderbird, or other Other email programs, news sources (News) can get "hot" news sources from the countries you choose. Scratch Pad allows rotation of available images in the "My Pictures" folder. The weather forecast only serves US states / cities, so the weather forecast may not be very practical for you . Finally the search box at the bottom of this Sidebar can be confusing. . However, if you don't like the Sidebar interface because it can take up a lot of work space, you can switch to the Deskbar interface (which will be attached to the Windows Taskbar), or the Floating Deskbar interface Can be placed anywhere you like.

When you type a keyword in the search box, the result will appear as a pop-up window. Google Desktop can filter the results by clicking "Web pages", "email" and the software will quickly give the appropriate results quickly. Just like Google search engine on the Web, the interface of Google Desktop is quite simple. Click the email option and you will see the search results by email appear in the browser. Google Desktop does not need to open the email application, so you can read the message content in the browser right away. If you want, you can still set the option to read messages and find information right in the email application.

If you are a "hunter" person, you can expand Web clips and choose to read RSS feeds right in Sidebar, eliminating some of your options is not really as useful as: stock prices, weather . It is also great that Google Desktop only selects the information you care about based on your Web surfing habits, you do not need to manually set up. Not only that, new messages will also appear in the sidebar. In testing, Google Desktop can instantly search for messages received in email programs in seconds.

Attractive features

New function Quick Find, you can run any application by typing a few characters in the search box, this is a great feature, really more attractive than you have to go to Start -> All Programs already browse through "dozens" of messy menus to see the program you need. This feature is also being developed by Microsoft in its Vista operating system. Google Desktop cannot index compressed files (* .ZIP) like Yahoo! Desktop Search. However, Google supports a module that allows Google Desktop to search compressed files. You can download it at: http://desktop.google.com/plugins/archives.html

Like version 1.0, Google Desktop API allows developers to develop new tools for Google Desktop. For example: Google Desktop 2.0 release version allows developers to program Sidebar components using programming languages ​​such as VBScript and JavaScript. Not only that, Google also offers a free installer that allows programmers to create installers of their modules quickly and conveniently. You can use Google Sidebar to control music programs like iTunes, Winamp. If you are a programmer, you want to join the Google Desktop developer community? Please register and participate at:
http://desktop.google.com/developer

The advantages have made Google famous not only in its ability to search quickly but also in other attractive possibilities: When the computer is on leave, the map frame (Maps) will automatically deliver the beautiful scenes on. world like Bratislava, Slovakia and Athens, Greece. When you click on the image, a window will appear, allowing you to interact in real time . Sometimes work makes you tired and depressed, use this tool. Maps will take you to explore Cairo with mysterious pyramids that will help you reduce fatigue. Google Desktop 2 can also scan Web pages you are reading and put them on the map to best suit your needs.

Another upgrade is the Google Desktop for Enterprise version, which is used for administrative purposes and to expand the scope of applications. Using this new tool, large companies can set up data centers from the enterprise-wide information system into the Sidebar. Thereby, employees can search for business information with their own accounts via Internet connection or corporate Intranet. This is also useful for small businesses. However, Google Desktop does not support Macs.

Search capabilities

As a search utility, Google Desktop has surpassed other search engines, which can rival Yahoo! Desktop Both search engines automatically index new or changed files in files and emails, address books, memos, and programs in email messages. However, Yahoo! Desktop Search still has the advantage of using X1, supporting over 300 different file formats. Google Desktop supports many formats without Yahoo! Desktop, but Google Desktop still supports searching more file types than MSN Search.

Although, Yahoo! Search is still the # 1 PC search engine, but Google Desktop 2.0 has introduced an "eye-catching" interface that not only provides good search capabilities on its computer system but also on the Internet. Google Desktop 2.0 is a big step that allows you to load the programs you want with just a few simple keywords. However, Google Desktop 2.0 cannot provide everything you want but is still the fastest and simplest search engine. Google Desktop 2.0 is completely free, you can download it at: http://desktop.google.com

Minh Phuc