Desktop Search = Increased Productivity
Have you seen this article on how Bill Gates ’gets things done’? It’s been out a few days now, and I’m sure most of us geeks have seen it, but I wanted to point out one thing in particular that interested me.
Another digital tool that has had a big effect on my productivity is desktop search. It has transformed the way I access information on my PC, on servers, and on the Internet. With larger hard drives and increasing bandwidth, I now have gigabytes of information on my PC and servers in the form of e-mails, documents, media files, contact databases, and so on.
How I Work: Bill Gates - Apr. 4, 2006
Wouldn’t it be great if you could instantaneously find the file you wanted? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve navigated Windows explorer several folders deep looking for something, and usually, many times during the course of a day. Of course, I’ve used the built in Windows search feature, but it takes longer than manually searching for the file.
Desktop search to the rescue! There are a few software packages to choose from. You have MSN Desktop Search, Google Desktop Search, X1 Search, the list goes on. Which one is best? The choice is really up to you, but I’ll tell you which one I like best. I’ve tried these three in the past.
GTDWannabe wrote about a product called Copernic Desktop Search a while back. Interested in what it was all about, I downloaded the FREE software and installed it on my Tablet PC. After the files were through indexing, I couldn’t believe how quickly I could find things. Someone stopped by my office and asked me about an invoice, so I popped open Copernic using the Windows + C shortcut key, and typed in my search string. BAM!!, I got results.
Features I like
In addition to instant results to your searches, you can preview many common file types such as MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, and the like because Copernic indexes the entire file. Copernic gives you the ability to view and open them if you like. Another great feature is the ability to search MS Outlook contacts, and mail. When your machine is idle, Copernic takes time to update the index with new and/or modified files.
Notice below (on the left) that I searched for ’tanner’. I was searching email messages with the word ’tanner’, and Copernic returns Other Search Results at the bottom too. From this search I know I have 20 files, 30 pictures, 1 video, and 1 contact containing the word ’tanner’. If I click on ’Pictures’, it shows me the pictures with the word ’tanner’ in them. (See the screenshot on the right). All of this was done in about 5 seconds. No, really.
Features I’d Like To See
There are files it won’t index, such as MindManager maps, MS Outlook tasks and calendar entries, and Lotus Notes databases (who would expect it to index Lotus Notes?!). I have the unfortunate privilege of having to use Lotus Notes for mail, so I miss out on this wonderful searching feature.
Conclusion
I think Mr. Gates is right, having the ability to search your desktop, even if it’s hundreds of gigs worth of information, revolutionizes productivity. If you haven’t discovered this, you should start today by downloading a copy of Copernic Desktop Search. For the price, you really can’t beat it. Also, check out their other products.