Introducing Google Desktop

Beginning with Google Desktop.
We know that you have lots of information stored on your computer. Wouldn't it be great if you could find what you need when you need it?
Main parts with Google Desktop is that it makes searching your computer as easy as searching the web with Google. It's a desktop application that makes your computer search able by indexing your local files on your computer such as email, music, photos, videos, word, excel, chat conversations etc. Of course does it also provide web search.

When you make a Desktop search (a search for local files) you'll go to a local web page showing you the most relevant search results as you are used to when making a web search at Google. You have some filter opportunities for your search result. There is also a preview file function so you don't have to wait for an external application to open a file. When making a search on the Desktop homepage there are some advanced search options provided to refine the search.

The Desktop search doesn't work if there are no files indexed. After you install it, it's supposed to start indexing the email, files and web history stored on your computer, but if it doesn't automatically start index you may have to change the options so it does that. This is a one-time indexing and to not slow down the performances of your computer it only index files while the computer is idling. The Desktop also updates your index by adding new for example emails as you receive them.

The Desktop does also provide function to find deleted files. How Google Desktop do this is by creating cached copies of your files each time you view them, and stores these copies on your hard drive.

But that's not all. Not only that Google Desktop makes your local files search able with the app, it also provides information from the web and help you organize with Gadgets and the Sidebar. Google gadgets are mini applications that can be placed on your desktop, in the Sidebar and also be integrated with your iGoogle page. Gadgets can show you the latest news, photos, weather etc. The Sidebar is a vertical bar on your desktop which basically functions as a control panel for your gadgets. You have a full control to add and remove gadgets and place them freely wherever you want on your desktop.

References:
iGoogle
http://www.google.com/ig
Google Desktop - Features
http://desktop.google.com/en/features.html