Desktop Search App?

[Jon]

Anyone here use Google Desktop or MSN Desktop, or one of the many brands out there? If so, which one do you use, and which one do you recommend?

 

[WebRef.eu]

I don't use one because I haven't worked out whether data from my PC could get transmitted from it, but I do know that dev guru Scott Hanselman uses the Google product so I expect it's worth a look.

Rgds

WebRef.eu

 

[a10sys]

I have tried Google Desktop - but it slows my system down - I do like it for finding old documents and such - but a pain in the ass when I have 20 million windows open.

 

[wesley]

I just use the built-in spotlight app (mac), doesn't vista have something similar?

I did use google desktop before and it worked great, I would recommend that instead of anything msn.

 

[LazyHippy]

Yeah, I used Google Desktop for a while and it was really good but a resource-hog! This was over a year ago so it might be better - was thinking about trying it again as being able to index and search my pc with Google's algorithms was really useful.

Just from general experience I'd go for Google over MS any day.

 

[bubbles]

Google Desktop is pretty insecure. If someone finds an XSS vuln in google.com, they can use it search files on your local computer if you have google desktop.

 

[chatmasta]

Bubbles, what is the probability of one hacker finding an XSS vulnerability in the most used search engine on the web designed by thousands of the smartest programmers in the world? If that ever happened, I think there would be a lot more to worry about than someone searching your Google desktop.

I don't use one because I haven't worked out whether data from my PC could get transmitted from it

Google Desktop - Privacy Policy

The Google Desktop application indexes and stores versions of your files and other computer activity, such as email, chats, and web history. These versions may also be mixed with your Web search results to produce results pages for you that integrate relevant content from your computer and information from the Web. Your computer's content is not made accessible through Google Desktop to Google without your explicit permission.

If you choose to enable Advanced Features, Google Desktop may send information about the websites that you visit to provide enhanced Google Desktop functions, such as personalizing news displayed in Sidebar. Enabling Advanced Features also allows Google Desktop to collect a limited amount of non-personal information from your computer and send it to Google. This includes summary information, such as the number of searches you do and the time it takes for you to see your results, and application reports we'll use to make the program better.

 

[micfire]

I use Spotlight and Launchbar 4. I pity the fools who use those crappy Windows wannabe desktop search tools.

 

[wesley]

haha chatmasta, there have been numerous such occasions in the past. Google does not consist of "godlike programmers".

 

[chatmasta]

Heh, my bad.

google - Google Search

 

[bubbles]

Bubbles, what is the probability of one hacker finding an XSS vulnerability in the most used search engine on the web designed by thousands of the smartest programmers in the world? If that ever happened, I think there would be a lot more to worry about than someone searching your Google desktop.

Google Desktop:
ha.ckers.org web application security lab - Archive » Google desktop is owned by XSS
ha.ckers.org web application security lab - Archive » Google Desktop - The Saga Continues

Google:
ha.ckers.org web application security lab - Archive » Google XSS Vuln
ha.ckers.org web application security lab - Archive » Cross Site Scripting Vulnerability in Google
sla.ckers.org web application security forum :: XSS Info :: new google XSS
sla.ckers.org web application security forum :: XSS Info :: Small Google XSS hole (0day I guess)
sla.ckers.org web application security forum :: Full Disclosure :: Widespread XSS for Google Search Appliance

Thats just off RSnakes site, and doesnt include all the redirects you can also do though google... To googles credit they do patch the vulnerabilities very quickly after they come out.

 

[dicetomato]

I use a program called launchy.