August 27, 2006

New Search Patent Filings: August 27, 2006 - Google's Recommendations, IBM's Speedier Pagerank, Napster's Search

Google looks at search history and user behavior to rerank results and offer ecommerce recommendations, provides a way to rewrite navigation on web pages for users of a proxy system to access the web, and shows some of the inner workings of Desktop Search.

IBM was granted a patent based upon providing advertisements to people based upon sites that they have visited, another that allows people to download information from specified pages which can be indexed and searched locally, a way of speeding up pagerank, and a method for organizing bookmarks.

Microsoft published a couple of patent applications, one which looks at using game playing to provide user rankings for web pages, and a method of providing contextual advertisements for non-textual content.

Napster's peer-to-peer filing sharing system is described in a patent originally filed in August, 2000.

Google

This patent from Google describes a way to use past search history and user behavior to rerank search results and provide ecommerce based recommendations.

Interface and system for providing persistent contextual relevance for commerce activities in a networked environment Invented by Donald R. Turnbull and Hinrich Schuetze Assigned to Google United States Patent 7,089,237 Granted August 8, 2006 Filed on January 26, 2001

Abstract

A search and recommendation system employs the preferences and profiles of individual users and groups within a community of users, as well as information derived from categorically organized content pointers, to augment electronic commerce related searches, re-rank search results, and provide recommendations for commerce related objects based on an initial subject-matter query and an interaction history of a user. The search and recommendation system operates in the context of a content pointer manager, which stores individual users' content pointers (some of which may be published or shared for group use) on a centralized content pointer database connected to a network. The shared content pointer manager is implemented as a distributed program, portions of which operate on users' terminals and other portions of which operate on the centralized content pointer database. A user's content pointers are organized in accordance with a local topical categorical hierarchy. The hierarchical organization is used to define a relevance context within which returned objects are evaluated and ordered.

Rewriting parts of pages through a proxy server, for use with mobile devices, is the focus of this patent granted to Google. It shows a method of understanding what parts of a page is navigation, in addition to determining which navigation may be ideally rewritten for a handheld.

Identifying navigation bars and objectionable navigation bars Invented by Chade-Meng Tan and Daniel Dulitz Assigned to Google United States Patent 7,089,490 Granted August 8, 2006 Filed on November 30, 2000

Abstract

Detecting so-called "navigation bars" (or "nav bars") in a (Web) document by determining whether or not nodes of a parse tree of the (Web) document are "anchor-heavy". Generally, a navigation bar can be thought of as text, such as a hyper-text link or anchor text for example, without any immediate content. Once a navigation bar is detected, objectionable navigation bars (i.e., navigation bars, the rendering of which would be objectionable to users without special re-authoring), can be distinguished from non-objectionable navigation bars (i.e., navigation bars which would not be objectionable to users with no special re-authoring). Objectionable navigation bars may be distinguished from non-objectionable navigation bars by: (a) determining whether the navigation bar is so small that normal rendering would not be objectionable; (b) determining whether the navigation bar presumably conveys meaningful content; and/or (c) determining whether the navigation bar is a component of a non-objectionable navigation bar (where all components of the non-objectionable navigation bar are navigation bars themselves).

One of the inventors listed in the following patent application, Tomas Gunnarsson, is a Google Desktop Software Engineer according to a post he made in the Google Blog on a "quick search" for Desktop Search. It appears that this patent filing looks at some of the inner workings of Desktop Search.

Access to a target object with desired functionality Invented by Johann Tomas Sigurdsson and Tomas Gunnarsson Assigned to Google US Patent Application 20060179441 Published August 10, 2006 Filed on February 10, 2005

Abstract

A system and method provide access to a target object associated with a desired functionality. This is accomplished by creating an instance of a pre-existing object, replacing one or more functions of a table shared by all objects of the object's class, and triggering a call that ultimately causes the replacement functions to be called to allow access to the target object. The system includes software portions for enabling the method.

IBM

As a person surfs the web, the process in this patent describes a way of collecting keywords from pages visited to target appropriate advertising for that user.

Method and apparatus for providing reduced cost online service and adaptive targeting of advertisements Invented by Viktors Berstis and Herman Rodriguez Assigned to IBM United States Patent 7,089,194 Granted August 8, 2006 Filed on June 17, 1999

Abstract

A method and apparatus for adaptively targeting advertisements to a specific client computer from a server within a distributed data processing system is provided. As a user of the client browses the World Wide Web, the material that is downloaded to the client constitutes a datastream. At some location during the routing of the datastream, either on the server or at the client, the datastream is scanned to generate a list of keywords that are present within the datastream. The datastream may be analyzed in real-time or cached and analyzed on a delayed basis. The generated list of keywords represents a summary of the content that appears to be the focus of interest of the user. The keywords are compared against a database of advertisements, and the server selects an advertisement that matches the user's area of interest in comparison to the analysis of the user's browsing history. The selected advertisement is then inserted into the datastream to be routed to the client. In consideration for viewing targeted advertisements and to entice a Web viewer to allow the monitoring of a datastream so that targeted advertisements may be placed into the datastream, a Web viewer may receive online connection service for free, for a reduced cost, at a premium level of service, or for other some other value, such as frequent viewer credits that may be exchanged for goods and services.

Method and system for searching for web content Invented by Michael James Osias Assigned to IBM United States Patent 7,089,233 Granted August 8, 2006 Filed on September 6, 2001

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and system for searching for web content. Specifically, the present invention provides a system and method for retrieving web content from designated web pages and hyperlinks, indexing the retrieved web content in a local database, and searching the local database for desired web content. Retrieved content is indexed in the local database so that future access of the web content can be more efficient.

System and method for rapid computation of PageRank Invented by John Anthony Tomlin, Andrew S. Tomkins, and Arvind Arasu Assigned to IBM United States Patent 7,089,252 Granted August 8, 2006 Filed on April 25, 2002

Abstract

A method of ranking a plurality of linked documents. The method comprises obtaining a plurality of documents, and determining a rank of each document. The rank of each document is generally a function of a rank of all other documents in the plurality of documents which point to the document and is determined by solving, by equation-solving methods (including Gauss-Seidel iteration and partitioning) of a set of equations wherein:.alpha..alpha..times..times..times..times. ##EQU00001## where x.sub.i is the rank of the page indexed by i, .alpha. is a number strictly between 0 and 1.0, the summation is over all indices j such that page j points to page i, and a.sub.ij is defined to be the reciprocal of the number of links pointing out from page j (denoted d.sub.j) if page j points to page i, and zero otherwise.

Conditional promotion of bookmarks Invented by Cary L. Bates, Gilford F. Martino, John M. Santosuosso, and Vincent T. Timon, III Assigned to IBM United States Patent 7,089,305 Granted August 8, 2006 Filed on September 25, 2001

Abstract

A method and system for organizing bookmarks. A bookmark structure includes a main bookmark list and at least one bookmark folder. A bookmark search list, which includes at least one bookmark in the bookmark structure, is generated. Software is executed, wherein the software searches each bookmark on the bookmark search list through depth N (N.gtoreq.0). The searching determines whether the bookmark satisfies an upgrade condition. The upgrade condition includes a boolean text expression and may also include at least one of: a client visitation condition, a general visitation condition, a bookmark existence condition, a content-type condition, a URL-age condition, and a Top-Level-Domain (TLD) condition. If the searching determines that the bookmark satisfies the upgrade condition and that the bookmark is not in the special bookmark location, then the bookmark is moved to the special bookmark location.

Microsoft

Improving quality of web search results using a game Invented by Luis von Ahn Arellano and Josh D. Benaloh Assigned to Microsoft US Patent Application 20060179053 Published August 10, 2006 Filed on February 4, 2005

Abstract

A system combines individual estimates of the subjective appeal of web pages into a combined rating for each web page that can be used to rank web pages during a web search. In a gaming implementation, a web page recipient estimates the combined rating that other recipients of the web page have formulated. The recipient can be rewarded for accurately estimating the combined rating by receiving a subsequent web page that possesses a high rating.

Image and other analysis for contextual ads Invented by Carl M. Kadie, Joshua T. Goodman, and Christopher A. Meek Assigned to Microsoft US Patent Application 20060179453 Published August 10, 2006 Filed on February 7, 2005

Abstract

The subject invention provides a unique system and method that facilitates providing contextual advertisements based on one or more identified terms extracted from a non-text object such as an image, video, and/or audio object. Terms can also be identified and extracted from metadata associated with or other data derived from text objects such as email messages and attached text documents. One or more recognition techniques can be employed to identify data found in the non-text object (including the metadata or any other data derived therefrom) and data found in the metadata associated with the text object. Once the identified terms are analyzed, an appropriate contextual advertisement can be presented to the user. If the content of the non-text or text object is deemed of a negative nature, no contextual advertisement is provided.

Outland Research

Napster

System and method for searching peer-to-peer computer networks by selecting a computer based on at least a number of files shared by the computer Invented by Wilburt Juan Labio, Giao Thanh Nguyen, Winston Wencheng Liu, Gurmeet Singh Manku Assigned to Napster United States Patent 7,089,301 Granted August 8, 2006 Filed on August 11, 2000

Abstract

A method and system for intelligently directing a search of a peer-to-peer network, in which a user performing a search is assisted in choosing a host which is likely to return fast, favorable results to the user. A host monitor monitors the peer-to-peer network and collects data on various characteristics of the hosts which make up the network. Thereafter, a host selector ranks the hosts using the data, and passes this information to the user. The user then selects one or more of the highly-ranked hosts as an entry point into the network. Additionally, a cache may collect a list of hosts based on the content on the hosts. In this way, a user may choose to connect to a host which is known to contain information relevant to the user's search. The host selector may be used to select from among the hosts listed in the cache.

My usual reminder about patents: Some of the processes and technology described in patents are created in house, and some are developed with the assistance of contractors and partners. A percentage are never developed in a tangible manner, but may serve as a way to attempt to exclude others from using the technology, or even to possibly mislead competitors into exploring an area that they might not have an interest in (sometimes skepticism is good.)

There are times when a Google or Yahoo acquires a company to gain access to the intellectual property of that company, or the intellectual prowess and expertise of that company's employees. And sometimes patents are just purchased.

Want to comment or discuss? Visit our Search Technology & Relevancy area of the Search Engine Watch Forums.

Posted by Bill Slawski at 11:34 PM | Permalink

May 10, 2006

New Google Desktop Beta Features Google Gadgets

The Inside Google Desktop blog announced the release of a new version of Google Desktop. The new version's main feature are Google Gadgets, some of the many widgets include Weather Globe, Google Calendar and many more.

Developers can also build Google Gadgets themselves, more information on that at SDK Overview section. Let's not forget that Yahoo bought Konfabulator and renamed it to Yahoo Widgets, plus I never use Apple's widgets (i.e. Dashboard).

Postscript From Danny: A few more points not covered in the Google blog post which are covered as part of Google Press Day presentations:

• It's supposed to automatically suggest gadgets to try based on your web history. Go to a lot of movie sites? Then it might suggest movie-related gadgets, for instance.  
• The new Google Desktop will sync settings across computers, if you sign in through a Google Account. It will remember your to do lists, gadget preferences and other things regardless of where you are.  

Posted by Barry Schwartz at 2:47 PM | Permalink

November 15, 2005

MS Releases Free Desktop Search Client for Enterprise Users

Word from Gates, Ballmer, and crew that Microsoft's Desktop Search is now available and free for enterprise users. Use of the Windows Toolbar with the enterprise version is optional.

Additionally, the AP reports that Microsoft also said that its consumer desktop search product will "eventually" let people search information found in Microsoft’s Windows Live online services.

More Coverage: + Windows desktop search gets down to business (via ZDNet) + Microsoft Launches Enterprise Desktop Search Tool (via NewsFactor) + Microsoft Offers Enterprise Version of Free Windows Desktop Search (via TechWeb)

Posted by Gary Price at 1:53 PM | Permalink

November 3, 2005

Ask Upgrades Desktop Search

Over at Search Engine Roundtable, Barry notes that Ask Jeeves has updated its desktop search application. Looks like mostly incremental (though welcome) improvements, with a new feature called Writely, a web-based word-processor search that Gary says is slick.

More info on the Jeeves blog here.

Posted by Chris Sherman at 6:47 PM | Permalink

Google Desktop 2 Leaves Beta

As Gary noted, Google Desktop 2 has left beta. In addition to several product enhancements, Desktop 2 also has new third-party panels and expanded plug-in development options.

Some of the new features include:

• Personalized Maps Panel – This new Sidebar panel rotates through maps you've pulled up using Google Maps and local.
• Enhanced API – New support for script based plug-ins makes developing panels for Sidebar much easier. Additional details on the updated Google Desktop API are available at desktop.google.com/developer.html.
• New Third-Party Plug-ins – Dozens of new Sidebar panels have been developed using the Google Desktop API, including panels for iTunes and Winamp and a dictionary.
• Enterprise Features – Google Desktop for Enterprise features new administration, integration and security features for business environments.

Google also launched a Google Desktop Blog. A new post today goes into more detail about the personalized maps and API features.

Posted by Chris Sherman at 6:26 PM | Permalink

September 28, 2005

Yahoo Desktop Search Out Of Beta, Gets LiveWords Contextual Search

Desktop Search Goes Live! at the Yahoo Search Blog covers how a new LiveWords button has been added to Yahoo Desktop Search as part of that product coming out of beta. Select a chunk of text, and then LiveWords automatically tries to find matches related to the context of that search.

Posted by Danny Sullivan at 8:14 AM | Permalink

August 22, 2005

Google Desktop Search 2 Offers New Sidebar Widgets, Outlook Integration & More

Google has released a new version of its desktop search tool. Now in beta, Google Desktop Search 2 offers features such as integration with Outlook, indexing of email at Gmail, a sidebar with nifty widgets to display photos, headlines, RSS feed and a virtual scratch pad. The changes will likely have folks at Microsoft and Yahoo nervous but Google users pleased. Some of the changes will also no doubt kick off another round of speculation that a Google OS may be coming.

Everything Google Desktop Search has offered -- the ability to find and locate things on your computer -- remains. Here's a closer look at what's new in the latest release.

Installation

If you're already a user of Google Desktop Search, you're going to have to download the application and reindex your hard drive. Your current version of GDS will not automatically update with this beta release. If you want an auto-update, it's likely you'll have to wait until the program leaves beta. Also, another question you might be asking, is if GDS 2 available for Mac users? The answer is no. Also, at this point its is only available in English.

The download is still very small and installation is point, check, and click. After beginning the installation process you'll see a page asking you to set your preferences (which can be changed at any time). By the way, note the option to change the default search engine in IE to Google. (-:

Options include being able to search your desktop and Google's Gmail with the Google Deskbar, a floating deskbar, or the new Google Sidebar that stays on desktop when minimized. It provides quick access to not only a search box but to other services from Google and on your hard drive.

Google Sidebar

The Google Sidebar is is the most important "new" part of this beta release and will not only get people talking but also get developers developing.

The Google Sidebar can be placed anywhere on your desktop and offers several new widget/tools within easy virtual reach. However, Google Desktop Search must be running for the sidebar to work. You can't just have only the sidebar part if you want, unfortunately. Google says the sidebar is too dependent on personalizing itself based on GDS activity for this.

The sidebar remains visible unless you minimize it in most Windows applications. Just like we've seen with the Google Deskbar, you can now Google from just about anywhere in Windows.

The Google Sidebar I used last week came pre-loaded with eight panes or panels, each customizable. All eight panels can also be minimized or removed. They also automatically update with new info. The 8 panels offer access to:  

• E-Mail: This option allows you to see and read new Gmail without having to go to the Gmail site. Your Gmail is also indexed and made searchable via GDS2. The email "window" of the Google Sidebar will also works with Outlook. Take that Microsoft.  
• News: News headlines from a variety of sources. If you allow Google to know what stories you're clicking on your news headlines headlines will be personalized over time based on what articles you've looked at in the past.  
• Web Clips: Web Clips is the Google name for RSS feeds. In other words, the sidebar can also function as an RSS or ATOM aggregator. Web Clips also offers an autodiscover function. Say you visit a bunch of sites that have feeds but can't find the feed. Simply click and add them to your list of feeds. Note to Google: It would be nice to have an option to view full text feeds directly from the sidebar.  
• Scratch Pad: Type and save quick notes.  
• Photos: Images from whatever folder(s) you store images in are accessible. In fact, you can also view all/some of your photos as a slide show. You can also display photos from an online photo album.  
• Quick View: Provides access to frequently used web pages and files. The sidebar also offers a new feature called QuickFind that allows you the chance to open any program by just typing a few keystrokes into the search box. For example, you can type the letters WOR to open MS Word. Also, all of the custom search shortcuts that you might have created with Google Desktop Search 1 will be available here.  
• What's Hot: A combination of different sources to let you know what people are talking about. How something makes the "hot" box is unknown but Google did tell us that presently material comes from blog/RSS engines Technorati and DayPop. I'm wondering if some day certain advertisers or products might make it into the "hot" panel.  
• Stocks: Current stock prices, customizable  
• Weather: Current temperatures and a one day forecast for places you set.  
• Search: At the very bottom of the default sidebar is a search box. By the way, sidebar boxes can be reordered by simply dragging and dropping.

Are sidebars and similar tools a new idea? No. IE has had an "Explorer" bar for years and Firefox offers numerous sidebar plugins like the PubSub sidebar I use regularly. Of course, don't forget the very popular Mac Dashboard. Nevertheless, since Google is now releasing one, the whole sidebar "concept" will likely gain a new audience.

No doubt the Google Sidebar will appeal to Google fans and tech geeks (see below) alike. However, I wonder if all of these bells and whistles, although potentially useful, are just too much for the typical user. Do they really want or need all of these cool services? Of course, one wonders if the typical user knows about or uses a desktop search app in the first place? Sorry for being just a bit cynical. I wish Google and others would spend 1/10 of the time they spend developing new services and use it to teach people how to become better searchers and better consumers of information.

What else does the Google Sidebar do? It gives Google some serious real estate on the desktop. Although there presently isn't a panel that shows keyword advertising, it's easy to envision panels with contextual and local advertising in them. What about sponsored panels for new movies, TV programs, new products, etc. For the record, Google says it has "no plans" on the advertising front.

Google Sidebar API

Google is also opening up the sidebar to developers with an API. I'm sure developers will have a field day developing new panels. The sidebar and the panels available today and those likely be available soon, remind me of what Yahoo now offers with their acquisition Konfabulator and Apple offers with their application. Not familiar with Yaho Konfabulator? Check out Chris Sherman's recent article that looks at all the widgets that Konfabulator brings to Yahoo: Why Yahoo Bought Konfabulator.

Will today's release start a war for who offers the most sidebar apps or Konfabulator widgets? My guess is yes, it will. I'm looking forward to seeing the plug-ins that combine the sidebar with Google Maps and satellite imagery. Kind of killing two birds with one stone for the Google developer.

New File Types

Along with the 14 file types indexed with GDS, GDS2 will now index:

• Gmail
• MSN Messenger Chats
• Outlook Contacts
• Outlook Appointments
• Outlook Tasks
• Outlook Notes
• Outlook Journal

Outlook Integration

Here's another one for that I'm sure Microsofto will love -- not. Yes, it's the debut of the Google Toolbar for Outlook. If you're an MS Outlook user, look for this box that points you to where the Google's Toolbar for Outlook was placed. On my computer, the toolbar sits next to the MSN Toolbar! In addition to searching your Outlook email, you can also use it to search Outlook You can Outlook Contacts, Appointments, Tasks, Notes, and Journal.

Other Features

Along with what I've mentioned above, the GDS2 beta also offers:

• Password Protection / Index Encryption (available on the GDS2 preferences page)  
• Improved Filtering of Results (depending on document type)  
• One new feature allows you to see a timeline of everything that Google Desktop Searched cached. In other words, at 8:23 PM cached MS Word Doc xxx, at 7:31 cached AIM Chat. Got to tell you, this is very useful.  
• Options to Search Network Drives

Bottom Line?

For Google Desktop Search fans, it's Christmas (or choose other holiday) in August! This is some cool stuff and yes, Virginia, Google now has an RSS aggregator. I'm sure developers will also be busy building new ones. By the way, if you don't want to use Google Desktop Search to search your desktop, the sidebar is still completely usable. For developers? More Google toys to play with.

Finally, if you're a GDS fanatic and want to let others know about your fanaticism, the GoogleStore began selling a Google Desktop Search Baseball Jersey last week.

Posted by Gary Price at 7:04 AM | Permalink

August 18, 2005

Copernic Still Wants Their Mamma.com

Clickz is reporting that the deal that has Mamma.com acquiring desktop/enterprise search provider, Copernic.com, is back on. Mamma.com's plans to acquire Copernic were first announced in November 2003. Then, in February of this year, the deal was called off when Copernic pulled out of the deal due to an SEC probe of Mamma.com.

From Today's Clickz article: "Based on further due diligence, we are now confident that Mamma.com is a strong and very well managed company. We are positive about closing this transaction which will create a new organization capable of competing with the best of breed in the search engine sector of the Internet," Martin Bouchard, executive chairman of Copernic Technologies, said in a statement.

Posted by Gary Price at 1:11 PM | Permalink

May 25, 2005

Digimarc Desktop Image Search Beta Opens

Not happy with the image search capabilities of your existing desktop search application? A new free beta of Digimarc Image Search software might help. It's billed as working with existing services such as Google's, Yahoo's and MSN's.

Posted by Danny Sullivan at 10:23 AM | Permalink

May 20, 2005

Google and X1 offer New Desktop Search Services for Business Customers

A couple of days ago Google announced that Google Desktop Search was now available for enterprise users.

Google Desktop Search, Enterprise Edition is available for free and offers additional security features along with tools that IT managers can use to configure the service across an enterprise. GDS Enterprise Edition also makes IBM Lotus Notes files searchable. Google is offering a premium support package ($10,000 a year for each 1,000 users) for the product that provides "guaranteed response times," access to a support site, and membership in their Premium Support user forum.

More in this NewsFactor article that also includes comments from Jim Slaby at Yankee Group who says that several privacy and security issues still exist.

Also this week, longtime desktop search provider, X1, released " X1 Team Edition" for small and medium-sized businesses. They also offer an enterprise edition of their product.

Posted by Gary Price at 11:14 AM | Permalink

May 16, 2005

MSN Desktop Search Toolbar Out Of Beta In today's SearchDay, MSN Toolbar with Desktop Search Officially Launches, Chris Sherman looks at the new MSN Toolbar coming out of beta. Desktop search is a key part of the toolbar.

Posted by Danny Sullivan at 6:57 AM | Permalink

May 2, 2005

New Study Benchmarks Desktop Search Tools

The folks over at Pandia have alerted us to a new benchmark study from the University of Wisconsin's E-Business Consortium that looks at 12 desktop search tools.

The 15 page report: Benchmark Study of Desktop Search Tools, is available in full text as a PDF file.

The benchmark criteria that were used for the evaluation included usability, versatility, accuracy, efficiency, security, and enterprise readiness. When all the results were reviewed, it was determined that most of the desktop search tools were still too immature for significant business use due primarily to a lack of mature security and overall manageability.

Overall, Copernic Desktop Search gets the top ranking. At number two is Yahoo Desktop Search. Rounding out the top three is Wizetech Archivarius 3000, from a Canadian-based Wizetech Software.

Posted by Gary Price at 4:29 PM | Permalink

Forget Desktop Search -- Tag Your Content With Longhorn

While Apple's touting its bundled desktop search as a leading feature of its new OS, Microsoft is downplaying the idea that many once had that desktop search would be a killer component of its next-generation Windows operating system, Longhorn. Will Longhorn Try to Rival Google? from the IDG news service write that Longhorn will instead aim to provide visualization and tagging tools to help people better organize information. While I've been dubious about tagging for web wide search, I'm a huge fan when it comes to desktop matters. My Photo Search: Google Picasa 2 Vs. Adobe Photoshop Album 2 looks at that in more depth.

Posted by Danny Sullivan at 1:21 PM | Permalink

New Apple OS Out With Bundled "Spotlight" Desktop Search

The new Apple operating system is out, "Tiger" OS X 10.4, featuring an integrated desktop search called "Spotlight" as a leading feature. Product Review: Apple spotlights hard-drive searches with latest OS from the Seattle-Post Intelligence gives it a thumbs-up.

Posted by Danny Sullivan at 1:06 PM | Permalink

May 1, 2005

Search Your Gmail with Google Desktop Search

If you've been wanting an option to keyword search your Gmail using Google's desktop search tool, your wait is over. A 105K plug-in was made available late last week on the GDS site called, "Larry's Gmail Indexer" (beta). It uses GMail's POP access feature to make your Gmail indexable. It's developer, Larry Gadea has more info and links to other GDS plug-ins on his site.

Posted by Gary Price at 1:29 PM | Permalink

April 15, 2005

Copernic Will Not Be Sold to Mamma.com

Nothing like a government probe to spoil your plans.

The deal that had Mamma.com acquiring Copernic is no more. According to this news release, Copernic pulled out of the deal due to the now "formal" SEC investigation of Mamma.com that we blogged about the other day. Thanks to Eric Baillargeon for the news tip.

Posted by Gary Price at 6:08 PM | Permalink | TrackBack

April 6, 2005

Ars Technica Reviews Desktop Search Tools

Via Greg Linden's blog, Ars Technica tests and recaps major desktop search tools in Windows desktop search tools. From the conclusion, MSN Desktop Search comes out on top at the reviewers personal favorite, though anyone interested in web history search needs is pointed at Google Desktop.

What I believe are scores on a 0-10 scale are also given for each service within an Ars Technica Tested logo. The ratings from those work out like this:

• MSN: 9

• Copernic: 9

• Google: 8

• Yahoo: 7

• Ask: 5

Postscript: Another article the reviews the desktop search offerings from MSN, Google, and Yahoo was just posted from Forbes web site. The verdict? According to the article, "MSN desktop search beats its competitors hands down..."

Posted by Danny Sullivan at 8:51 AM | Permalink | TrackBack

March 30, 2005

Washington Post Reviews Desktop Search Tools

Seeking a More Intuitive Search Tool from the Washington Post is a round-up of major desktop search apps. Google essentially comes out on top for this reviewer, followed by the MSN too.

Posted by Danny Sullivan at 7:30 AM | Permalink | TrackBack

March 28, 2005

Desktop Search, Google Enterprise, and the U.S. Goverment

A couple of interesting reads from Federal Computer Week.

First, the article: The search is on, looks at the many obstacles desktop search tools have in getting a place on government workers desktops. That said, the next article reports that the USDA is testing Google Desktop Search.

Second, Google turns up fed business reports on how several government agencies including Health and Human Services, the Department of Transportation, and the USDA, are successfully using Google's Search Appliance. The article also mentions a few issues that one user from the USDA had with the product.

At the seminar, during which federal officials offered feedback to Google representatives, [Chris] Niedermayer [USDA’s associate chief information officer for electronic government] did note several kinks. He complained about the lack of phone support and documentation for the company’s GB-1001 model, which handles up to 1.5 million documents.

Posted by Gary Price at 4:51 PM | Permalink | TrackBack

March 7, 2005

Google Desktop Officially Launches

Google has formally launched its desktop search application, after a comparatively short beta test period of just five months. Version 1.0 of the desktop search application adds a number of new formats to the list of file types searched and addresses many of the privacy and security concerns raised after the release of the initial beta version last October.

Today's SearchDay article, Google Desktop Search Moves Out of Beta describes the new features and provides instructions for downloading the program.

Posted by Chris Sherman at 12:00 AM | Permalink | TrackBack

March 6, 2005

Blinkx Profiled in Technology Review

The Technology Review article: Search for Couch Potatoes, offers a brief look at contextual/desktop/video search tool, Blinkx. According to the article, Blinkx currently has over one million users.

With $10 million in funding from private individuals, Blinkx says it has enough money to last at least though the year without seeking venture capital financing. The companys first goal is to get more users to download its software. One way to do this, says Blinkx CEO Mark Opzoomer, is to partner with companies such as online retailers and publishers; a branded button on the Blinkx toolbar would only return results from the partner companys site. Because downloading the toolbar is free, Blinkx will rely on advertisingin the form of a separate ad button on the toolbar to bring in revenue.

Posted by Gary Price at 12:23 PM | Permalink | TrackBack

February 23, 2005

A New Version of Copernic Desktop Search is Now Available

Copernic has just released a new public beta of their desktop search tool.

Copernic Desktop Search (CDS) 1.5 offers several new features and indexing options that enhance an already robust product. If you've never tried this feature filled, easy to use/modify, and free desktop search tool (Windows only), it's more than worthy of your attention.

Back in August, on the day Copernic Desktop Search was first released, I wrote an overview article about CDS. Since then, it's not only become a tool that I use all of the time but one many others have found to be a valuable addition to their search arsenal. Copernic has received high marks in head-to-head comparisons of desktop search tools and from many tech pundits. Just this week, Pandia named Copernic Desktop Search the winner of its Best Desktop Search tool award.

For me, the number one new feature in Copernic Desktop Search 1.5 is that it now will also index and make of all of my iPod music searchable by artist, title, album, date, and genre. The other new feature that I think is worthy of extra attention is that CDS 1.5 will now (if selected) index shared network drive folders.

What else is new? Here are just a few of the highlights:

+ CDS now indexes and makes Eudora (version 5.0+) and Mozilla Thunderbird (version 1.0+) email searchable + The entire CDS "preview window" has been improved. You can now easily find all occurrences of a search term in a document using word-find buttons. In many cases, I can find the info I'm need without having to open the actual document. For example, I can search, find, and preview a PDF. Then, right from the preview window I can cut a word or sentence into a Word document. Fast and easy! + You can now limit searches for images by file size + 20 new file types are indexable + Copernic is also announcing the release of an API that will allow developers to build apps to index certain file types

You can find a list of the other new features here.

In case Firefox users are wondering, Copernic announced in December that CDS will index Firefox bookmarks and browsing history.

Kudos to Copernic for continuing to improve an already top-notch product.

Posted by Gary Price at 8:01 AM | Permalink | TrackBack

February 21, 2005

Pandia Gives Google, Others Top Search Honors

Previously, Gary mentioned Search Engine Watch was honored with two awards in the Pandia Search Engine Awards 2004. Here's a rundown on all the winners in each category:

• Best All Around Search Engine: Google
• Best Metasearch: ixquick
• Best Site On Searching: Search Engine Watch
• Best Site On Search Engine Marketing: Search Engine Watch
• Best Search Engine Discussion Forum: Webmaster World
• Best Publication On Searching: Web Search Garage, by Tara Calishain
• Best Publication On Search Engine Marketing: Unfair Advantage Book On Winning The Search Engine Wars, by Planet Ocean
• Best Weblog On Searching: ResourceShelf
• Best Weblog On Search Engine Marketing: Search Engine Journal
• Best Desktop Search Tool: Copernic

The Pandia article on its awards also recaps a number of runners-up and alternative resources, so it's worth a read-through to discover many other resources and tools not mentioned above.

What about our own Search Engine Watch Awards, that I mentioned would be happening earlier this year. Normally we do them in January, but it's been busy, and we're behind. The plan now is to open up the process in March, so that our readers can discuss what they liked best in 2004. More details to come on this later.

Posted by Danny Sullivan at 12:02 PM | Permalink | TrackBack

February 15, 2005

On Personal Information Management

As web and other databases grow larger and the amount of non-web info (email, chat, spreadsheets, etc) in our lives continues to proliferate, managing the content in our personal storehouses of data, will become even more of a challenge. The Seattle Times article: UW ponders how to best store and retrieve electronic information, reports about the "Keeping Found Things Found" (KFTF) research project at the Information School at the University of Washington. The project's home page to plenty of excellent reading about what's going on at UW.

"There isn't yet an identified field of study called personal information management," said Harry Bruce, an associate dean for research at the Information School who organized the conference with Jones. "I would like to see this as one of the signature programs of the Information School. The momentum is building on this."

Easier said than done. Just as people have their own methods of sorting the stacks of papers in their homes or offices, computer users have different ways of tackling electronic information.

[Professor William] Jones said, studies have shown people will not use separate computer programs designed to help them stay organized; they want to use the programs they already have. Or they'll fall back on tried-and-true tools: posting sticky notes on their monitors or sending e-mail messages to themselves.

I think these comments are not only be accurate for personal information management but also for web search in general. A library professor called it the hometown syndrome. You use (in this case search) using the tools you know and changing tools and behavior is a challenge for both the individual but also for the companies who want you to try something new. If you talk to lawyers, you'll see that many are either dedicated LexisNexis or Westlaw users.

Another challenge in getting people to try different databases is the lack of standards and the thousands of different interfaces. This is why I believe invidualized, federated search appliances, will become commonplace in the future for many types of searchers. Tools to help a searcher select which database(s) will also help. Dialog, a very popular "supermarket" of databases has offered this type of tool for years.

These days there's also lots of interest in folksonomy development as seen at del.icio.us and Flickr. They're great ideas for personal and even small group info management. However, I'm still not sold on the idea for larger public services. I shared a few of the problems I see with them (for group usage) in a comment on Searchblog yesterday.

Btw, if you've never read Vannevar Bush's July 1945 article, "As We May Think" that discusses his take on "future" personal information management, have a look and read about what he calls the Memex. Fascinating.

Posted by Gary Price at 12:54 PM | Permalink | TrackBack

February 13, 2005

Screen Captures of Exalead's Desktop Search Application

We've been tracking Exalead, the feature filled (putting it mildly) web search engine from France since it became available last October. About a month ago, Exlead's web database passed the one billion page mark. Since October, we've also known that Exalead has plans to enter the desktop search space. We still don't know exactly when a beta release will be available but some screen captures are available via the French language web search newsletter, Netchercheur. From what we can see, Exalead Desktop Search will offer many of the same features and sport the similar UI as their robust web engine. Thanks to Christophe for the heads-up.

Posted by Gary Price at 5:21 PM | Permalink | TrackBack

February 8, 2005

Are You Ready To Try AOL's Standalone Browser and Desktop Search App?

Nate Mook over at BetaNews reports that standalone AOL Web Browser and Desktop Search Application are now available for download and use by anyone with an AOL or AIM screen name.

The browser uses Microsoft Internet Explorer technology but, "packs on additional features such as tabbed browsing and advanced pop-up blocking." The desktop search app (see: Yes, AOL Desktop Search Uses Copernic!) will eventually index previously viewed web pages and AOL Instant Messenger chat transcripts. As far as I know, Google Desktop Search is presently the only major player offering these options.

For more details see: AOL Opens Browser, PC Search Beta.

Posted by Gary Price at 10:09 AM | Permalink | TrackBack

January 18, 2005

Google Releases Picasa 2 Photo Software

Last year, Google purchased the Picasa photo software company. Today, Picasa's now released the second version of its software. The SearchDay article Photo Search: Google Picasa 2 Vs. Adobe Photoshop Album 2 now posted looks at how the latest release measures up from a photo search and management perspective, with me pitting it against my current favorite, Adobe Photoshop Album.

It's still Album for me, though I'll be upgrading to Photoshop Elements for IPTC keyword export capability. IPTC what? Check out the story and get organized with your pictures!

Posted by Danny Sullivan at 12:00 AM | Permalink | TrackBack

January 12, 2005

$$$ in Desktop Search?

Can money be made in desktop search? Business Week's Ben Elgin offers his thoughts in a new article. He writes, "The money-making potential of desktop search is dubious in the short term. The various players haven't announced business blueprints, but it's likely that some will experiment with ways to cash in, such as placing relevant ads alongside search results." The complete article: Can Desktop Search Find Profits? is available here.

Posted by Gary Price at 2:33 PM | Permalink | TrackBack

January 11, 2005

Steve Jobs Talks Desktop Search at Macworld

How about some more desktop search news? This time from Apple. Stefanie Olsen reports in the News.com story: Jobs centers Spotlight on desktop search, what Apple CEO Steve Jobs had to say about desktop search during his keynote speech at the Macworld Expo today. In addition to reading Stefanie's article, you can view a webcast of the keynote address online.

+ Apple's "Spotlight" search technology is on target for release in the first half of 2005. At launch, Spotlight will index more than 12 file types.

+ Olsen writes, There's even a concept in Tiger [the name of Apple's most recent OS X upgrade] called Smart Folders that will pull together files based on a combination of keywords or file attributes. Interesting. Blinkx, who just yesterday unveiled pre-beta version of their tool (including desktop search capabilities) for the Mac, offers a feature called Smart Folders. Stefanie's description of what Apple is developing sounds similar to what Blinkx is already offering.

Posted by Gary Price at 4:51 PM | Permalink | TrackBack

A Few Thoughts About Yahoo Desktop Search

As Chris wrote about for SearchDay, Yahoo has just released their desktop search app. I've had a chance to use the latest entry in the desktop search wars and have a few random comments and constructive critcisims to share based on a version of YDS that the company shared with me last week. Let's remember that today's release is a "living" beta. (-:

+ I'm surprised that with Yahoo! doing so much work with syndicated feeds that they didn't what to differentiate their product (important these days) from the outset with the ability to aggregate and keyword search feeds. In other words, toss an RSS aggregator into the app.

+ Partial words show up in results when they shouldn't be there. For example, when I search my hard drive for "Chris Sherman" AND "News", YDS considers "news" in "newsletter" a hit. Searching for shop (without "") shows pages containing the word "shopping" as hits. Searching for the name "Don" (with quotation marks) shows "don't" and "done" as hits.

+ It would be useful if future releases would allow you to view and if needed, rerun previous searches via a pull-down option below the search box. Interestingly, previous queries are visible when searching from the deskbar (yes, Yahoo! search offers a deskbar) but not from the app itself.

+ PDF gripe. With other desktop search apps you can quickly view the preview version of a PDF and then cut and paste the text (in ASCII) into a document. This is not possible with YDS. However, you can cut and paste other document types.

+ The YDS download is larger than similar apps coming in at about seven MB. Google Desktop Search is less than 1MB and Copernic's tool is about 2MB. The Jeeves app is also a very small download.

+ A feature to remove not have certain directories and filetypes (YDS indexes an impressive 200+ file types) indexed is available but it needs to be more visible under the options header. It would also be helpful, IMHO, if you were asked what you want and don't want indexed when you first install the product.

+ Eudora and Netscape Mail users stay tuned. At the moment YDS doesn't allow you to search mail if you use these mail apps. The native X1 app does offer this capability. I'm betting Yahoo! has plans to adds these options soon.

+ A link to search the Yahoo web database is included in the YDS app. However, it opens opens a web browser window and does not integrate results into the preview pane. Better desktop/web search integration would make help the searcher save time when simply reviewing result lists.

+ Fast Fact: When searching with Boolean connectors AND, OR, and NOT need to be in upper case, otherwise they're considered search terms. Overall, Yahoo Desktop offers many advanced search features.

+ I agree with Chris, it would be useful if YDS would offer an option to index and make searchable a permanent cache of every page that is viewed in your browser.

Posted by Gary Price at 8:10 AM | Permalink | TrackBack

January 10, 2005

Yahoo Weighs in with Desktop Search

Long anticipated, Yahoo finally released its desktop search application a few moments ago. Overall, I'm impressed with the product, even though it's little more than a Yahoo-skinned version of the X1 desktop search tool, at least at this point.

Upsides: Powerful search capability, supporting more than 200 file formats. Excellent filtering capability, allowing you to quickly pinpoint desired files. And a killer preview function which displays documents and even queues up multimedia files in Windows media player.

Downsides: Virtually no web search integration, and no indexing or caching of web pages viewed—one of Google Desktop's strongest features. But Yahoo calls this a "living beta" and says that will change soon. Read on for more in today's SearchDay article, Yahoo Launches Desktop Search.

Posted by Chris Sherman at 11:59 PM | Permalink | TrackBack

Leading Korean Search Engine Launches Desktop Search App

The Korean Herald reports: NHN joins desktop search competition, that NHN Corp owners of leading Korean search engine Naver.com are now offering a desktop search application.

NHN's desktop search, a free software that puts an icon on the task bar of Microsoft's Windows operating system, allows people to scan their computers for information in the same way they use Naver to search the Web. The software, which works on Windows 98 and versions above, may be downloaded at http://jump.naver.com/desk.

The article goes on to say that Daum Communications Co., Korea's largest e-mail service provider, has plans to offer a desktop search client this year.

Posted by Gary Price at 11:25 AM | Permalink | TrackBack

January 6, 2005

Mac Version of Blinkx Coming Next Week

On Monday, Blinkx will launch a verion of its app for the Mac. It includes desktop search functionality.

Mac versions are something that many other well-known desktop search tools (Google, Copernic, Microsoft, X1, Jeeves, etc.) are not offering at the present time. Details in the InternetNews.com article: Blinkx Brings Desktop Search to Macs. The full text of the Blinkx annoucement is posted on Searchblog.

Posted by Gary Price at 6:44 PM | Permalink | TrackBack

January 4, 2005

Desktop Search Rated: Copernic Tops

Keeper Finders from Slate gives you a fast rundown on new programs in desktop search, along with grades. Copernic comes up tops with an A. MSN follows with a B. Google's third with a C+, followed by HotBot (C) and Ask Jeeves (D).

Posted by Danny Sullivan at 9:24 AM | Permalink | TrackBack

January 3, 2005

Using a Video Camera to Help Organize and Search Your Documents

Here's an item to place in your future search and retrieve technology file. A report from Technology Research News: Video Organizes Paper Documents, discusses protoype technology that utilizes a video camera to, "track physical documents on a desk and automatically link them to appropriate electronic documents."

The story goes on to say that, "users can find a document using keywords, document appearance, or by how recently a paper was moved. A user can ask, for example, 'Where is my W-2 form?' The photo-sorting application allows users to sort digital photographs using printouts of the photos."

The technology was presented at the User Interface Software and Technology 2004 in October. Researchers say the technology is still three to four years away from general availabilty.

The paper presented at the conference is titled, Video-Based Document Tracking: Unifying Your Physical and Electronic Desktops, and was written by researchers at the University of Washington and Microsoft and is available here (PDF).

Posted by Gary Price at 1:32 PM | Permalink | TrackBack

December 20, 2004

Desktop Search Matrix Available

Goebel Group, a systems intergrator, has put together a handy matrix that allows you to compare the easily compare the capabilities of several desktop search applications. The document is free and available here.

Desktop Search Tools Featured: Ask Jeeves Blinkx Copernic dtSearch Google ISYS MSN X1 Yahoo Desktop

Posted by Gary Price at 11:27 AM | Permalink | TrackBack

December 15, 2004

Ask Jeeves Desktop Search Now Available

We knew it was coming and here it is: Ask Jeeves Desktop Search. I haven't had a chance to download the app and let it my index hard drive yet, but I've got a quick overview of the program in today's SearchDay, Ask Jeeves Launches Desktop Search. When I've had a chance to thoroughly test the new app, I'll report back.

Posted by Gary Price at 7:25 PM | Permalink | TrackBack

December 14, 2004

Gartner Tells Businesses To Stay Away from Google Desktop Search

In Google desktop search not enterprise-ready from News.com, you'll read about Gartner telling businesses to avoid GDS in a corporate setting.

"We have no problem with it being used for personal use," said Gartner research director Maurene Grey. "Our concern is (that) when it is used in a corporation, we have some security and privacy issues. Google says it will collect only nonpersonal data, but in a corporation how can you monitor what's being collected?"

You can read about how desktop search tools might eventually become a new target for virus writers from News.com.

Posted by Gary Price at 5:58 PM | Permalink | TrackBack

December 13, 2004

MSN's Desktop Search is Here (finally)

The long anticipated MSN Desktop Search application finally made its debut today, joining the horse race that's shaping up between Google Desktop, the forthcoming desktop search applications from Ask Jeeves and Yahoo, and offerings from smaller companies such as Copernic, Blinkx, Autonomy and many others.

My initial impressions of the application are favorable. The program is fast, results are generally high quality, and the indexer is polite, playing nice (so far) with other desktop search applications. About the only downside is that MSN has embedded desktop search into its search toolbar, taking up yet more precious browser window space. But this is a minor quibble given the functionality built into both the toolbar and the desktop search app. For more, read on in today's SearchDay article MSN Joins the Desktop Search Fray.

Posted by Chris Sherman at 3:52 PM | Permalink | TrackBack

MSN Releases Desktop Search App

A beta version of the MSN Desktop Search app has just been released. It's part of the MSN Toolbar Suite Beta. Here's the news release.

A few notes:

+ A 4.8MB download + Does not index cached web pages + No https indexing + No local info/search terms sent over the web + Will index MSN Messenger material

Also, you can view a couple of intereviews with the MSN Toolbar Suite team here.

More soon.

Posted by Gary Price at 1:35 PM | Permalink | TrackBack

December 10, 2004

Yes, AOL Desktop Search Uses Copernic!

Deep in my write-up on Yahoo's desktop search plans earlier today, I recapped the status of desktop search for the other players including AOL. An important point buried in there I should have broken out -- AOL's tool, bundled into its browser, is powered by the Copernic tool. So I'm fixing that now :)

More details are in my original story. The partnership should be a key one to soon-to-be-Mamma.com-owned Copernic, having a great product but until now lacking the distribution of the major search engines.

And a hat tip to reader John C, who alerted me to this back in November. He pointed me to a message board post mentioning that the technology was going to be used. I've just been so swamped that it took until today for me to finally download the AOL Browser and verify this for myself.

It's surprising it's not been mentioned before. It's a public beta that any AOL user can enter, as explained in my story. And any AOL user who clicked on the About menu for the desktop search feature would have gotten this big window:

So -- if it was a secret, it was poorly kept for ages. Very odd Copernic hasn't mentioned it before themselves.

Postscript: Michael Bazeley at SiliconBeat has a quote from Copernic CEO David Burns suggesting that due diligence around the Mamma.com-Copernic acquisition has prevented Copernic from talking about this.

Posted by Danny Sullivan at 4:42 PM | Permalink | TrackBack

Yahoo Details Desktop Search Plans; Ask Jeeves & MSN Launch This Month

Yahoo has announced that it will release a desktop search product after the New Year, putting the search engine firmly in the desktop search race that Google kicked off earlier this year and that other major search engines have already declared that they'd be entering as well.

Ask Jeeves, Microsoft's MSN and AOL have all confirmed to date that they will launch desktop search applications, leaving Yahoo as the only major service remaining only in "rumor" status. That's now ended.

Yahoo's Plan

Yahoo plans to release a licensed version of X1, a powerful but relatively expensive tool that was recently rated well by CNET. Unlike X1, Yahoo's version will be offered free to consumers. Yahoo also promises integration with Yahoo's web search and other vertical search properties, an integration that will grow over the coming year, as the tool matures.

How exactly that integration will happen remains to be seen. The tool is only now going into non-public beta test, and I haven't yet gotten a copy to play with. We'll report more when that becomes available.

Yahoo did say that it plans for any integration to prevent leakage of desktop search queries from getting back to Yahoo itself. This has been an issue for some with Google's service.

For the most part, Google will have no idea of what someone's searching for on their own computer. However, in some instances where people go from web to desktop results or vice versa, Google could tell that a particular query term has what I call "desktop intent." Yahoo tells me that its tool will eliminate this entirely.

File Types & Interface Issues

Yahoo also touts that its tool will index many more file types than Google's. It's true that Google's tool is restricted compared to existing tools out there, such as X1 or Copernic, in terms of file coverage. But for many, what Google currently covers may be enough -- and it's an incredibly easy tool to download and install.

At only 450K, grabbing the Google application for use takes no more bandwidth than reading a few web pages. In contrast, the current X1 tool is a 6.3MB download. Yahoo's version may be lighter, which would help in reaching out to the broadband-challenged.

Personally, I've also found Google's application-less interface to be very compelling. Unlike other desktop search programs, Google Desktop doesn't require that you go into a particular program to do your search. Instead, you use a web page that looks just like the Google home page, and you get back results that look just like ordinary Google web results. The format is easy to understand and user-friendly.

The downside is Google doesn't provide some of the sorting and refinement options that rival tools offer. Yahoo hopes that will be another reason that consumers seek out its tool.

Yahoo's tool will also offer taskbar searching. This means that you can search using a box on the Windows taskbar. That would be helpful, given that I currently find it incredibly inconvenient that if I don't have a browser open, I've got to take an extra step to start searching with Google Desktop.

I've asked Google if there are plans to add a "Desktop" search option to its popular Google Toolbar or Google Deskbar. The response was the standard "no plans to announce but it's something we'd consider" line. Well, start considering soon! FYI, there is a workaround on this for Google Deskbar users.

Release Dates

Yahoo tells me its tool will go out to the public in early January. That's going to put it behind Ask Jeeves, which launches its own tool next week on December 15. MSN will also be out with its own tool by the end of the year. I'm working with a beta release of that right now but can't comment more beyond that. Instead, here's the latest statement the company is issuing on the subject:

"We have publicly stated that it is our intention to release a beta of our new desktop search technology by the end of the calendar year in the US and our timeline is driven by the quality of the service - we will launch MSN desktop search when we feel that the service has met the quality bar our consumers expect and deserve," said Justin Osmer, MSN product manager.

And AOL? The company plans its own desktop search application that is packaged as part of the new AOL browser that's in beta testing. Any AOL member can access this by signing into AOL, then using the keyword "beta" to reach the beta download area. I've just downloaded the beta but haven't had a chance to play with it. But the desktop search is powered by Copernic, another well regarded desktop search app. It was CNET's editor's choice in a recent review of desktop search apps. (Google Desktop was unrated in that review because it was too new but drew plenty of praise).

And so the timeline recap:

• October 14: Google Desktop released
• December 15: Ask Jeeves desktop search due for release
• December 31: MSN desktop search due for release by this date or earlier
• January 31: Yahoo desktop search due for release by this date or earlier
• Sometime In 2005: AOL's combined browser and desktop search should be out at some point

Desktop Search Winner? Searchers!

Will Google having been first give it a key advantage over rivals? Honestly, who knows? We know that over half-a-million people downloaded it in the first two weeks according to Majestic Research. The downloads since almost certainly have exceeded a million if not more, though the actual installed user base is unknown.

As said, the tool is light to download, easy to use and useful enough for many people. In addition, I'd consider it a key search memory feature for Google, which otherwise lacks this type of personalization that most of its rivals offer. More on this in my review of the tool: Google Desktop Search Launched.

On the flipside, the more powerful features some of the rival tools offer, combined with the distribution through major search sites, will certainly grab other users. Those wanting to do MP3, photo or PDF searching, for example, need something other than Google Desktop -- at least unless Google begins to upgrade its beta product.

So who will win the hearts-and-minds of desktop searchers remains to be seen. Chances are, everyone's going to get a share. But the real winners are the desktop searchers themselves. We started 2004 with only a few fee-based desktop search tools. We're going to end with a great selection of free ones, finally -- and long-overdue -- making it easy for anyone to find material on their own computers as they can in searching the entire web.

For more on desktop search, see our Desktop Search category. It lists all stories previously we've previously blogged on the topic. It's available to Search Engine Watch members.

Posted by Danny Sullivan at 2:20 AM | Permalink | TrackBack

December 7, 2004

Getting Closer to the Searcher

BBC Online takes a look at My Ask Jeeves (just launched on Jeeves UK) and Blinkx in the article: Search sites get closer to users.

"Blinkx users do not stop using other web search systems," he [Suranga Chandratillake, co-founder of Blinkx] said.

"They might use Google to look up a company, or Yahoo for travel because they know they are good at that," he said.

The variety of ways to search data was only helping users, said Mr Chandratillake and that it was likely that in the future people would use different ones for different tasks.

Posted by Gary Price at 4:21 PM | Permalink | TrackBack

New Version of Copernic's Desktop Search App Released

Copernic has released a new version (v 1.2) of its impressive desktop search app.

According to this announcement, the new version includes: + Full support for Firefox (history and bookmarks indexing) + Support for the latest PDF file format (v1.5) + A redesigned user interface for Web searching + Improved handling of French, German, Spanish and Italian content

You can read our positive review of Copernic Desktop Search in SearchDay article: A New Player in Desktop Search.

Mamma.com recently announced plans to acquire Copernic.

Posted by Gary Price at 11:10 AM | Permalink | TrackBack

November 29, 2004

Autonomy Enters Desktop Search War

Add another player in the desktop search war. Autonomy has jumped in with a new product aimed at the enterprise market. More in this ZDNet UK story. Autonomy's new product offers something called "Active Folders" and has a description that sounds VERY similar to the "Smart Folders" feature that Blinkx just unveiled in their 2.0 release.

Surprised by the similar sounding technology? Not at all. It's known that Blinkx licenses some of Autonomy's technology for their "conceptual" and consumer focused search app.

Also, "Blinkx co-founder, Suranga Chandratillak formerly worked for Autonomy, a San Francisco company that develops search technology for businesses to use in-house. Chandratillake realized that Autonomy's 'conceptual search' technology would be useful to consumers." -San Jose Mercury News, 6/10/2004

Posted by Gary Price at 1:58 PM | Permalink | TrackBack

November 23, 2004

Desktop Search: Google vs. Copernic

Dan Verton offers a review of Google Desktop Search (GDS) and Copernic Desktop Search (CDS) in the article: Are desktop search programs ready for prime time? Verton likes both apps but prefers Copernic's product.

Posted by Gary Price at 10:55 AM | Permalink | TrackBack

November 14, 2004

Blinkx 2.0 Now Available

Blinkx, the web application that helps you find releated material based on the context of what you're currently viewing in your browser window (they call it implicit query), has a new verision (Blinkx 2.0) available. I'm going to download the new version (it's a 6.7 MB file) and spend some time testing it out. Stay tuned.

From the news release, A key attribute of 2.0 is the introduction of the world’s first Smart Folders. Smart Folders are intelligent folders that automatically update their content as new information becomes available based on the ideas contained within the content of those files. Each Smart Folder contains content from multiple sources that is individually relevant to each individual, and acts as a persistent implicit query. Other features announced today include "Stuff I’ve Seen" (SIS), which acts as a contextual historical record of an individuals viewed files, and the ability of blinkx 2.0 to implicitly query peer-to-peer networks.

NOTE: Microsoft Research also has protoype named Stuff I've Seen.

Blinkx is available for MS 2000 and XP only.

Posted by Gary Price at 9:00 PM | Permalink | TrackBack

An Early Look at MSN Desktop Search

Tom Warren over at Neowin has just posted an early look (loaded with screenshots) at MS's desktop search product and the toolbar/deskbar suite that is scheduled for release in the next six weeks.

Chris wrote in his MSN Search article last week: "I've seen a demo of the desktop search application and am impressed with its capabilities but a non-disclosure agreement prohibits me from writing anything more about it until it's actually released."

Posted by Gary Price at 12:09 PM | Permalink | TrackBack

November 2, 2004

Desktop Search & The Search Marketer

Fredrick Marckini weighs in on how desktop search may impact search marketing: Google's Desktop Search Could Change SEM Forever, from ClickZ.

A key point is his prediction that getting us to search our desktops will lead to more searching of all types -- and thus more inventory for the search marketer to target. That's certainly what Google is hoping for.

He also looks at how search marketers may want to ensure they track when pages appear in Google Desktop cached results, as this will reflect a long-term "win" with searchers. They didn't just see your page once; they now may see it prominently in response to other searches over time.

As I explained in my article about Google Desktop, the tool is giving users personal search memory features that have also rolled out on other search engines, such as Yahoo and Ask Jeeves. For a further look at how these personal search feature may impact search marketers, see my Search Personalization: A Marketer's Perspective article for Search Engine Watch members.

Posted by Danny Sullivan at 11:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Semel: Yahoo Working on Desktop Search

No surprise here.

While speaking at an investment conference on Monday, Yahoo's CEO Terry Semel said his company is building a desktop search tool.

"Yahoo is working on it. In short course, we'll have a desktop solution as well." He did not say specifically when Yahoo's desktop search program would be released.

Semel also told the audience that he plans to stay at Yahoo. Recently, there was some speculation in the press that he might be a contender for the CEO position at Disney.

and in other Yahoo news...

+ Yahoo has named Lloyd Braun, recently chairman of ABC Entertainment Television Group, to lead Yahoo's media and entertainment division. More in this Reuters article and the news release.

Posted by Gary Price at 8:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

November 1, 2004

Blinkx Names CEO

Reuters reports that Blinkx has named a CEO.

Effective immediately, Mark Opzoomer, former managing director of Yahoo Europe, is at the helm.

The Reuters story goes on to mention that Microsoft has plans, "to launch a test version of Blinkx's desktop search." News to me.

Also, Rafe Needleman at AlwaysOn sits down with Blinkx co-founder, Suranga Chandratillake, and asks, "how Blinkx will survive the Google onslaught."

Posted by Gary Price at 8:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 31, 2004

Google Desktop for the Mac?

Here's a look at three Google stories making the rounds.

+ Google Will Offer Desktop Search for the Mac (via Reuters)

Schmidt did not set a timetable for a Mac version of Google Desktop, saying it had to be rebuilt from the ground up because of the fundamental differences between the Mac OS and Windows.

"We intend to do it," Schmidt said at a University of California-Los Angeles conference commemorating the 35th anniversary of the Internet. > Update: Greg points us to a post on BoingBoing that says Reuters got the story wrong.

+ Steve Rubel at Micro Persuasion reports that Google's Director of Corporate PR, David Krane, is blogging.

+ Google guru shares words of wisdom (via San Jose Mercury News) "Ram Shriram, one of Google's earliest gurus, held court Thursday evening before a crowd of a couple hundred people.

It's all in the grooming. Shriram set out to make sure Page & Brin hired only the very best, or "A" people. He cited the well-known Silicon Valley tenet: Hire only A people, and they'll hire other A people. If you hire the B person, they'll hire C or D people. Someone asked a good question: How did Shriram decide who are so-called A people? Grooming is a part of it. ``I try to find out who their mothers are,'' he said. If they are raised well, they're more likely to make good citizens, employees and entrepreneurs.

Posted by Gary Price at 11:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 22, 2004

Microsoft Desktop Search Beta Coming Soon

News.com reports in the article: Microsoft fixes date for desktop search tool, that the company will offer up a beta release of a desktop search by the end of this year.

During its earnings call with financial analysts, Microsoft said an MSN-branded tool would be made available before the end of 2004. The tool and an algorithmic Web searching engine will be in beta testing by year's end, a representative said on Friday.

A "technology preview" of MSN's web engine is currently available.

This is the desktop search tool that was shown to financial analysts at a July meeting by MSN's Yusuf Mehdi.

Posted by Gary Price at 5:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 18, 2004

Copernic Releases New Version of Desktop Search Tool

Copernic Desktop Search (CDS), a product I reviewed (and still like a lot), released version 1.1 today. It includes a couple of new features and improved performance.

CNET recently published a review of 6 desktop apps (Google, Blinx, Lookout, Copernic, x1, Hotbot) and gave its "Editor's Choice" award to CDS.

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October 17, 2004

More Google Desktop Privacy Worries & A Microsofty's Fear

Another Google Desktop security issue to consider. I was forwarded a note of shock about someone who used Google Desktop and found it was caching his banking details (the same person, it should be said, failed to eliminate those details in the screenshot example illustrating this privacy concern).

Yep, GDS will do this, IF you allow it. Google obviously understood this concern, because it gives you an option to disable caching secure web pages.

Eric Baillargeon illustrates the option in his Google Desktop : Security Warning post. Details directly from Google are here: How can I keep private information out of my results?

Meanwhile, Google Desktop-rival Copernic is touting the privacy angle as a weakness. Google Desktop privacy branded 'unacceptable' from The Register has quotes from that Copernic's CEO David Burns.

David's "stick your hand up if you want Google to know what pictures you have, and what MP3 files you have," quote is a bit extreme. So far, there's no indication the tool is going to report back to Google about what data is stored on your desktop (and its image/MP3 search capabilities in particular are rudimentary, to say the least)

David sent me a similar comment in an email discussion we've had on the issue. He was more general in that, suggesting people would be freaked out if you told them their "private content search keywords" would be sent out over the public internet.

My response was that people kind of do this already. They search for lots of things that are very private via the public web. It's just that many of them don't realize this.

Should they be worried? Aware, yes -- but probably not too worried. My More On Google & Other Desktop Search Stuff expands on this more. See also my A Closer Look At Privacy & Desktop Search and my Search Privacy At Google & Other Search Engines articles.

Meanwhile, the headline of a new San Jose Mercury News article should make Gmail is too creepy author Daniel Brandt smile.

The mainstream Merc writes in Google's Desktop Search is valuable, yet creepy about how the tool keeps track of IM chats some might think are private, how things deleted on your computer are still retained in Google Desktop and how, as mentioned, secure pages can be indexed.

By the way, the version of our Google Desktop review for Search Engine Watch members goes into depth out the issue with deletions still being retained and how things like clearing your internet cache do NOT clear a record of your browsing in Google Desktop.

Finally, another interesting angle on the Google Desktop launch. Uh-oh, it's google spotted via Dirson has someone who apparently works for Microsoft worrying that he's getting so tied to Google that "Google is kicking our butt."

Want to discuss or comment on this post? Visit our Google Launches a Desktop Search Tool forum thread.

Posted by Danny Sullivan at 10:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 15, 2004

Free Copies Of X1 Desktop Search Going Fast

Idealab's given Jason Calacanis 100 free copies to the X1 desktop search tool to give away to his readers. Want a copy? Visit his post and link to it.

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More On Google & Other Desktop Search Stuff

Below, some assorted reports and comments on Google's new desktop search tool and other similar tools. They cover: a workaround for getting Firefox data tracked by GDS (the acronym that I see in growing use for Google Desktop Search), one blogger's fear GDS has made his computer unstable, AOL confirming it has its own product coming, a recap of products from Google rivals and existing desktop tools, reports of more than a C drive being indexed and revisiting desktop search privacy issues.

Various Reports

• Firefox history in Google Desktop Search from Jon Udell explains how you can add a hack that lets Google Desktop Search keep track of what you view in the Firefox browser.  
• A coincidence? from Dave Winer has him uninstalling the tool after finding his system becoming unstable. So far, I've been OK.  
• Google Launches Surprise Release of Desktop Search from Brad Hill finds that more than his C drive is getting indexed. That's great -- wish it was the case with me, as well. Officially, Google says that only a primary hard drive will be indexed.  
• Google Desktop from Jason Kottke has a lot of great comments where others are sharing their experiences and tips, including how the cache lets you see document such as Word that may have been password protected.  
• We had a roundup of coverage yesterday. If we missed something, Nathan Weinberg's probably got it in Who's Talking About Google Desktop? Everyone!  
• The day after Google released desktop search engine from Robert Scoble has some kind words and also ponders speculation that Google pushed its tool faster than it may have wanted to. Could all those Microsoft search champs, having seen some neat things under NDA, helped light a fire?

Other Desktop Search Products

Robert Scoble hints at what the search champs may have seen without saying it, a Microsoft desktop search tool. I've seen it during my visit up Redmond-way last July. NDA also prevents me from providing specific details about it, but MSN is talking publicly that it will be a standalone application out before the end of the year: MSN Desktop Search Still To Come This Year, Despite Longhorn Delay.

What about AOL, rumored this week to be readying its own tool? The company now confirms that it will have its own desktop search integrated as part of a new AOL browser being tested. More from News.com: AOL launches new portal, tests desktop search.

FYI, Ask Jeeves also plans to release its own later this year. A tool from Yahoo remains a rumor, but one that's not hard to believe.

Via the comments over at John Battelle's summary of some GDS coverage, I came across Michael Wexler's great introduction to desktop searching, along with a list and review of various products: Desktop Search, or just where did I leave that knowledge?

We've mentioned some of