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Desktop Searching

Like in a web page but all over the desktop.
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I really apprection the highlight, find, or go to particular words function of the Google toolbar. What I'd like is to transfer that function to work in any desktop application. Say I'm looking at a list of 9000 photos, in My Pictures folder maybe, and I want to find one with 'rimjob' or 'sunset' in the name, but it's not the first word and I don't know what the first word is. I shouldn't have to use the Windows search function. I should be able to type it in a box and click the word and it'll scroll down to that word and highlight it like good old Google would in a heavy text webpage. [added May 13- So this would instantly search any OPEN windows, files, or tasks/applications for the words you enter, as you enter them, and take you there like Google.] Maybe with a text box always present in the taskbar. I don't know if this would be easy or even possible, but it seems like it could happen. Maybe there's something like this out there. I don't think Google Desktop can do this.
miggavin, May 13 2006

Google Desktop http://desktop.goog.../?promo=mp-gds-v1-1
I think this is what you want. [BJS, May 13 2006]

spotlight http://www.apple.co...features/spotlight/
what Foghorn dreams of being [xenzag, May 13 2006]

Google Toolbar http://www.google.c...features.html&hl=en
I think Desktop would list the highlight and wordfind features if it had them. [miggavin, May 13 2006]

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       Baked. You need to get yourself a Macintosh, and take a look at "Spotlight" which does exactly this, plus much more. The search is instant with results appearing even as you type in the words.   

       I always feel sorry for Windows users who long for what we Mac users have had for years. However, all is not lost - I think that Foghorn may copy this feature
xenzag, May 13 2006
  

       Easy in Linux too.
Galbinus_Caeli, May 13 2006
  

       I think Google already did that, it's called "Google Desktop"...
BJS, May 13 2006
  

       Well... it says:   

       Quickly search your computer for emails, web history, and files. View news, photos and more anywhere on your desktop. Add Google Gadgets to customize your desktop and Sidebar New! Developers: Create and share your own gadgets.
BJS, May 13 2006
  

       Specifically, the poster wants to search through the *names* of documents, not their contents.
jutta, May 13 2006
  

       The post was a bit vague. Names of documents yes, but only inasmuch as the words appears or would appear on your monitor by scrolling up or down or switching to a new already running task. Maybe Google desktop has this function, but it doesn't sound like it, seems like they'd list it as a feature in detail, as they do about their toolbar:

'Word Find Buttons Finding a particular word on a web page can be frustrating. With the Google Toolbar however you easily jump to the first instance of a word by typing it into the Toolbar search box, then clicking on the Toolbar's Word Find button to find each additional occurrence of the word.'

and also:

'Highlight Search Terms Once you've used the Google Toolbar to find a web page, there's no need to scroll around looking for your search terms. The Highlight button instantly lights them up on the page, making it easier to find relevant information.'

No mention of anything like this for the desktop. Maybe it's implied. Sounds like Macs are pretty smart. So Spotlight for WIndows is the idea.
miggavin, May 13 2006
  


 

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