atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Computers & Programming Computers, Software, Accessories Goolge desktop search

I recently downloaded the new Google desktop search program. It will search your computer just like Google searches the web. There are few programs that make me take notice. This is one. Type in the word Nortel and you get back all the files and emails that contain the word "nortel". It really rocks, especially looking for info in old emails. It is free as well.

As long as you're the only one who uses the computer than it's great. If not then keep in mind that it's cache's everything you see on the screen and anyone can pull it up later. I use it, but I have nothing to hide...

does it actually cashe everything? as in keep a copy of everything? Sounds like a real drive hog if it does.
mark

my understanding is that it indexes as needed. I have not noticed anything slower.

Indexes rather than cache is right. Very little extra drive space is used up after a long period of time. It also is definitely NOT a resource hog.

The security issue is certainly there. Story goes that at CNET some geek loaded the it onto a couple of the common's computers in the morning. These are the ones available to convention goers to check webbased mail and surf some of the sites of displayers. Said geek went back to these computers in the afternoon, and with lots of people looking on, brought up over 40 webbased e-mail accounts that had the info upto the point that the user had checked their mail. He could even click on individual message headers and retrieve any of the e-mail that had been read online.

One of the users e-mail he got into was a VP of marketing for Sony (who was not amused, to say the least!).

He was not malicious, just did it to demonstrate the vast security hole this plugin creates.