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Desktop search application suggestions?
April 6, 2010
6:52 AM
6:52 AM
Harlan
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I have tried desktop search software in the past but never kept it because it never seemed to do much that Windows search didn't do just as well. I used .pst files heavily to store my e-mails, and none of the search software indexed those e-mails, not even the ones from Miicrosoft. I'm thinking about it again, though, since I have about 10,000 e-mails and another 10,000 MS Office files (mostly Excel 2003 spreadsheets) on my HD. I no longer use .pst files, so that's no longer a concern.
Does anyone have any experience with the available freeware options (MS Search 4.0, Copernicus Basic, Google DT Search, etc.)? Any opinions on the various strengths and weaknesses, or capabilities? I know that I want something that indexes content, not just file names and metadata.
April 6, 2010
2:18 PM
2:18 PM
Jyo
NY
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You can try these:
VoidTools Everything (my Favorite for its scary speed and efficiency) – mentioned here in dotTech too.
or
Not sure what you mean by indexing content. Do you mean like file extensions (because these do determine what their content will be)?
April 6, 2010
6:38 PM
6:38 PM
jumbi
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Everything is just great, but Harlan asks for another thing.
pst contents cannot be covered by everything.
Havent searched about that and I am curious for the possible solutions.
P.S. How are you doing now Harlan, without the pst files? just gmail?
April 7, 2010
4:12 AM
4:12 AM
Harlan
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Thanks for the suggestions.
I want to index the content of my e-mails and those files where it makes sense, such as .txt and .doc files.
I previously used .pst files to store e-mails on my laptop's hard drive, so it would not count against my server's e-mail storage quota, and so I could decide when to delete e-mails rather than being subject to an arbitrary retention period. I am no longer subject to a storage quota, and my concerns about retention are less important to me than my concerns about losing all of my carefully managed .pst file data. Did you know that you can irretrievably delete five years of e-mails in a .pst file in about 2 seconds? 
Anyway, I just leave everything on the server I am attached to, and let someone else worry about backups.
Anyway, I just leave everything on the server I am attached to, and let someone else worry about backups.I've installed Windows Search 4.0, which MS Update has been "suggesting" to me for at least a year, and it appears to provide basic functionality, including limited content indexing. So I plan to keep it until/unless I find something that is better in some way. I'm still open to suggestions.
April 7, 2010
7:12 AM
7:12 AM
jumbi
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Thanks for the input Harlan (and for creating the topic).
I also have (and still use) pst files, going back to 2001, when I started organizing my emails. At some moment I will need to retrieve information and a tool for content searching will be invaluable.
So, I am also interested to suggestions.
April 7, 2010
4:24 PM
4:24 PM
yourpalal
Inner Peace
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I'm not sure if this will help, but here is a free program that has several search features:
It's called:
Everything search engine
Locate files and folders by name instantly.
And here's just a few items in their FAQs section"
1.1 What is "Everything"?
"Everything" is an administrative tool that locates files and folders by filename instantly for Windows.
Unlike Windows search "Everything" initially displays every file and folder on your computer (hence the name "Everything").
You type in a search filter to limit what files and folders are displayed.
1.2 How long will it take to index my files?
"Everything" only uses file and folder names and generally takes a few seconds to build it's database.
A fresh install of Windows XP SP2 (about 20,000 files) will take about 1 second to index.
1,000,000 files will take about 1 minute.
1.3 Does Everything search file contents?
No, "Everything" does not search file contents, only file and folder names.
Hope this is of some use
your pal
Al
Life is just a phase you're going through…you'll get over it.
April 7, 2010
9:16 PM
9:16 PM
jumbi
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# yourpalal
Forgive me, but have you bothered to read the comments above?!
Or perhaps you are kidding us…
Except from my comments about everything, you have replied also thats its not applicable here !
"1.3
Does Everything search file contents?
No, "Everything" does not search file contents, only file and folder
names."
???!!!
April 7, 2010
9:55 PM
9:55 PM
yourpalal
Inner Peace
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jumbi said:
# yourpalal
Forgive me, but have you bothered to read the comments above?!
Or perhaps you are kidding us…
Except from my comments about everything, you have replied also thats its not applicable here !
"1.3
Does Everything search file contents?No, "Everything" does not search file contents, only file and folder
names."
???!!!
"Or perhaps you are kidding us…"
Well I'm sorry, but I started my post with:
"I'm not sure if this will help,…"
I was just trying to help & did bother to read the comments, but did not know exactly what someone was looking for, &, no, I'm not very tech savvy.
When someone is trying to help here, even if they are way off base like I was, please respect that some of us are still learning [I had to overcome tremendous obstacles, but went back to college 5 years ago, & knew absolutely nothing then about computers (by itself that was a nightmare) & have struggled the hard way, by trial-and error, by making countless mistakes & errors (some are funny now--weren't back then)].
Putting someone down for trying to help is rarely seen here (standard procedure on forums like GOTD), & while I'm understanding & tolerant, others here--especially newcomers--may feel that that its better to not join in than to have someone berate or try to embarrass them, just because they are not as knowledgeable as the self-acclaimed experts! Remember please, that no one here knows everything, & we all stared out ignorant, until we began to learn.
This has been a forum that I have learned so much from, & for that, I'm very grateful. I hope we can continue to encourage discussions here, regardless of level or skill.
I also want to acknowledge all those who have helped me. Thanks to all.
Al
Life is just a phase you're going through…you'll get over it.
April 7, 2010
10:52 PM
10:52 PM
Locutus
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@jumbi: @al: Let's just cool off.
(the job of a mod is never over :P)
Oh, the site that was :(
April 8, 2010
2:38 PM
2:38 PM
jumbi
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# yourpalal
Ok, sorry for my behaviour and sorry that you did write such a long clear reply.
(I thought initially that you are one of those persons who write comments just to gain forum points and I reacted bad :-)
And no worries about newcomers and tech gurus, we all have many new things to learn. Piece.
April 8, 2010
4:20 PM
4:20 PM
yourpalal
Inner Peace
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jumbi said:
# yourpalal
Ok, sorry for my behaviour and sorry that you did write such a long clear reply.
(I thought initially that you are one of those persons who write comments just to gain forum points and I reacted bad :-)
And no worries about newcomers and tech gurus, we all have many new things to learn. Piece.
Hey jumbi
Thanks for explaining your part & for your apology. Now I know where you were coming from, & to be frank, I'm glad to know that. Maybe this is a good lesson for all to learn from, but can only speak for myself, in that I surely have. I also want to say that we are now on the same wavelength, & I'll do my part to not be too defensive.
That being said,……….. on to the forums.
Thanks again.
Al
Life is just a phase you're going through…you'll get over it.
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