Google Desktop: A Different Kind of Search How Does Google Desktop Work? Gerry Blackwell
How Does Google Desktop Work?
No, it has nothing to do with pigeons! (See Google's tongue-in-cheek explanation of how its technology works.)
When you install the download, Google Desktop immediately begins indexing the files on your hard drive. This can take hours, but don't worry, you can continue to use your computer and it shouldn't effect performance, although Google does recommend you install the program just before you go off for lunch or at the end of the day.
The program analyzes the content of files, sorting every word and storing the resulting index of words in a big database. When you search using Google Desktop, its query processor compares your query to the index and recommends documents it considers most relevant. It's essentially the same process Google uses when searching the Web.
Rapid Results — Google Desktop searches your computer for eight different types of files, and searches rarely last more than two seconds.
Google keeps the index up to date by continually indexing new files as they're created. A memory-resident portion of the program, similar to Google's Googlebot or Web crawler, continually monitors your activity and indexes or re-indexes any compatible files you create or modify.
Google stores the indexes on your PC in the C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Google Desktop Search sub-folder (where username is your user name). Not that there's any reason for you to ever monkey with them.
This Desktop bot takes up about 10MB of memory on most computers. It goes about its work without using very much in the way of computing resources, though. I have noticed no slow-down in my computer since installing Google Desktop.
The Google Desktop database can reach a significant size, but not as big as it might. This is because Google uses sophisticated compression technology. It can store indexing information for 10,000 items in under 80MB. While this is certainly not a trivial amount of storage, given that the cost of hard disk capacity has come way down in recent months (250 gigabytes for less than $200) and given how useful this product is, it's a small price to pay.
What About Privacy?
Now, if you're like most people, you might be concerned about whether or not anyone – Google included – can access the data on your PC. The company takes pains to point out that none of your indexed information ever leaves your computer. You can read more about Google Desktop's privacy policy on the Web site.
The Bottom Line
If you factor in the few seconds it takes to search, plus the time to sort through the results, Google Desktop is hands down faster than other search utilities, especially the ones that come with Windows, Word, and Outlook.
In fact, what's not to like? Google Desktop works amazingly well, and it's free. Whether it permanently changes the way we all use computers remains to be seen.
Based in London, Canada, Gerry Blackwell has been writing about information technology and telecommunications for a variety of print and online publications since the 1980s. Just for fun, he also authors features and columns on digital photography for Here's How, a spiffy new Canadian consumer technology magazine.
