[Felix The Assassin]

I'm not so sure I would want this much power from a plug-in that also has direct access to and from the internet. However, it appears the latest from google is all of that, and a 'bag of chips'!

I know my personal red flag/light is activated on this, but then again I dislike any intrusion.

From a newsletter.

Google invades my computer
When I heard about the new Google desktop application, I rushed to try it out. It loads into your browser and looks just like Google's online search engine, but this app searches your Microsoft documents, Outlook e-mail, Internet Explorer history, and instant-messenger chats. I've thrown various searches at it, and the results come up fast.

I've always been impressed by Google. Back in the '90s I switched search engines frequently, from Lycos to AltaVista to HotBot, with various stops in between. However, Google has remained my favorite the longest, and no competitor shows signs of usurping its position. Considering the term Googling is used in books and movies now, Google has a strong hold on the public at large.

I'm not sure how necessary this application is, however. I generally don't need to use search functions on my computer, because I know where I've put things--my folders represent a filing system I designed. Still, if Google Desktop Search changes the way I use my computer, I would call it revolutionary.

Wayne Cunningham
Senior Editor, CNET Download.com