Google Desktop

If you are not already using Google Desktop ,I think it is high time that you do it.
Google Desktop creates an index(or cache) of local files ,and let you search the files or what is contained in the file through a web browser much like the famous google internet search.
There are many advantages of Google Desktop
The new version allows you to get from stock rates ,weather to current news easily.It also allows you to search all files (or the files that you want to include in the index). For example if you had a pdf or a doc file containing some vital piece of information ,and after using the file you push the file to some unknown corner of the computer, your search option is the standard windows search.Unfortunately,it is not only slow but might take hours to find the relevant piece of information.
Enters, google desktop, you just type your search words in the google taskbar panel,and you get a chance to open the pdf file or the doc file pronto.
Google's desktop page lists the benefits
# Get all your personalized info in one place with Sidebar
# Launch applications and search instantly with Quick Find
# Find all your email, files, photos, web history, Gmail, and more
# Search conveniently in Outlook with the Outlook Toolbar
You can download the desktop it from here
There are also plugins which you can use to enhance the desktop.
Google desktop only works in WinXP and Win2k.
I must say that Windows also have an indexing service which could rightfully be said to be crap.It takes too much time, is not turned on by default,it does not allow resources to be free during computer usage(google desktop indexes only the computer is idle), and is too useless for discussion.