Archive for June 10th, 2007

Google vs Vista Search

Sunday, June 10th, 2007

So Google is trying to get Microsoft in trouble over the alledged fact that there is no simple way to disable Windows Search, and that running Windows Search and Google Desktop on the same system is overtaxing the computers, and that Microsoft needs to... Do something about it. They don't really say what, it seems. Just that it needs fixed.

I am really disappointed with Google over this... Why? Well, let's see just how easy it is to shut off Windows Search:

Method One:

  1. Click the Start Menu.
  2. Type "control panel" in the little field there.
  3. Click "Control Panel" that shows up in the Stat Menu.
  4. Click "Classic View" if not already done.
    (Always use Classic View in the Control Panel!)
  5. Double-click the "Indexing Options" panel.
  6. Click the "Modify" button.
  7. Uncheck every location.
  8. Press OK.
  9. Press Close.

Look! All done. How much more simpler can it be? Do you want a big gigantic button sitting on the desktop that says "HEY! IF YOU DON'T WANT WINDOWS TO MAKE SEARCHES FASTER, AND INSTEAD, YOU WANT GOOGLE TO MAKE SEARCHES FASTER, PLEASE PRESS THIS BUTTON TO DISABLE WINDOWS SEARCH! COURTESY OF GOOGLE, IN COOPERATION WITH MICROSOFT."

Or, how about the alternative method?

Method Two:

  1. Open the Start Menu.
  2. Type "control panel" in the little field there.
  3. Click "Control Panel" that shows up in the Start Menu.
  4. Click "Classic View", if not already done, of course.
  5. Double-click "Administrative Tools".
  6. Double-click "Services".
  7. Double-click the "Windows Search" service.
  8. Change the startup type to "Disabled".
  9. Press OK.

Looky! Same amount of steps to completely disable Windows Search. What is Google thinking? Seriously, how much simpler can it be? If you can disable the Windows Search service, and the installed for Apache2Triad can install services, then surely Google, with all their technical prowess, can DISABLE the Windows Search service via their installer.

I don't get it at all... So much for Google's "do no evil" mantra. Have they forgotten that Apple has an OS-based search and indexing system, too? Google Desktop works on Mac, too, ya'know. Why aren't they calling out Apple on this, too?

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