Like its competitors, Copernic Desktop Search installs in less than five minutes and requires only 7.1MB of disk space. It uses a configuration wizard to lead you through the basics, such as which file and e-mail folders to index. Once setup is complete, Copernic creates a searchable index of your data, a speedy process that took roughly 15 minutes on our 10GB test drive, then updates the index every time you add or a remove files.
Copernic's interface is the best of the desktop search engines'. A left-side search column allows simple keyword queries or more refined sleuthing based on file size, date, type, or folder. A row of easy-to-read icons at the top of the screen allows you to limit searches by category: stored HTML pages, e-mail, pictures, videos, and so on. Like X1, Copernic is lightning quick, displaying search results as fast as you can type. We also liked the Copernic Deskbar, a search window that integrates with the Windows Taskbar and is handy for quick queries.
Alas, all isn't perfect. Copernic lacks viewers for the popular image formats, and its PowerPoint viewer doesn't display graphics. We'd also like an integrated media player to preview audio and video files.
The Copernic Web site offers a FAQ, and a general support tab within the app has more detailed support for Copernic Desktop Search.
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aussieotr
03/10/2008, 02:41 AM
rating
1/10
This program has been a long-time favourite but since upgrading to version 3.0 (Build 81), there has been nothing but problems. A perfect program has now begun to crash EVERY time I use it. It no longer shows you where the files are located even though it continues to sort searches by location (as per my settings). Unless a patch comes out soon, I'll be moving onto something more stable
Pros: Search is instant and comprehensive. Options let me schedule indexing or have indexing happen on the fly. No noticeable difference in PC performance while it's indexing.
Cons: Previous versions have all been a perfect dream. I've never had a glitch. Ever! But the current version 3.0 (Build 81) goes to the extreme opposite. It crashes EVERY time I use it, doesn't show file locations, and won't search as I type, despite having that option checked. I strongly recommend you wait for the next upgrade, which will hopefully fix all the glitches.
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pamur
14/02/2005, 05:12 AM
If it supported Thunderbird it would be a winner
I use Thunderbird/Firefox and none of the desktop searchers support these apps. But it does support Firefox so that is a start.
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