The "in" item for big four of the search industry (Google, Yahoo, MSN, and, Ask Jeeves) is Desktop Search utilities. By early next year, all the major search platforms will/should have a branded, functional Desktop Search (DTS) model for the masses to use.
WebProWorld Currently, MSN have working public beta models of their DTS utility, while Ask's should be available at announced that they will be providing a DTS utility in early 2005. To be sure, search engines aren't the only companies considering entering the desktop search "industry." ISP leader America Online announced a partnership with popular DTS developer Copernic. AOL is offering members the opportunity to download an AOL-branded search utility, powered by Copernic's software. And last, but certainly not least, Apple will also be including reviews of most all of the available utilities, save upcoming Ask tool. Seattle PI's- Marketshare - if I use MSN Toolbar for desktop search, I'll probably use for Web, too. And maybe MSN Messenger, Hotmail, MSN blogs...
- (Possibly) gathering search trend data and selling it on
- (Possibly) selling add-ons to free desktop search tools that connect them to enterprise search solutions
- Personalization and localization of web search results via user profile in tool / related service profile (MSN Passport, Yahoo accounts) The above motives for developing a DTS utility are all sound. However, because of the nature of many of these tools, a few security issues have started popping up that may damage their monetary potential unless they are addressed. In an article that appeared on security guru Bruce Schneier detailed the threats contained by Google's tool. "The problem is that GDS indexes and finds documents that you may prefer not be found. For example, GDS searches your browser's cache. This allows it to find old Web pages you've visited, including online banking summaries, personal messages sent from Web e-mail programs and password-protected personal Web pages." Because GDS does its job exactly how it was designed, an unprotected computer with the utility installed could very well be a target. However, Schneier defends Google's product BECAUSE it does what it was developed to do. "GDS is very good at searching. It's so good that it exposes vulnerabilities on your computer that you didn't know about. And now that you know about them, pressure your software vendors to fix them. Don't shoot the messenger." Google's tool wasn't the only tool to receive criticism either. Yahoo, who will be releasing their X-1 powered DTS tool in January, also had some jabs thrown their way. I, Brian at latest search news.
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