Vista Search Engine

[couttsj]

I finally got so tired of the speed and inaccuracy of the Vista search engine that I went searching for an alternative. I found what appears to be a good alternative in Agent Ransack. To demonstrate, I restarted the system and asked the Vista utility under advanced search to search the C: drive and all sub folders (including non-indexed, hidden, and system files) modified on Dec. 26, 2008. It took 3 minutes and 53 seconds to find 39 files and 16 directories (indexing is turned off).

I restarted again, and asked Agent Ransack for files modified after Dec. 25, 2008 and before Dec. 27, 2008. It found 45 files and 18 directories in 40 seconds. The free version of Agent Ransack won't search archive files (eg. ZIP files), but I don't want that anyway. It appears to be a good alternative and has a relatively small footprint.

J.A. Coutts

[Just Rachel]

I replaced my search engine recently with the free version of Ava Find.  Why can't Microsoft do as well as these free programs??

[Spawn]

I just don't get it.  I guess people use the search feature more than I thought for detailed reasons that do not affect me.  The start search is super fast, and finds things as you type each letter instantly, but I only use it occasionally for fun. I know where everything else is that I care about and it's all organized, so I rarely have a need to do an in depth search.  As a matter of fact...I don't think I have ever used a Windows search.

Unless it is some IT work related stuff that I am not aware of, why do you need to do all of this in depth searching in the first place?

Spawn

[couttsj]

Unless it is some IT work related stuff that I am not aware of, why do you need to do all of this in depth searching in the first place?

Spawn

Sometimes I know a file exists on the disk, but I don't know exactly where it is or it's exact spelling. For example, if I know it is a .DOC file, I will search for all files with that extension (*.doc). But most often I use the search to find out what the operating system is doing by searching for the date modified. That's where the Microsoft search is useless because it wants to hide all that information. I have also used it on a number of occasions to find out what malware has done to a machine. People often don't realize that when they get infected with a backdoor trojan, that is just the beginning. I will go back and find the date and time on the trojan loader, and then search the disk for any file modified since that date (after removing the trojan). It is amazing where you will find that stuff sometimes. One of the favorite places has been the Recycle directory because it is hidden and the Microsoft search engine never searches there (even in XP).

J.A. Coutts

[Spawn]

Sometimes I know a file exists on the disk, but I don't know exactly where it is or it's exact spelling. For example, if I know it is a .DOC file, I will search for all files with that extension (*.doc).

That's just it...I keep all my .doc files in My Documents, and the folder is set to view by type.  It is way easier and quicker for me to go there and scroll to find what I am looking for. 

But most often I use the search to find out what the operating system is doing by searching for the date modified.

Again, why do you need to know?  I keep my system in tip top shape.  I have no need to see the intricate dealings of file modification dates if my system is running smooth and efficient.  Is it just a geek thing for you then?  Because otherwise, I see no point.

I have also used it on a number of occasions to find out what malware has done to a machine.

I guess that is where we differ...I don't get malware so I don't need to search for it...or are you referring to someone else whom you are helping?

Spawn

[couttsj]

That's just it...I keep all my .doc files in My Documents, and the folder is set to view by type.  It is way easier and quicker for me to go there and scroll to find what I am looking for. 

I only wish it was that easy, but files come from many different sources. The ones I create myself are all in one nice comfortable location, but others come from email attachments, from posts, from imports, from downloads, you name it; and they all have their own favored storage location. "My Documents" is about the only place I do not store documents because of the access limitations that Microsoft places on them, which causes problems when trying to access them over the network.

Again, why do you need to know?  I keep my system in tip top shape.  I have no need to see the intricate dealings of file modification dates if my system is running smooth and efficient.  Is it just a geek thing for you then?  Because otherwise, I see no point.

Well, it may just be a geek thing for me, but I don't trust Microsoft operating systems. They try to hide too many things and are just not transparent enough for my liking. I far prefer Linux because of it's "no frills" and "open" approach, but the world has chosen to follow the Microsoft standard, and in order to do business in that world, I am forced to accept that standard. Whether I like it or not.

I guess that is where we differ...I don't get malware so I don't need to search for it...or are you referring to someone else whom you are helping?

Spawn

I have never run AV software, and I have never had a viral infection on my own equipment. Perhaps that is due to my many years of computer experience, or perhaps it is due to my conservative nature. But I do help out a lot of people who do not have the benefit of my wisdom or experience. Being an engineer by trade, I tend to question most everything, and seek to understand not just what is on the surface, but what is underneath. It is not enough for me to just solve a problem; I need to understand how I solved the problem.

J.A. Coutts

[Spawn]

I'm glad I have no such burdens...

[Black Viper]

I'm glad I have no such burdens...

I agree.
I barely search once in a blue moon, if that. A minor increase in time is much better then an always bogged down system (even though Vista is much better then earlier Windows OS's in this regard.)