A Windows 7 search alternative ?

[QUOTE=DeaconFrost;1143454]

jh2oman said:

Buddahfan said:

But my search needs are simple so I only need a simple search program that works quickly and effectively and does not take any time to learn and to configure.

You've got it right in front of you. What does the power of the computer have to do with it? There isn't even a learning curve, because the syntax is either readily available, or part of common knowledge, as demonstrated in the previous thread in which a user bashed Microsoft (sound familair?) for not returning all of their .sol files....several pages worth of rants, until it was discovered the OP didn't know the simple and decades old syntax of *.sol to find them. Simply put...the search feature does exactly what it is instructed to do, and it is available on screen nearly everywhere.

If my users can learn how to use it effectively, than there's no excuse for anyone else not to. These are people who often call me at home at night asking how to undock their laptops from their docking stations, what cables they need for wireless internet, and what it means when they put their computers to sleep. Yes, those are true stories.

I don't recall ever talking about the "power of the computer".

I am talking about Windows 7 Search and its power.

It is overkill for a computer that has only 115,000 files on it.

I shouldn't have to read a 5,700 word document "Configuring and Using" Windows 7 Search in order to be able to search on a computer that has only 115,000 files on it. As it turns out at least two other people agree with me, the designer of the software that I am using to search and at least one other poster here. I am sure that there are thousands more.

Windows 7 Search is great for finding Windows Operating Systems programs like "Device Manager" etc. because it doesn't require reading a 5,700 page document to do and works great.

However, when it comes to finding "Stuff" on my computer with only 40,000 files that are not in the C:\Windows directory chain and are not part of the Windows 7 Operating System then Windows 7 Search is overkill, straight up.

The search program that I am using to find programs on my computer that are not part of the Windows 7 operating system did not require reading a 5,700 word instruction document. All I did was install the program and begin to search. Bingo, finds everything I need quickly and with no fuss or learning curve.

Windows 7 Search is too complicated to learn and setup for my needs and not needed when I have less than 50,000 Non Windows System 7 files on my computer,

Buddahfan said:

Windows 7 Search is too complicated to learn and setup

That has to be one of the most ridiculous comments I've ever read posted in a forum, and I've read some doozies. Setup? It's there already. Complicated? What? You type in what you want to search for, using either a strong or syntax that's been in use for two decades.

I said it before, and I'll say it again. if my user base of 30 can use the Search without problems, there's no possible way to say it is too complicated. These are people who, several times, have asked what cables they need at home for wireless internet.

DeaconFrost said:

Buddahfan said:

Windows 7 Search is too complicated to learn and setup

That has to be one of the most ridiculous comments I've ever read posted in a forum, and I've read some doozies. Setup? It's there already. Complicated? What? You type in what you want to search for, using either a strong or syntax that's been in use for two decades.

I said it before, and I'll say it again. if my user base of 30 can use the Search without problems, there's no possible way to say it is too complicated. These are people who, several times, have asked what cables they need at home for wireless internet.

This would have to be one of the most "passionate" areas of discussion bordering on the irrational.
Some clearly think Windows search is a marvelous search engine with a powerful and acceptable user interface. GREAT.
For these people their search is over.

For some, it does not work effectively, have lost trust in the program and feel the user interface is lacking. FACT.
For these people there are alternatives. Get on with it.

mjf said:

For some, it does not work effectively, have lost trust in the program and feel the user interface is lacking. FACT.

I'll bite. Fact: The majority of the threads end up exposing the fact that the complainer either messed with "tweaking" the OS, or they simply don't know the basics on how to use the Search...much like coming across a person who doesn't know the keyboard shortcuts.

I'll continue to play your game: The Search works just fine, and returns the info you need. Ever hear the saying garbage in garbage out? That explains why some people "think" it doesn't work. As for the interface? Seriously? There's a box at the top right of every Explorer window. You type in your search term, and it returns the results. How or why would anyone need to complain about the interface?

This "debate" is like buying a new car and then bitching that the cupholder isn't perfectly round. It works fine and holds every cup you put it in...but you'll complain about it anyway. In your own words....get over it.

I rest my case.

Indeed, mjf, once again:

Needless to say (but I'm still gonna say it ), a GUI search would be best in Win 7 ala Win XP. One of the most frequently asked questions on this board deals with the search function in Win 7.

Sure, one could learn the syntax; I'm a geek, I've learned it and I use it. One can also tweak the indexing options; I'm a geek, I've tweaked it for my needs.

The point is, this board has many people looking for help with Win 7. They are not all geeks like me and many of the other regular posters here.

The XP search was easy. It offered drop downs for file types, extensions, contents, size, date modified, location (one did not have to select the folder through explorer, one could select it from a drop down) et al, without remembering some arcane syntax methods. Welcome to the world of DOS. A Win 7 search GUI could expound, hierarchically, on the old XP search GUI with extra drop downs for the myriad of newly indexed values. It's too bad MS doesn't do this.

I'm mystified. This is not a small issue for the average user. All they want to do is find their files and get their work done. MS made that more difficult and less intuitive in Win 7.

It is too easy to dismiss others by simply saying "learn the new method" when others have been using the XP search method for almost 10 years now. I cannot imagine a GUI would be that difficult to put together. Again, it's too bad MS hasn't done it in Win 7.

I miss the cat ...

Dzomlija said:

mikedl said:

I cannot imagine a GUI would be that difficult to put together. Again, it's too bad MS hasn't done it in Win 7.
I miss the cat ...

You're obviously not a developer, and have never tried designing a GUI.

As for the cat? Well, what can I say except good riddance?

Thanks for the feedback, Dzomlija.

You made a very bad assumption, however. I am a developer, among other things. I design programs that run inside AutoCAD and create Access databases that tie into information contained in AutoCAD drawings. I design my GUI's around the needs and wants of my clients. I've designed a number of GUI's for varying applications and usages of information in those two programs.

If you didn't like the cat, Dzomlija, it was easy enough to just turn it off (or use the dog ).

I still miss the cat ...