I've been watching the Desktop Search space for a wihle now. For me, it's all about usability – and that's something I just didn't see with the tools from Google, MSN, or X1 (Yahoo!). As such, I wanted to comment publicly on Rob Pegoraro's recent Washington Post article, “Seeking a More Intuitive Search Tool.” Props to Marc Orchant for pointing it out to me.
Rob is 110% correct by saying that Microsoft screwed the pooch with XP's search tool. He used a slightly different metaphor, but the sentiment is parallel. I was thrilled to see my favorite product, Copernic Desktop Search, listed in the roundup – but kinda offended that someone chose the word “obscure” to describe the company. Nothing could be further from the truth. Compared to Google, MSN, or Yahoo, everybody else *IS* obscure – but Copernic has been in the desktop-based search space a lot longer than any of the three! The successes of Copernic Agent set the stage for Copernic Desktop Search.
Rob hiccuped again:

But if you use a non-Microsoft mail program, only Blinkx and Google welcome you: The former works with Eudora, the latter with Netscape, Mozilla and Thunderbird.

First, Copernic was one of the first Desktop Search tools to support non-Microsoft data. Second, support for Thunderbird and Eudora is sitting within their 1.5 beta.
Out of all the Desktop Search tools out there today, Copernic is the most configurable and brand-independent. There is no hit-you-over-the-head agenda with them. I can easily turn off the icon for and integration of their choice for using Alltheweb as the default “Web search.” And as far as its deskbar is concerned, I don't use it. Instead, I rely on the far superior DQSD. But why, you might ask, do I choose Copernic over say, Google or MSN? I think browser-based output is a poor choice for local searching. Simple? Yes. Seamless? Yes. Smart? Hell no.
At first, I was drawn into the seamless experience – until I started thinking like a non-geek. Imagine, if you will, a call at 10PM on Sunday evening from your mother or father: “How did our chat logs get on the Internet?!” The line between local and network data (read: content) should NOT be blurred. Newbies barely understand the difference between email and the Web, let alone what's sitting here and what's lying there. Google and MSN's desktop search implementation and integration is nearly invisible, but ramifications of this method deserve much more contemplation than has already been given (by the respective companies and community at large).
Again, I say this line should be CLEARLY drawn.