Who Will Index Your Desktop?

There is a definite battle brewing for the rights to search your desktop. Several weeks ago, news was leaked about a internal Google project, "Puffin", that was aimed to leverage the search prowess of the Net's number one search darling down at the individual desktop level.

For months now, we've heard more and more about Microsoft's Longhorn promise and the revolutionary new methodologies being introduced by the new desktop environment.

Most recently, Ask Jeeves has entered the fray as well. News.com reports:

Dinesh C. Sharma

[from News.com, "Ask Jeeves taps into desktop search"]

"We expect that Tukaroo's desktop search and information management capabilities will enable Ask Jeeves to deliver a seamless, end-to-end search experience across the desktop and the Internet," Ask Jeeves CEO Steve Berkowitz said in a statement.

There are two interesting things to look out for, in my opinion. First is the evolving definition of search. We're seeing that the content base is shifting as well as a renewed interest in "hyperlinking" using non-discrete algorithms - contextual, anecdotal linking will change the way we find things.

Secondly, the social and cultural reactions to this newfound ability will be worthy of note. For many, I anticipate, there will be significant hurdles to cross as we attempt to secure attitudes, separate the public from the private domains, and cope with the loss of "forgetfulness".