If you're a fan of using Google to surf the Web, you may be interested in Lookout for Outlook, which actually complements Google Desktop. Microsoft bought Lookout Software with the idea of incorporating it into its MSN Search feature, at which time they stopped allowing new downloads. However, Microsoft has rethought its decision and is now allowing downloads of two versions of Lookout Software: a "stable" version and an "experimental" version.

Lookout and Google Desktop differ in that Lookout focuses on e-mail messages, appointments and contacts -- its default settings don't include indexing files at all -- while Google emphasizes files, e-mails and other content.

Lookout is a great tool for e-mail searching, as you can search in any of 20 fields including:

• To
• From
• Subject
• Attachment file name

It also allows you to search by phrase and exclude certain terms and, unlike Google, allows for "wildcards" in search terms by using question marks and asterisks in place of an unknown character or string of characters. Also unlike Google, it can search for pairs of words near each other or for similar words, and can even give certain search terms more importance than others (you mark the terms that are most important and Lookout gives them more emphasis in the search).

Lookout is quite useful for finding messages, contacts and appointments in Outlook, and its file-searching capabilities are "functional." Microsoft is working on their new product that will merge Lookout with MSN Search.

PC Magazine November 2004

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Prior to the recent release of Google Desktop Search, there was a program called Lookout. In some ways it was better than Google Desktop, and it was also free. But Microsoft purchased them earlier this year and took it off the market. Guess what though? After reading the above article about it (it happens to be in my favorite computer periodical, PC Magazine), I learned that there were so many complaints after it was taken off the market that Microsoft allowed Lookout to distribute the program for free -- it is now updated and can be downloaded from their site. It is a bit different than Google Desktop Search and actually complements Google. As it says in the articles, where Google Desktop gives equal emphasis to files, e-mails, and other content, Lookout focuses strongly on e-mail messages, appointments and contacts -- its default settings don't include indexing files at all. I frequently will use both to find lost items in my computer. Once you use either of these, though, you will never use the exceedingly slow Microsoft search function. For more on Google's many functions, check out the links below. Related Articles: Finally -- You Can Now Get Google's Free Email Service, But Beware Scientific Research at Your Fingertips With Google How to Better Use Google Google's Cool Billion Google Now Lets You Find Things in Your Neighborhood Amazing New Way to Have Google Search YOUR Computer