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Ask HN: Do you need a Windows desktop search tool?

4 points by pcunite ↗ HN
I'm the creator of FileSearchEX, a search tool for Windows 7 and higher. Downloads average 10,000/month but sales are in the trash. I've been telling myself it's because of piracy. We scored some big clients in the past after all.

So, I'm retooling myself to make HTML5 apps. Before I leave the C++ WinAPI/ShellAPI world for good, tell me I'm right, wrong, or just plain stupid.

Do you like FileSearchEX? Do you have a need for it?

15 comments

[ 5.0 ms ] story [ 49.1 ms ] thread
Nadya
Personally I have little to no need to search many files. I use Launchy to index a specific folder for applications/files I often access and simply use the search in the start menu for everything else.

I figure most developers/people who benefit from being able to search within files use UNIX-based operating systems and not Windows.

JoeAltmaier
File search is weak. Heck, file systems are weak. Instead of looking for a name or modification date match, I'd really like to find "that pdf I printed yesterday at work". But because all file systems are rooted in 1970's ideas, we can't add attributes to files (a-la relations). So search is crippled.
Cort3z
Sounds like you will like what we are developing over at Konjekt :) We are basically trying to solve exactly what you are describing, and some more, by making a new kind of search tool. We feel exactly the same way as you do, but maybe with more fury? (PS: Please don't judge us by the current website. It has in no way been our priority lately)
JoeAltmaier
Yes it does! I'm not sure how much you can do, without adding attributes e.g. version number, last app to edit, who last accessed etc. But anything is progress.

Here's something Spotlight (Mac) fails on utterly: I have multiple source trees for the same source base (1 for each ticket I'm working on). When I look for a file or build, it shows me 6 of them - without letting me know which project they're in! Useless.

Cort3z
If you are interested in testing out an early version of Konjekt and giving some feedback, I could set you up. I would love to hear your feedback and suggestions :)
JoeAltmaier
Yes please! I have some bandwidth to explore!
brudgers
How is it better than opening up the start menu in Windows 7 or the start screen in Windows 8 and typing?
pcunite
1. Try searching for PDF files from last January with the contents "Hacker News".

2. Try searching a network share via UNC path.

3. Many others ...

:-)

joshschreuder
I don't generally search a lot, but when I do I don't share your use cases.

99.9% of my searches are just on the filename, which is easy and quick (I use a freeware program called Everything which can't do what you list above)

Not sure if that feedback helps you, but I personally wouldn't buy a desktop search tool.

pcunite
I do appreciate the feedback. I know, it's all about aligning interests. Maybe FileSearchEX is just not needed by the general public.
brudgers
You're absolutely right. It's not needed by the general public. Marketing it as such might be holding it back.

I googled it. The top hit was CNET's "download.com" where the typical package might be bundled with crapware or worse. Allowing them to provide it taints your product's perception.

I went to the website. The positive connotations of Windows XP are gone with the passing of Vista. The screenshots look dated. Windows built in search catalogs MSWord documents. It's not a defining feature.

What are the defining features? Things like what you listed in response to my question. Things that can remove a world of hurt, not the 90% that's redundant or a visual interface from 2001.

I went to the pricing. $10 is too high for anyone who wants free and too low for anyone who correlates price with quality.

My two cents:

  Raise the price. 
  Get rid of the trial version.
  Target it at business.
    Emphasize the PDF search.
  Target it at IT.
    Emphasize the Network search.
  Price it as free or expensive.
    Ten bucks for shareware is dead.
Good luck.
Cort3z
In my experience, windows often does not show any results at all (wind 8.1), and the search is slow. When results show up, they are of varying quality, often not containing what you are after. And don't get me started on the indexing process which seems to be grinding way too often and for too long.
BorisMelnik
actually yes, I hate windows desktop search. Will try this!

edit: perhaps a website redesign might help your revenue issue? when I see a tool the first thing I go for is the "download" section. I didn't even see the purchase section and still am not sure what the free version entails.

pcunite
Appreciate the feedback. There is no "free" version, just a free to try.
alok-g
Voidtools Everything has served me so well that I have never looked back.

http://www.voidtools.com/

The only thing I now wish for is tighter integration with a good file manager.