Microsoft To Change Windows Desktop Search In Vista SP1

[thexfactor]

The changes to be made to “Desktop Search” are in compliance with a complaint filed by Google earlier this year. In a filing made jointly with the Justice Department on Tuesday night, Microsoft said it would change the search feature as part of the first service pack for Windows Vista. In the filing, Microsoft talked for the first time about when service pack one (SP1) for Windows Vista would arrive, saying a beta version will come by the end of the year.

Background on the complaint made by Google:
This complaint, filed by Google earlier this year, relates to the desktop search functionality in Windows Vista that enables users to search for files located on their computer. This desktop search functionality in Vista, referred to as “Instant Search” in Microsoft’s promotional materials, allows users to enter a search query into a text box and receive a list of results from the hard drive that contain the search term, either in the name of the file or program, in the full text of the file, or in the keywords associated with that file. The desktop search functionality relies on an index that is updated whenever files on the computer change.

Google’s complaint contends that desktop search in Windows Vista is a new “Microsoft Middleware Product” under the Final Judgments. Regulators said Tuesday: “Plaintiffs are collectively satisfied that this agreement will resolve any issues the complaint may raise under the Final Judgments, provided that Microsoft implements it as promised.” Under the agreement, Microsoft will create a mechanism whereby both Computer Manufactures and users (or Consumers) will be able to choose a default desktop search program, just like they can choose a rival browser or media player as there default program, even though those technologies are built into Windows.

Microsoft To Change Windows Desktop Search In Vista SP1 - Winxperts.net

[thexfactor]

Google said yesterday that the remedies don’t go far enough. Google chief legal officer David Drummond said in a statement, “We are pleased that as a result of Google’s request that the consent decree be enforced, the Department of Justice and state attorneys general have required Microsoft to make changes to Vista.”

Nevertheless, Drummond said that “Microsoft’s current approach to Vista desktop search clearly violates the consent decree and limits consumer choice,” and the proposed remedies “are a step in the right direction, but they should be improved further to give consumers greater access to alternate desktop search providers.”

Google did not elaborate on its expectations, although they are not difficult to piece together. Google had argued that it should be possible to disable Vista’s search entirely, and Microsoft has not accommodated this demand. Search still runs, and OEMs and third-party software companies have not been given a way to schedule or disable it.

Furthermore, Microsoft did not make it possible to change the search defaults in a universal way, instead keeping its search system as the default throughout most of Windows Explorer. In short, Vista’s search boxes will by and large return Vista’s own search results if you type text into them and hit return. Microsoft’s changes appear to mostly involve links to the “default” third party program, not a drop-in replacement.

Google says Vista search changes not enough

Wonder why no one complaints against apple’s spotlight :huh: