Desktop Search program ratings

Although this post is categorized under Document Management, it is important to note at the outset that file searching is only part of what a true document management system does.  Full-featured document management software (DMS), such as Worldox, assures that files are saved and profiled using parameters you specify.  You've heard the phrase "garbage in - garbage out" (GIGO for short).  True document management systems effectively eliminate the "garbage in" half of the problem assuring that there will be no "garbage out" when you try to find a documents somewhere on your network.  Desktop search software works on the premise that there is much "garbage in" and does its best to limit the amount of "garbage out" when you search for a document or file. 

But if your firm is too small to justify the expense of a full DMS system, or if you want to reap some of the benefits of document management to test the waters before you invest in a full DMS system, desktop search software can be a great option.  There are many desktop search programs, some of the best of which are free.  I've used Yahoo Desktop Search in my home-based appellate practice for well over a year and have been very satisfied. 

But how does a user know that he or she has selected the best desktop search software?  About a year ago the University of Wisconsin E-Business Consortium published a detailed comparison report of a dozen desktop search programs.  As it turned out, I was not far off in my selection of Yahoo Desktop Search.  It was ranked second of the dozen programs tested.  At the top of the list was Copernic Desktop Search.  However, Yahoo bested Copernic in the very important (for law firms) area of security.  The best known desktop search software from Google was ranked fifth.