Google has made a decent first attempt, but it's obvious that X1 has been at it for quite awhile longer. For example, the Google product can only index your local mail file in Notes. X1 does email AND contacts out-of-the-box and can even index Notes databases based on a couple common templates. Indexing server-based databases is possible as well, something Google's offering cannot do.

Google also bases its interface on the Web page paradigm that it's known for. This is great for many things, but not so good for speed. X1's type-ahead searching and its granularity at the touch of a button blow away the Google interface on the quickness with which you can obtain relevant results.

The preview area in X1 also has an advantage. You can expand it to nearly half the screen (or more), and as shown in Figure D, many file formats will play within the X1 client itself. Google, on the other hand, has small thumbnails that will launch external programs to view files. The extra step takes more time and resources.

FIGURE D


Many files can play within the X1 client. Roll over picture for a larger image.

All of this speed and functionality does come at a cost however as X1 Desktop Search for Lotus Notes costs $99 for a single user license. Compare that to Google's free offering, and you'll have to determine if the cost is worth it to you.

Both products have free trials that you can download to see the differences for yourself. X1 also has volume discounts available, so the more you buy, the lower the price becomes. And if your workgroup or entire enterprise needs advanced search, X1 has competitively priced products that harness and extend the X1 Desktop and scale to fit your business.

Conclusion
If you are really serious about search and need something with robust speed and capabilities, then X1 is a wonderful purchase. However for some, the price may be a barrier considering the free offerings starting to appear. That alone may keep some people away and that's really a shame. That, along with the file format omissions above, keeps me from giving it a perfect five out of five.

OUR RATING: 4 of 5

John Roling is a ten year Lotus Notes veteran, avid digital photographer, blogger and all-around techno-geek. He can be found online at http://greyhawk68.dominohosting.biz or emailed at jroling@gmail.com.