So Yahoo’s got a Desktop Search product, joining Google, Microsoft and others. It’s pretty good. It takes a while to start up, but searches are quite fast. These tools are of limited use for me since most of my data is not on my desktop (or laptop), but stored on some server somewhere.

What would be useful for me is something that would search my actual desktop. You know, find that project schedule on the bottom of the pile of papers sitting on my desk. Now that would be the killer app.

One app I have been growing to like is AppRocket. It’s like the the Mac applications LaunchBar or QuickSilver. It’s basically a command-line interface to all your files, URLs, Apps and Music.

For example, if I want to run Excel, rather than digging through my hideously messy Start menu, I just bring up AppRocket with Alt-space and type “excel”, then return to launch Excel. It autocompletes and remembers what I picked last time when I typed Excel.

It’s also great for on-demand music since it indexes all your MP3s too. I just just bring up AppRocket, type “Springsteen” and it start playing Bruce songs in iTunes. Quite a time saver.