Google Offers Google Deskbar

If the Google Toolbar isn't enough for you, now you can try the Google Deskbar. Like the Toolbar, it requires Internet Explorer, but unlike the Toolbar, it allows you to do Internet searching without opening your browser.

The Deskbar can be downloaded at http://toolbar.google.com/deskbar/index.html . When you install it, you'll notice that it installs on your Windows taskbar. You can either search Google directly or use the little black down icon to change the search to another of Google's properties -- Froogle, Google News, Groups, Images, etc. There are also options to go to non-Google search properties like Rotten Tomatoes and Download.com (Google's options include the ability to add your own custom search sites.)

Google mentions a few use ideas on their download page, but I found the ability to quickly lookup phone numbers the best feature of this deskbar. Remember that bphonebook: searches for business phone numbers, and rphonebook: searches for residential phone numbers. So if I need to quickly find a Burger King in Burbank, I can simply type bphonebook:burger king burbank ca and a result will pop right up. I don't have to open my browser.

For additional information on the Deskbar, visit the Deskbar FAQ at http://toolbar.google.com/deskbar/help/faq.html or participate in the (quite busy) forum at http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&group=google.public.labs.google-deskbar .

Posted to Search Engines-Google