- Quick specs
- Price: Free to try $30.00 to buy
- Operating system: Mac OS X 10.6/10.5 PPC/Intel
- Date added: December 25, 2009
- Total Downloads: 1,490
- Downloads last week: 35
- See full specifications
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: Be the first to rate this product!
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: Paul Hughes on July 28, 2009
If you're not satisfied with the power or flexibility of the Mac's built-in Spotlight search, you should check out HoudahSpot. This app isn't a Spotlight replacement, but rather a more versatile front-end for Spotlight--as it actually uses the technology behind Spotlight to help you find files on your computer. HoudahSpot works in much the same way as Spotlight, and you can pull it up with a key combo or a menubar icon. Once you do, though, HoudahSpot offers many more search options--and it waits until you've finished forming a query rather than immediately returning results as you type (which can be one of the more frustrating aspects of Spotlight).
HoudahSpot can be intimidating at first because it offers so many search options, letting you use multiple criteria (for example, looking for text within a file, and/or certain types of files, sizes, date ranges, etc.). You can also define the folders and directories where you want HoudahSpot to look (and not look), and you can perform basic Finder functions from within HoudahSpot (like previewing, copying, moving, duplicating, and trashing files). The best part is that you can save frequently used searches as "templates," and you can even search within your results to filter out precisely the files you need. HoudahSpot also includes nice extras like a built-in "Long Lost Files" search, a Spotlight-like BlitzSearch, and integration with third-party apps like LaunchBar. Unfortunately, HoudahSpot is currently only available for Leopard (although version 1.5.1 is available as a freeware legacy version). Users new to HoudahSpot would do well to watch the video tutorial, read the "Tips and Tricks," and visit the developer's responsive forums.
Publisher's description
From Houdah Software :Don't search! Find!
With HoudahSpot your files are at your fingertips. Keep frequently used files within reach. Retrieve the files you didn't know you still had.
Create detailed queries to pinpoint the exact file you want to get to. Save queries for direct access to your favorite files. Set up templates for frequently performed searches. Use HoudahSpot for some housekeeping (Hi, Mom!). You could ask HoudahSpot to find all music files not yet in your Music folder. Just drag the results to your Music folder.
What's new in this version:
- New Feature: "Add group" toolbar items HoudahSpot 2.6 adds toolbar buttons for "Add ALL Group", "Add ANY Group" and "Add NONE Group".
- New Feature: "Search Location" service A "Search Location in HoudahSpot" service is now provided in the Finder as well as in other applications working with files.
- New Feature: Narrow down search scope You may narrow down a search by command-clicking folders in the path control at the bottom of the window.
- New Feature: Adju... see all new features
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