Pros
Search templates are a real time saver
Cons
Interface could be simpler. Complex searches need to be carefully setted up to be effective.
Summary
The best equipped search app on the Mac.
Pros
1. A very convenient way to find the files you need.
2. Saves your active queries, so that you can quickly access the files you need to reach out to often.
3. Deep level of search. It found files I never thought I've had.
Cons
Finder level colors are displayed as dots
Summary
This is a fantastic app for debugging large code bases. I use it a lot and it works very well.
Read reply (1)
Reply by houdahsoft on September 20, 2014
There is a hidden option to revert to the old-sytle display of Finder label colors:
http://blog.houdah.com/2014/03/customize-the-display-of-file-label-colors/
Pros
Houdaspot has had an evolution, while Spotlight has not!
The permanent mds problems with Spotlight can be avoided this way!
Cons
Somewhat to versatile. A simpler (free) version for starters would probably be a good commercial approach as it would attract users to Houdaspot and allow them to grow (and buy) the somewhat frightening "Pro" kind of version.
Pros
Plethora of search parameters. and you can create complex combinations of search parameters for excellent specificity
Cons
The very richness of the application brings a learning curve. Some search fields are not as clearly defined as they might be
Summary
Excellent search front end but expect to put in a modicum of time learning to use it so that you find that which you are seeking.
Pros
Excellent product with great flexibility. Very fast and thorough.
Cons
HoudahSpot is not the cheapest available.
Summary
I couldn't function without it.
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
The "sort columns" for the query results list is driving me BONKERS! Every time, and I mean EVERY TIME I start a new search (even with templates) the column view settings I patiently configured to my liking disappear and I have to do it all over again. IT'S MADDENING! I've tried tweaking the columns and re-saving the templates, saving copies as new templates, etc, and nothing, nadda.
It may sound trivial but it becomes very frustrating very quickly when having to re-enable the info columns you want to see AND also have to use your mouse to re-drag each column to re-establish the width. OMG DRIVES ME CRAZY!
In a nutshell, Houdahspot's GUI Spotlight search capabilities are much more granular than the Finder's, but the Finder DEFINITELY trumps Houdahspot's ability to display the search results. Which leads me to wonder why Houdahspot doesn't allow users to save searches as actual Smart Folders that can then be accessed via the Finder. That way the tool can focus on constructing search queries and then hand off the display responsibilities to the Finder.
Pros
This is a true search engine, fills needs not filled by spotlight. Love the templates.
Cons
Very hard to learn, but I am learning. An exercise in logic.
Summary
Just what I needed.
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
I use to have constant problems with spotlight (and still do when I try it). Spotlight would not find files which I know I have stored somewhere. Only way to make spotlight work is to rebuild its database, which take a while. HondahSpot just works. Use the template to setup searches which I use a lot, any problems which I have found (very very few) have been fixed with the next release.
Excellent replacement for spotlight
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
This is a terrific piece of software. I don't use Spotlight anymore and find the UI for HoudahSpot superior. Nice addition to the Mac OS. Try it - you'll like it!
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
Since I downloaded HoudahSpot a few months ago I wonder how I could do without it. It is far superior to Spotlight, which I stopped using altogether. Searching is flawless, you can search for a range of various criteria. Searching is fast, delivers good results, and so far I did not find a single glitch or bug.
A really well done piece of software. Well done, Houdah!
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