Google Desktop is a great help, but it doesn't allow searching Lotus 123 files. At least, I couldn't find a plug-in that works.

Google Desktop represents a major step towards a full on war with Microsoft, as Google starts its march into the desktop. As for the tool itself, it sounds really cool. My understanding of the way it works is that the tool indexes a copy of every single file on your computer (word documents, emails, browsing history, im exchanges, etc.), categorizes it, and makes it available to you via Google's search interface. So far the tool is only available for Windows and IE, so I haven't actually been able to try it, but the reviews that I have read are really positive. Google Desktop basically brings Google Search to your desktop. Before using Google Desktop, I would make sure to read all the conditions - there seems to be something in there about Google being able to transmit your Web browsing habits back to their servers (presumably, so they can use this data to personalize search). This is a little Big Brotherish in my opinion, so you'll have to make your own call as to whether your comfortable with it.