While we're on the subject of search tools, the big news of the day is that Microsoft has acquired Lookout, a great add-in for Outlook that allows you to search. This has, of course, been making the rounds (here, here, here, and here, among others).
I'm a huge fan of Lookout and generally consider it a 'must-have' for Outlook, but I have some mixed feelings about this acquisition.
Part of the reason Lookout is so great is because, like Google, it is so simple and fast. Hence, why it has often been called 'Google for E-Mail'. I've tried other tools like X1 and enfish, but I found them too bloated.
Another concern is that it will be pushed off to the Longhorn or Office Next timeframe.
Sadly, it looks like these may both be the case.
Q: What is Microsoft going to do with Lookout? With Mike? With Eric?
The existing Lookout product will no longer be available, but its technology will be part of an exciting vision that MSN has for delivering new and innovative search services.
I like being able to search in Outlook in milliseconds, not minutes, and I like being able to do this without leaving Outlook. If this tool is taken out of Outlook, or put into some bloated MSN Explorer that I will never use, it won't be nearly as valuable.
On the other hand - I exchanged e-mails with Mike Belshe, the developer, about some comments I had on a previous version. During the course of our conversation, I got the the sense that he had big plans for Lookout; that there were things he wanted to do but didn't have the resources and time to do. Surely this acquisition will remedy that problem.
I guess only time will tell... but Microsoft, I beg you, please don't ruin a great product!