The desktop search functionality in Windows Vista Beta 1 is very similar to that in Tiger. Like Spotlight, Windows Vista's search feature is exposed throughout the shell in various logical places. You get a Search option in the Start menu (Figure), a Search icon in the system tray, and quick search boxes in all Explorer windows (Figure). Where Spotlight offers various ways to find-tune search results using groupings and sortings (Figure), Vista Beta 1 lets you fine-tune the search with various stackable filters (Figure). To get this kind of functionality in Tiger, you need to first create a Smart Folder, which provides the same kind of filtering (Figure). (Or you can press the Apple+F keyboard shortcut.) Smart Folders, of course, are simply saved searches, and Vista Beta 1 lets you save any search as a Virtual Folder, which is essentially identical to a Smart Folder in Tiger.
Unlike with Spotlight, Vista Beta 1's searches are not instantaneous, but this is by design and is arguably a better choice. In Spotlight, as you start typing a search, the search results begin appearing (Figure), which can be both annoying and counterproductive when the first few letters of your search include common letters or words (like "the"). In Vista Beta 1, you need to hit Enter to launch the search (or click the Search button).
Overall, the search functionality in Windows Vista Beta 1 is very similar to Tiger's Spotlight.
Unlike with Spotlight, Vista Beta 1's searches are not instantaneous, but this is by design and is arguably a better choice. In Spotlight, as you start typing a search, the search results begin appearing (Figure), which can be both annoying and counterproductive when the first few letters of your search include common letters or words (like "the"). In Vista Beta 1, you need to hit Enter to launch the search (or click the Search button).
Overall, the search functionality in Windows Vista Beta 1 is very similar to Tiger's Spotlight.
