Google Desktop Search Download

The Google Desktop Search tool is truly handy - what Google does for finding stuff on the internet, Google Desktop Search does for finding stuff on your own computer.

This is no mere grep tool - besides plain text files, it indexes and can search the contents of Outlook/Outlook Express items, AOL IM messages, IE saved files, Word, Excel and PowerPoint files.

It's a free download for Windows XP and Windows 2000. Well worth checking out.

http://desktop.google.com

From Slump to Supercharged by Steve Pavlina

It seems that most software developers experience periods of low (or no!) productivity at some time in their career. It's kind of like writer's block for programmers. But how do you break out of it?

Steve gives his suggestions in this article. And they're not the run-of-the-mill solutions proposed in fluffy magazine and newspaper articles.

"Traditional solutions for overcoming procrastination like writing down your goals, making promises to others, setting deadlines, and taking time off can be effective for minor bouts of laziness, but they may not be sufficient to break out of a prolonged slump. You might get a temporary boost for a day or two, but soon your productivity and motivation are right back down the toilet again."

Well worth a read.

http://www.dexterity.com/articles/from-slump-to-supercharged.htm

Google Help Central

Find the stuff you're after the quick way - the Google Cheat Sheet is a handy reference to print out and stick on your cubicle wall.

http://www.google.com/help/cheatsheet.html