![]() We thank our loyal customers for the feedback that helped shape HoudahSpot into an irreplaceable tool for many Mac users. Looking back, we are very proud of how much HoudahSpot has evolved over the past 15 years. This layout makes it much easier to explore search results and progressively refine searches until results distill down to a manageable size. ![]() To the right, HoudahSpot even finds room to show file information or previews. Today, HoudahSpot presents search results next to search criteria. HoudahSpot today: Search Criteria, Results & Preview in the same window Once the search was started, search criteria had to be hidden to make room to display results. The HoudahSpot window had space only to show search criteria. HoudahSpot was developed on an iBook with a screen resolution of just 800×600 pixels. The first version of HoudahSpot had to be very economical with screen real estate. HoudahSpot, 15 years ago: Search criteria on the front side of the window, results on the flip side As technology advanced, HoudahSpot has always managed to keep frequently used files at users’ fingertips and hard-to-find files within easy reach. Over the years, HoudahSpot had to outdo itself over and again to keep ever-growing file collection in check. In those years, much has changed, but our need to find the files and information we rely on. (…) you can use it to easily create complex saved searches that would be very complicated to construct (if possible at all) in the Finder.” ( Macworld, )įifteen years later, these are still the core strengths of HoudahSpot. “HoudahSpot takes the power of Spotlight (…) and makes it both more powerful and easier to use. As Macworld reviewer Rob Griffith put it in 2008: A simple search form allows for finding files by name, text content, dates, as well as many other file properties. With HoudahSpot, building precise searches is a matter of just a few clicks. HoudahSpot has proven an essential tool for those who work with or rely on a large number of files. This has earned it a spot in the hearts and the Dock of many Mac users. Over the years, HoudahSpot has grown to be ever more powerful and yet easier to use. The idea came to life on May 8th, 2006, with the release of HoudahSpot 1.0. HoudahSpot should combine the speed of the Spotlight index with the flexibility and precision of standard file search. Thus was born the idea for HoudahSpot: “unleash Spotlight”. It lacked the finesse needed to hone in on the files we were looking for. We soon realized that the Spotlight interface left much of that promise unfulfilled. ![]() It allowed for blindingly fast file searches by relying on an index. When Apple introduced Spotlight search with Mac OS 10.4 Tiger in 2005, we felt that the Spotlight technology held a lot of promise. This app is definitely not for beginners - grab it only if you must search through thousands of files using many filters.Įditors' note: This is a review of the trial version of HoudahSpot for Mac 3.9.2.Fifteen years ago, we released the first version of what came to be one of the most popular search tools on the Mac: HoudahSpot. However, this app can be counterintuitive to basic searches, for which filters are seldom needed. HoudahSpot for Mac proves to be a potent search tool that allows you to filter many search results fairly quickly. You have to spacebar through the list and scroll though the documents. I just did an 'any' search for 'searchword' type pdf and got a list of all the pdfs on my entire system which contain 'search word'. Search parameters can be contradictory: If you're not paying attention to all the search parameters you choose, you might end up with conflicting filters. In finder you can do a search with multiple search criteria (using the + search icon). There are too many options that can easily confuse a beginner. Not for beginners: As an advanced search tool, it might not appeal to beginners. ![]() Not for simple searches: Simple searches can be done more easily with Spotlight. Interface full of options: Integrating with Spotlight to help you find files on your computer, it features an interface that looks like Finder, except for the sidebar full of filters and options. Include and exclude locations: The search can be limited to a certain location on the computer, or it can be specific to certain folders on user-mounted volumes or Spotlight indexed pages. It can also do a fuzzy search using the parameters you enter. ProsĬomprehensive search: HoudahSpot for Mac supports multiple search options, such as grouping the searches or using user-defined groups, and can search file attributes and the content of text files. Start with a simple search, Refine it by adding and combining criteria. It's a capable app but not necessarily easy to use. Use HoudahSpot to find important documents, correspondence, photos, image files and more. An advanced search utility, HoudahSpot for Mac offers plenty of search filters and features, which enable you to do more thorough searches.
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