The Internet giant Google has just launched a new tool that allows two personal computers to exchange information automatically with each other. However, in exchange for this convenience, users must accept that their data will be retained by Google for up to 30 days.
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| Source: BBC |
More specifically, with this new tool, you will be able to search for information stored on remote computers. This feature will further enhance the capabilities of Google Desktop, software designed to scour your hard drive for documents, emails, instant messages, and various other types of data.
To activate this inter-computer search function, users will first select the information they wish to share, and then agree to let Google transfer that data to its storage system. Google will encrypt all the data sent from the user’s hard drive, and only a few authorized personnel will have access to it. Google also emphasizes that it will not use any of the information contained within.
When registering to use this tool, users will specify the computers that will participate in their private network. Later, whenever one of the computers is turned on, Google will automatically transfer information from that machine to the network so users on other machines can search remotely.
Concerns About Personal Information?
As part of Google’s latest software upgrade package, this tool may be somewhat “unpalatable” for those who value personal freedom and information security, especially during a time when the Bush administration is keen to understand what users are searching for through Google’s search engine.
Google continues to bravely resist the U.S. Department of Justice’s request in federal court to provide user data, while Yahoo, Microsoft, and AOL have “surrendered” to the government. All three companies have stated that their “cooperation” with the Department of Justice does not violate personal freedom rights.
Despite concerns over personal freedom, Google officials remain confident. They believe the new tool will appeal to those who want to access their office computers from home and vice versa. “I think this is a very useful tool, but in return, you also have to give up a little bit of your personal privacy,” said Marissa Mayer, Vice President of Search Products at Google.
Widgets
In addition to the inter-computer search tool, this software upgrade also allows users to set up a mini-application dashboard (called widgets) on their computer screens to monitor information on topics such as weather, currency exchange, or current events without needing to visit specific websites.
Moreover, Google has also updated its password protection tool, making it more difficult for hackers to access computers via Google Desktop.
With this software package, Google’s ambition to create a computing environment that challenges the Windows operating system is more apparent than ever. The inter-computer search tool will lay the groundwork for Google to distribute digital media content such as music and video to mobile devices and computers.
You can download this software package at: http://desktop.google.com. However, it is only compatible with Windows XP or Windows 2000 SP3.
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