X1 Desktop Search now Free (as in Beer and Pizza)

This just came into my inbox...

"...
On Monday, June 19, 2006, we launched X1 Enterprise Client (XEC) version 5.5.3. This new version of X1’s desktop search application provides users with enhanced functionality while increasing protection for their networks. It is the first desktop search product that is guaranteed to be network safe. ...

The next big change is how we’re providing this new Client to the market. Effective immediately, X1 Enterprise Client is free. X1 has always been designed with the needs of the business professional in mind. Increasingly, those same business professionals need more of their colleagues to have the same productivity afforded them by X1. By removing the barrier of price, more of the people you depend on to be productive can find and act upon the information you all need.

..."

I’ve been interested in X1, but wasn’t willing to pony up the funds when there were other free options. Well no longer any excuse. It’s now free (as in beer and pizza). You don’t even have to register. Just visit the download page (http://www.x1.com/download/) and download away.

Install is smooth, but there IS Yahoo crud bundled (sigh) but that’s easily uncheck’able.

The indexing options are very nice and show how mature X1 is. I don’t think I’ve seen a desktop search product that indexes so many email sources. Outlook, Outlook Express, Lotus Notes, Eudora and Mozilla based email clients are all supported. Tons of file formats are also supported out of the box. Indexing seems pretty fast while not slamming my CPU.

Searching is fast and real time. The hit highlighting works very well (They are using Stellent’s OutsideIn Viewer, so you get high fidelity previews with hits in context).

All in all, X1 looks pretty darn interesting...