Search Google Docs on your Mac desktop with Google Quick Seach Box

Google Quick Search Box (gQSB) for Mac provides a quick way to launch applications, perform calculations, search local files, view weather info, send tweets to twitter and more. gQSB even searches and launches Google Docs files. Here's how to install gQSB and some usage tips.

Let's get started:
:: Visit http://code.google.com/p/qsb-mac/
:: Download gQSB - select the most recent version as they are generally more stable and include more features (2.0.0.1210 as of this writing)
:: Install and launch gQSB - gQSB appears in the Finder menu bar
:: Click the gQSB menu item and select the Preferences... option
:: Select the Accounts tab
:: Click the Add an Account button
:: Select the Google account type from the drop down menu (this is also where you find Twitter)
:: Enter Google account login and password
:: Select the Setup button - gQSB is now connected to a single Google account but you can add more than one
:: Select the Searchable Items tab
:: Scroll through the list and click on preferred options - including Google Docs and Gmail accounts for this example
:: Select the General tab and make other preference selections - I recommend selecting the Open gQSB at Login option and changing the keyboard shortcut to Cmd-Space
:: Close the Preference window
:: Activate gQSB using the keystroke combination chosen - the gQSB search window will appear
:: Type in a search string that will match the title of a document stored on the Google Docs cloud - it will appear below the search string
:: If it's the top item, simply hit Return and the document will load in the default browser, if not use the cursor keys to move down the list to the item and hit Return  

Bonus: Use gQSB as an application launcher
:: Activate gQSB
:: Begin typing the name of the application - the application name will appear in gQSB
:: Hit Return - the application will launch  

Bonus 2: Perform a calculation
:: Activate gQSB
:: Begin typing a calculation such as 34+56 - the result will appear in gQSB  

Bonus 3: Display current Weather conditions
:: Activate ggQSB
:: Enter Weather 62225 - weather conditions for zip code will appear in gQSB
:: Hit Return to display more weather information in browser

gQSB is in beta; however, my use has shown it to be more stable than Quicksilver. It also supports third-party add-ons which are sure to add more functionality as the product matures. Windows users can find a scaled down version of gQSB in the latest Google Toolbar for IE. At the moment it doesn't support many of the features found in the Mac version, including Google Docs searching, but its a start. Use QSB and have another search tip? Leave a comment.

Technorati Tags: google, search, quicksearchbox, qsb, quicksilver, launchbar, docstechnotes