Yay or Nay?: Google Desktop, Google Taskbar

PikaPuff

I just got a new laptop and after uninstalling everything wild tangent related and anyhting else that looked obviously annoying I notcied that google desktop and google toolbar were preinstalled.

how are they? anything to worry about, performance/spyware wise? or is it safe enough to keep and try out?

bonus question: uninstalled mcafee, I never use antivirus software. Should I get one? and what's recommended? I currently plan on using windows defender alone.

Manic205

I only noticed that they were ugly and annoying, and uninstalled them without looking back.

PikaPuff

I'm noticing that with toolbar. No decision/opinion on desktop yet.

Midshipman

I like having Google Toolbar for easy searching (and an extra layer of pop-up blocking doesn't hurt). However, I've never found much use for Google Desktop,

SporkAndrew

PikaPuff wrote: »

bonus question: uninstalled mcafee, I never use antivirus software. Should I get one? and what's recommended? I currently plan on using windows defender alone.

For free but adequate protection use Avast! (currently the only one 64-bit compatable too..)

If you want 100% protection gaurenteed (and a program that isn't full of bloat and doesn't bog your system) down you should be using (and paying for) NOD32..

Windows Defender is a good backup, but I wouldn't use it exclusively.

devoir

As handy as Google the search engine is, Google toolbar and desktop are a pain in the ass. The number of new companies I've picked up as clients where you go in and every PC has that shit on it slowing it down... feh. 90% of the time I see Google toolbar, it's popping up with some annoying-ass message about an update or some little fact it wants you to know (unrelated to malware, popups from webpages or anything actual useful), interfering with you actually trying to just open the damn browser and surf.

Muriden

I've never really seen why the google toolbar is needed.
If you have either Firefox, Opera, or IE 7 there are built in search bars and pop up blockers, which are the features that I use most anyway.

misbehavin

Fuck Toolbar.

Desktop is a-ok.

Reiten

If you're using Firefox, then try the "Googlebar Lite" extension. Small and easy. You'll get better popup blocking from Adblock (and a filterset) than the original Google Toobar or just Firefox alone.

Gotr

I read an article in May's PC World magazine that talked about the risks of Web 2.0 apps. One of their biggest concerns was Good Desktop. After looking at it, I agreed, decided I didn't use it much anyway, and trashed it. Also, I've never found much use for Google Toolbar.

gundam470

I've used Avast! as an anti-virus and it's pretty good but switched to Active Virus Shield based on some recommendations in another thread.

PikaPuff

thanks for the input so far. i'm planning to uninstall google. and took note of the anti virus stuff.

Fallingman

Google desktop is amazingly useful on my work laptop. People refer to docs or emails that they send me over a year ago... I have no need or desire to have the same functionality on my home laptop.