Searching with Beagle

Contents

6.1. Using Beagle
6.2. Search Tips
6.3. Performing a Property Search
6.4. Setting Search Preferences
6.5. Indexing Other Directories
6.6. Preventing Files and Directories from Being Indexed
6.7. Selecting Data Sources to Index
6.8. Disabling Beagle
6.9. For More Information

Beagle is a search tool that indexes your personal information space (normally your home directory) in order to carry out search requests. Using Beagle, you can find documents, e-mails and attachments, Web history, IM/IRC conversations, address book contacts, calendar appointments, notes, source code, images, music (and video) files, archives (and their contents) and applications.

Using Beagle

To use Beagle, click Computer, enter your search terms in the Search field, then press Enter. The results are displayed in the Desktop Search dialog box.

Figure 6.1. Desktop Search Dialog Box

Desktop Search Dialog Box

You can use the results lists to open a file, forward it via e-mail, move it to trash, or display it in the file manager. Simply right-click an item in the results list and select desired option. The options available for an item in the results list are determined by its filetype. Selecting a file in the list displays a preview of the file and information such as the title, path, and date the file was last accessed or modified.

Figure 6.2. Desktop Search Dialog Box With a File Selected

Desktop Search Dialog Box With a File Selected

Use the Find In menu to limit your search to sources of a specific type (such as applications, documents, pictures, emails, web pages or contacts). The View menu lets you sort the items in your results list according to name, relevance or the date the file was last modified.

You can also access Desktop Search by clicking Computer+More Applications+System+Search or start it from a terminal using the beagle-search.