Google Hacks enables you to filter Google search by selecting exactly what you're looking for: applications, videos, books, song lyrics, torrents and other file types and applications.

Simply check the appropriate filter and the desired format if applicable, and results will open up in your default browser. This application simply takes advantage of Google's modifiers so that you don't have to type them by yourself, but it would be even better if you could launch the search by pressing "Enter" instead of having to click on the program's button (yes, I'm a keyboard junkie!).

Find exactly the kind of files you're looking for on Google.

Download Google Hacks 1.6 in Softonic

Quintura works by allowing you to type a search term then displaying a series of words related to that phrase that ‘float’ around the original term, then subsequently displaying further related terms whenever you roll over one of them – rather like a computerized stream of consciousness. All the while, the application is querying the search engine of your choice and displaying relevant search results in a panel on the right of the interface. This makes for a wonderfully original and logical way of browsing the web, especially if you’re interested in exploring all avenues of one particular topic, or aren’t completely sure what it is that you’re looking for. Once you’ve found a link to a site that you like the look of, you simply click the link and the page will open in a new browser window.

The process of searching the web in this way is a little unusual at first, rather like driving an automatic car when you’ve been used to a gear-stick. It feels very strange not to be able to enter additional keywords or perform boolean operations, plus the absence of an obvious ‘Back’ button is also a little unsettling. The melée of words that are flying all over the screen only serve to add to the confusion. But guess what? It actually works. Within a few minutes of surfing the web in this way you start to develop a feeling of liberation, and you can sit back and enjoy the view without having to worry about the traditional restrictive tools of search. It feels as if new areas of the web are opening up to you, as you continue to slide down the stream of consciousness. Backtracking seems cumbersome at first, but the fact that the search terms you’ve clicked on are highlighted in red means you can simply ‘unclick’ them to head back the trail of information.

Although the program isn’t flourishing with features (it’s still only limited to searching Google, Google News, Yahoo!, and MSN), the few options that are present are very useful. For instance, if you’re not ready to be bombarded with a wave of different tangents from your original search term, you can alter the scope of the search using a simple scroll bar. The accuracy of the results can also be tweaked in the same way. If you’ve been pursuing a particularly interesting area of research, you can save your Quintura search with the click of a button, to come back to another time. One minor gripe we had with the interface was the absence of a Search window. Thus, whenever you want to make a new query you need to close down the search you’re doing and start a new one, with a ‘save current search’ prompt appearing every time. Perhaps this is just another of those search conventions you have to leave at the door when you use the program.

Ultimately, Quintura is a fascinating and original application, which delivers a geat research tool and moreover, gives rise to a completely new and immersive way of surfing the web. Just like the feeling I got the first time I used Google or downloaded Skype, I sense that using the Internet will not quite be the same again after installing this innovative program.

Download Quintura Search 1.5 in Softonic

The important thing is that it's easy to use despite the confusing description. It basically means that instead of cutting and pasting search terms into Google, you can use desktop shortcuts to perform the task quicker. The reason is Qube is based on an ITCE (Intelligent Text Capturing Engine) that extracts ASCII text from websites, documents, e-mails, menus, windows, applications and almost anything else you can think of. When you run a search, the results appear in the left window pane and are pretty much the same as you'd receive in Google.

The problem however is the updater which drags down your system and hangs up the program. You have to remember though that it's still very much a work in progress. It's also bundled with ads which are not too annoying at first but could be after prolonged use.

This is a really unique project that has a lot of potential. It's clear that the ultimate aim is to increase productivity by making browsers a thing of the past although that won't happen based on the current state of the product.

Download Qube 2.7 in Softonic

Cleeki is a tool that is designed to maximize searching on the net, and it can also be used on your computer. You enable the program, minimize it, and use it via a series of hotkeys. When you come across a word or phrase that you want more information on, you toggle Cleeki, which captures the search term in question, looks for it on a variety of search engines and displays the results within your browser. All the hotkeys are customizable, as are the search engines Cleeki uses. Results are displayed in a pop-up close to your search, but this pop-up materializes into a more functional program window when you interact with it.

Cleeki is a great idea in theory, but not so smooth in practice. The program website mentions various functions that are not immediately visible, and when I tried to use it in programs installed on my computer, the results were patchy. There are usage demos online, but they are dry and boring. Cleeki seems to have sharing features, such as social network, emailing and blogging functions, but when I tried to use them, they seemed to open only in Internet Explorer using the Te!! A Friend provider, which worked only sporadically. Cleeki has a number of features that make it an interesting option, but you need patience to become truly comfortable with it.

Cleeki is an interesting tool, but doesn't make a great first impression.

Download Cleeki 0.6.1185 in Softonic