Brief: X1 Makes Desktop Search Client Free

Search software developer X1 renamed its desktop product and set it free Monday by letting enterprises download the once-$75 application without charge.

Previously dubbed "X1 Desktop Edition" and now called "X1 Enterprise Client," the software indexes files, e-mail messages, documents, e-mailed attachments, tasks, calendar items, and contacts (the last three in e-mail clients Outlook, Outlook Express, Lotus Notes, Eudora, Thunderbird, and Netscape Mail). It then previews files, documents, and/or messages located by a search.

Once priced at $74.95, the renamed search tool can now be downloaded and used by any sized organization free of charge, X1 said in a statement.

"Free desktop search products designed for personal use are readily available on the Internet," said Josh Jacobs, X1's president, in a statement. "Unfortunately, many of these products put information and systems at risk. With Enterprise Client, organizations have the unique combination of a free desktop search solution that is designed specifically for secure environments."

X1 Enterprise Client now comes bundled with Yahoo Toolbar.

The Pasadena, Calif. company also launched what it called the "X1 Enterprise Deployment Kit" Monday. The kit includes a 30-day trial of X1's server software designed to search internal information on the company's network or intranet; a deployment manager for rolling out copies of the desktop client; and documentation and setup guides. The kit can be downloaded from here. X1's client software is available for free download from the company's Web site.