JUSTANTHRGUYHERE  I looked at this and it has a few cool features but it seems no one here has used the FINDER'S "Find" command nor ever looked at the "Other..." attributes options etc. MUCH of what this does can be done in the Finder and after looking at their web site and trying the program I came away thinking they've misrepresented what comes with EVERY Mac by way of searching because they seem to intentionally focus on Spotlight ignoring the FINDER'S "Find" command capabilities.

For more info:

http://www.peachpit.com/guides/content.aspx?g=mac&seqNum=196

You can add multiple criteria and using the "Other" operator find using even more meta data and even Save the search criteria for later use all built into the FINDER.

Just a comment and FYI and not a "ding" on the application only pointing out your needs my be more than spotlight but less than what this offers and in that case the FINDER may work for you!  
(Version 2.5.10)

SEANC  I've disliked Spotlight's front-end since its inception. In fact, I found myself relying on EasyFind to perform searches even though it's much slower. Oh happy day when I first found HoudahSpot... It's exactly what Spotlight's interface should be.

I especially like the ability to create custom search templates as well as customize the default search template.

I'm hoping a future version will allow me to replace the Spotlight interface entirely (e.g., in the menubar, Cmd-F in the Finder, etc.) rather than existing alongside it as it currently does.  
(Version 2.5.10)

RUBAIYAT  How does this rate against Datalore. Datalore seems to have a simpler frontend. Does this indicate it has less functionality or just a cleaner look?  
(Version 2.5.9)

ANON BUD  Beware!

Despite the listed requirements, the new version will only work with Snow Leopard.  
(Version 2.5.7)

LOUNGE DELUXE  This looks like a very useful app, but unfortunately for me Spotlight is required. I'm using a SSD and have Spotlight disabled, so I can't use HoudahSpot. I'm currently using EasyFind but I'd prefer HoudahSpot for the looks and powerful features of it.  
(Version 2.5.6)

ESPIRIDION  I've used and recommended HoudahSpot for a long time. I seldom used Spotlight, and tried a couple of programs that provided a better UI for Spotlight. My search ended as soon as I tried HoudahSpot.

Although I still use other search applications, whenever I need to do a Spotlight search I launch HoudahSpot. It makes my searches more efficient. I get more relevant results and spend less time looking for information.

Great application and great support.  
(Version 2.4.1)

DRDUL  HoudahSpot makes Spotlight usable. I rarely ever use Spotlight the Apple way, as it's far easier and faster to find files with HoudahSpot. A few minutes to set up some pre-defined templates, add them to a stack in the dock, and you're all set!

the developer has also been excellent in responding to questions, bugs and feature requests. This app is what Spotlight should have been.  
(Version 2.3.3)

MACMARIA  Awhile back I commented on this app, saying that was not working properly for me and posing some questions that the dev had the gentleness of answering.

I must say that my initial concerns where unfounded. I've been using HoudahSpot for many months now and I'm very satisfied with the app: it's fast, reliable and complies to its promises. Also, the support is very, very good... with a very capable forum where questions are replied in short time.

Therefore, I'm giving this app the best evaluation possible. Simply because it deserves it.  
(Version 2.3.2)

MACSYLVAIN  very easy to use. find anywordin my computer (mail etc). very helpful.  
(Version 2.3)

STEVE HODGSON  A fantastic application - Spotlight on steroids!

I cannot praise this application enough. It's a great combination of features (quick look, PathFinder support), speed and usability. The developer is very responsive.  
(Version 2.3)

EMB  I didn't upgrade from version 1.x to version 2.x because I didn't have Leopard. Now that I have finally moved to Leopard I decided to check out the upgrade price. To my amazement the price is 0!! On Houdah Software's site they say:

"We have decided to be even more generous that stated in the above policy. All registered HoudahSpot 1.x licenses remain valid for HoudahSpot 2.0"

That is a great deal for all of us 1.x buyers. Much appreciated Houdah.

Oh, and of course HoudahSpot is great.  
(Version 2.2.2)

JTEAM  Absolutely thrilled with HoudahSpot.

I usually want to search my entire drive and having to, every time, include System Files in Spotlight was a real hassle.

To be honest, Apple should just buy HoudahSpot and incorporate it's capabilities into Spotlight.

Until then, though, this is one of my favorite utilities.

PS The developer has been *insanely* responsive!  
(Version 2.2)

PLASTERPYRUS  I bought this a while back when it was 1.2.4 (something like that), I am still using Tiger, well it got to 1.5.1 and it stopped being developed for Tiger. I feel that it should have kept being developed for Tiger since I think it still had some room for improvement. I just keep going back to that Mac commercial that criticized Vista because many applications had to be developed specially for it. Well it seems that Leopard has the same problem, I don't know how many shareware applications stopped being developed for Tiger since Leopard needs it's own development that doesn't seem to work for both.  
(Version 2.1)

MACMARIA  I've been trying this app against FileSpot and so far I'm prefering the latter. Why?

1) I can try FileSpot (FS) for 30 days. HoudahSpot (HD) on the other hand as a ridiculously small try of 15 or so queries.

2) FS integrates better the smart searches. HS saves them outside the app (besides this version trial doesn't seem to allow saves at all).

3) HS is much heavier on CPU usage. Specially when using the new menubar features. It crashed on my MBP (10.5.2) at least three times.

4) I do like the idea of a permanent menubar search (specially with the app being closed) but it must be better implemented to work properly.

5) The GUI of HS, although quite beautiful, is less practical than the FS one.

I wish that the developers would be more reasonable with the trial time. Right now I'm much more inclined to buy FS, even if the tagging features (very promising) are not working well (at least in my computer). However, on the search features, FS seems much more solid.

I don't think I have enough data to make a full review of HS, but I'm leaving here this comment.   
(Version 2.1)

FRANCOLA  Nice app, but I would definitely buy it if it used the actual quicklook windows like FileSpot does for previews instead of a uniform small one.  
(Version 2.0.6)

IIGSTOMAC  Excellent program that fills the gap that Spotlight leaves. Much more focused searches, and quick too.  
(Version 2.0.4)

SPAGLIA  This is an awesome application. I've just used version 1.5, but now with version 2.0 it is very useful. As a bonus my license for 1.5 was passed to version 2.0. Anyway it is a pity that isn't available in italian...  
(Version 2.0)

DRDUL  The dock icon was a show-stopper for me, too. I e-mailed the developer, who pointed me towards this tip, which removes the dock icon very nicely:

• Open Info.plist in the application package (i.e. HoudaSpot.app/Contents/Info.plist).

• Add the following after first in file:

LSUIElement

1

• Save Info.plist

• Move the application temporarilty to another location and open it (this clears the cache of the previous plist information)

• Close the application and move it back to the original location

If you're reluctant to mess with the innards of the application package, the other option is to use Dock Dodger, which does the same thing. Either way, you'll have to repeat this every time there's an update of HoudahSpot.  
(Version 1.4.11)

HENRIKTEKNIK  I would maybe buy this if it was ** dock less **.

But my problem is, I already have too many programs where their application icons persist staying in my Dock + Application Switcher menu... :( This would be one too many.

To developer: please make this as an *option*.  
(Version 1.3.2)

KYMM  Version 1.3.2 finally has it: My custom columns are there! I always have to sort results by size to see what big items to get rid of... Apple could really learn from Houdah!  
(Version 1.3.2)

FOTO555  Version 1.3.1 is a huge improvement over past versions. Search results are more complete and useful than any other utility I've seen.  
(Version 1.3.1)

MAUDLIN  I think this is the best of the Spotlight alternatives.

Finally, my files seem to belong to me again - I can now find them all. I particularly like the detailed control it gives over searches: eg “find all files modified in the last 36 hours other than folders” or “find all files of type A, containing the word B, in folder C, modified before date D, other than those containing word E in the filename”. You can save complex searches and recall them with a keyboard shortcut. Its quite helpful to study the templates in the menubar (eg 'Long lost files'). It was only when I did this that I finally grasped how to set up a boolean "not" search.  
(Version 1.2)

MACHEALER  I agree with the user below regarding the interface. You cannot customize the toolbar or make the icons smaller.

But the biggest problem (or missing feature) I have with this application is its inability to search for invisible files, such as ".DS_Store" or any filename that begins with a period.  
(Version 1.1.2)

GERBER  It works, but the interface is a bit strange (even stranger than the normal spotlight interface -- the button icons are incomprehensible, and the path browser thingie at the bottom is just plain odd). Sure, Spotlight's standard query engine is awful, but cheaper options like NotLight give the same abilities in a more intuitive interface.

If this app were $5, I might investigate it further, but at $20... It's got to be a LOT more polished and a LOT more useful.  
(Version 1.0)

TFINDLAY  This is exactly what I have been looking for. Fast, thorough, and configurable seaching of files and file contents. It's everything that Spotlight should have been. Even though it's a beta I have had no problems with this great little app.  
(Version 1.0b3)