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I know you like freebies. Me, too. So this week I've got a humdinger of a search tool, another to copy files, and a quick and easy duplicate file finding program. Plus the usual array of weird and offensive time killers.

New: Copernic Desktop Search 2.0

Copernic Desktop Search--my favorite (and free) searching tool--has been upgraded. I like it even better than before for a number of reasons. The redesigned interface is cleaner and easier to follow. For example, the different search file categories--e-mail, files, music, images, contacts, Internet Favorites, and History--are better in the new version. I can immediately see exactly how many hits were found in each category. And creating and saving custom searches is blessedly easy. The "as you type" search function is cool, too.

If you're not familiar with CDS, here's a brief rundown.

CDS looks into files--Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint docs, PDFs, and other files, such as e-mail messages (including Eudora), as well as videos and pictures. I can search on specific file types, say Word docs, or for exact words within files. The program uses an index of files on the PC in order to make searches nearly instantaneous; it updates itself while the system is idle.

The last version automatically installed itself to the taskbar at the bottom of my desktop as a new toolbar. I wasn't pleased that it did so without asking, and I promptly removed it. The new version, however, gives you an option. If you inadvertently install the features, right-click any empty portion of the taskbar, highlight Toolbars, and click Copernic Desktop Search.

Ann C., a reader, raves about it: "Copernic lets me do something others that I have tried do not--it lets me customize the extensions to be searched, and add the ones I use into the search parameters. Since I continue to use some Lotus programs that are not supported by anyone anymore, this feature sold me on Copernic."

Dig This: So many of you wrote to tell me you enjoyed the Home Depot prank, I thought you might like another couple. First visit the MP3 Experiment. If you have time, check out the Best Buy prank. [Thanks to Georgia and Improv Everywhere's Charlie Todd for these links.]

File Copying Freebie

Last week I told you about a couple of great file copying tools. I just discovered another one: StoragePoint. It's a quirky little tool and after using it a couple of times, I can think of a dozen ways to make it better. But it does one thing I've wanted to do: Based on a filter, it copies specific files from multiple folders to another location.

I know, that doesn't sound like much of a feat, but imagine you have 80 or so folders, each with one file that you want to copy to another spot. Opening each folder to copy the file is a PITA, but StoragePoint does it automatically. The problem is that the utility is kludgy. For instance, it copies files yet can't move them. It's also difficult to designate the target folder. Yet it's free, and for the time being, serves the purpose.

Dig This: It's an MP3 file and having been a psychotherapist for over 20 years, I laughed out loud.

Quick Aside: Last month I told you about a couple of ways to prepare for disasters. The other day I learned about WhatHappensNow, a site that helps you prepare for life's contingencies--curve balls that you don't expect to happen, but do.

For instance, our house has been burglarized twice in the last 20 years, so I was curious what the Home Theft link advised. It turns out the info's plenty useful, including what to do if it happens to you, dealing with the police, and handling insurance claims. There are also links to governmental and nonprofit sites as well as articles covering a variety of topics including bicycle and auto accidents.

Dump the Dups

Find Duplicates.NET isn't fancy--but it is quick and easy to use. Drag and drop a folder onto the program's work area, wait a few seconds (or more, if the folder's loaded with files) and you'll see a list of duplicate files. In a folder with 500 files, it took 30 seconds to find 20 exact duplicates--the same file with different names. It's also safe (and for experienced users, inconvenient) because the program doesn't delete the dups. It just opens Windows Explorer so you can do the rest of the job yourself. There's no installation--just unzip the download file and click to run it.

Dig This: Water Attractors is hard to describe. It's similar to The Sand Game from a few weeks ago--only different. Once you start fiddling, I'll bet you won't be able to walk away in less than 20 minutes. [Thanks, Leo!]

Steve Bass writes PC World's monthly "Hassle-Free PC" column and is the author of PC Annoyances, 2nd Edition: How to Fix the Most Annoying Things About Your Personal Computer, available from O'Reilly. He also writes PC World's daily Tips & Tweaks blog. Sign up to have Steve's newsletter e-mailed to you each week. Comments or questions? Send Steve e-mail.