Quick Look's description indicates that the technology will display full size previews "in a graphic overlay." Although Apple doesn't explain what that is, existing Mac OS X technologies that could be similarly described include Dashboard or the command-tab application switcher. It seems logical, though not certain, that Quick Look will work using a similar visual effect.

However, Quick Look's power will come not from its form but its function. The ability to get full-size previews of varying media types could save a lot of search time. For some file types, opening a document to verify that it's the one you want takes several seconds (while Preview and Text Edit launch, for instance). However, many documents can take noticeably longer to open, particularly if the associated application has to be launched. Photoshop files, Final Cut projects and Quark documents all come immediately to mind because they can be large files and each use an application that can take a while to launch. Even Office documents and applications can take time, which is why I typically preview Word documents with TextEdit -- especially when using an Intel Mac.

If Apple builds support for a large range of file types into Quick Look, the results could be revolutionary. Simply click on a search result and see exactly what the file looks like, regardless of type -- and maybe doing so even without the associated application installed. Imagine quickly scanning through search results and even being able to read PDFs or other documents, look at photos or watch video, all directly from the search results window. If your job is mostly to gather information rather than to edit files, Spotlight and Quick Look could quickly become your primary tools, and your best friends.

Coupled with other advances in Spotlight, Quick Look stands to change the way you work with Macs in a home, small office or corporate environment by making searching for files across a computer or network effortless. Search for exactly what you need, find it wherever it is and then preview it before you open it -- and maybe skip even opening it as a result. The ease of use and the added efficiency will pay back time-saving dividends. And if Apple's updated version of Spotlight is as good as the original, the simplicity of it will make you wonder both how you lived without it and why nobody developed it sooner.

For more information about Leopard, if you have some time, check out the QuickTime video of Apple's WWDC 2006 keynote.