Considering how many people liked google's desktop search widget, and similar, I'm not sure I agree... not to mention that seeing repository matches that aren't installed (yet) can be useful too. Not that most of those features require integrated online searches... but I can see how someone, even most casual users would prefer it that way.

Hell, look at how many people type in website addresses into their search box.

I'm not making any excuses. You have the option to choose another desktop or distro entirely if you don't like it. That is a fact, not an excuse.

Your point would carry more weight if it were impossible to disable it and if I had suggested the parent post just use it anyway.