If you have Safari open all the time (like I usually do), it's just as easy to do this in the google search field. This has the added the benefit of not needing to wait for spotlight to do its thing.

This is exactly what I do too, since Safari is permanently open on my machine.

Yes, mine too. In fact, to prevent accidentally quitting Safari, I've changed the Quit keyboard shortcut to cmd-ctl-Q.

As we (I) wander off-topic.

OmniWeb fulfills the same need, pattern of use, on my system.

Often with several windows open each with a collection of tabs mostly relevant to some topic/subject.

And then Desktop Manager so that this arrangement stays unmolested as I go to and fro with other activities with their own arrangements on other virtual desk tops.

And, naturally, using two monitors. (An old Apple 20" LCD and a new Apple 23" at home, a 15" PowerBook and 21" CRT at the office.)

And the system(s) almost never gets rebooted. Just slept at need.

Life is good.