Is desktop search deserving?Written by Jakob Jelling
By Jakob Jelling http://www.sitetube.comGoogle, in their march to stay ahead of pack of competition, has released Google Desktop Search. With Microsoft's MSN in lead position and nipping at Google's heels, and Google's new shareholders to please, Google has more incentive than ever to deploy technology both better than other guy's, and sooner. After all, first to get loaded to desktop is more likely to build and retain user loyalty. Google Desktop Search allows you to search within various types of files on your computer. It's still in beta, but is available for download by anyone. It requires Windows XP or Windows 2000 with at least Service Pack 3. It runs as a memory-resident application, with a system tray icon, so that it can index new documents as they are created. For example, if you know a certain word or phrase was in a Word document, but you don't remember which one, you can easily locate all documents on your computer that contain that word. Desktop Search can search through email, text, and HTML files, your cached web pages, and MS Office Documents (Word, Excel, and Powerpoint only).
| | Intranet Portal Project - RAD or Waterfall?Written by David Viney
In this short article, David Viney examines whether Rapid Application Development (RAD) or Waterfall development methodologies should be used during Intranet Portal projects.Building Bridges I have often used analogy of building a bridge to explain to business colleagues difference between RAD and Waterfall. Let’s say that we are in middle ages and Mayor of Kingston-upon-Thames is evaluating whether or not to build a bridge over river to north side, to replace current ferry. The whole area has been growing rapidly and a bridge at Kingston should give his town a lead against competing local towns like Ham and Richmond (who also have their own ferries). However, building a bridge presents problems. Firstly, bedrock north and south of river are very different. Secondly, river is still tidal at this point and its path continues to vary across floodplain. Finally – and perhaps most importantly – there is no guarantee that projected growth in cross-river traffic will indeed materialise – or that people will wish to cross at this precise point, rather than further up, or down, river. A new bridge could prove an expensive white elephant and divert much-needed town resources away from other projects. The increased local taxes required could also scare very businesses he is hoping to attract away to other local towns. Option 1 - Waterfall Waterfall, as a methodology, is all about building reliable systems. At each stage of lifecycle, results are correct. The Mayor’s engineer believes that - when building a bridge - result needs to be safe, sound and capable of lasting for decades. He recommends a design phase, which includes thoroughly testing bedrock by driving piles and developing ways to limit future variance of river’s course. During build phase, bridge would be tested to ensure it can take loads that will be placed upon it and to deal with high winds or flood conditions. The engineer confirms that each stage would only start once previous stage had been proved correct beyond reasonable doubt. The stone bridge will take five whole years to build (with a high upfront cost commitment). If project were ever stopped, value tied up in phases to date would be lost. The engineer reminds Mayor that a collapsed bridge would not help his place in history! Option 2 - RAD RAD, as a methodology is all about building relevant systems. The argument runs that it is better to be there quickly with 80% of functionality in 20% of time, so as to take full advantage of business opportunity. The Mayor’s political advisors recommend RAD option; to lay a pontoon bridge first alongside existing ferry. This can be achieved in just three months, using a series of boats with a makeshift road surface and swing bridge lock for river vessels to navigate. The pontoon bridge allows business model to be tested very quickly; If expected benefits materialise, then further iterations of bridge can be constructed later on. Sounds good, but of course (overall) costs will be higher than waterfall if a full, stone bridge is ultimately required. In meantime, if river changes course, or floods impact area, then pontoon bridge will be washed away. His chief advisor reminds him that a bridge five years from now would not help his re-election prospects two years hence!
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