Multi-Tier Desktop Searching

The term Multi-Tier (usually 3-Tier) is in the context of the client-server architectures. But here I wish to use it in the context of Desktop Searching. When one hears Desktop Searching the first association is with Copernic Desktop Search (CDS) or Google Desktop Search (GDS). Of course there are other desktop searching programs but the point is that they employ in certain aspects techniques from the database management systems (DBMSs). In other words these programs constantly run and index all the files on the hard drive.

Nowadays people are becoming more sophisticated in filing on their hard drives. For example they name or rename (ReNamer by Kozlov, D. is an excellent freeware) their files with dates or key-words in the file name and most importantly they file them in established directory structures. Files related to invoices go into the Invoices folder, photos go to photo folder, radiology report for certain patient go into the patient’s folder and so forth.

While I don’t see benefits of using programs like CDS and GDS I do see necessity of good searching program. And if one adds desirable features like regular expressions, speed and reliability, then one can see that the desktop searching programs don’t fit prerequisites.

If you have seen proprietary websites for library searches like OvidSP, then you will understand the idea behind the term multi-tier searching. For example in OvidSP you search for author’s name and you came with a set of findings lets call it S. Next you search for some key terms and you came with set T. The final step is to allow OvidSP to do the intersection of the set S and T.

Using the idea described above I came up with the technique for multi-tier desktop searching. I use one program developed by somebody else – PowerGREP (Goyvaerts, Jan et.al.) and program developed by myself – DCM Filing Handler. I am writing a detailed article about the technique and when ready it will be posted on my site. For now at least you know that in the realm of desktop searching nothing is settled yet.