>I have to say that it sounds like you're making a bad assumption here --
>that a relational database is a good way to store text objects. Certainly
>Oracle is making that argument, but I don't believe it.
>It seems clear to me that information systems need aspects of each --
>relational databases and full-text engines. A database is good for fielded
>resource management, including traditional document management functions.
I have to agree with Nick. Last year I developed a gateway to a UniSQL
database, to which Verity's "Photo Search Demo" bears many similarities.
A prototype is usually running at:
<URL:http://abelard.mit.edu/cgi-bin/museum-entrance/>
Unfortunately, it lacked a full-text engine and the usefulness of
such a feature was quickly obvious. (Although several people have
been interested in buying the capability from us anyway.)
We are currently developing server technology that integrates database
and full-text engines for searching indexes of both local and remote
data. The current design DOES use Sybase. However, it is also cgi-based.
I would be interested in hearing more discussion of "server dream
features" that require a non-cgi approach. What did you have in mind?
Dan Kurys
djk@mitre.org
:wq