Over the Summer months I have written the prototype for text-retrieval database.
Currently it lacks a database 'engine' for storing, word-searching, and
indexing. Xapian is on the face of it suitable for this purpose. The prototype
was developed on Kubuntu, but will run on Windows if Python 2.5/2.6, Qt 4.4/4.5
and PyQt4 are installed. The code (GPL) is here for the present (I will email it
on request):
http://www.kde-apps.org/content/show.php/Knowledge?content=111504
I would welcome comments on the suitability of Xapian in this application.
If Xapian is indeed suitable I hope to find collaborators who would be
interested in taking this forward as I am not expert on database
'engines'. I wrote the prototype on the basis of extensive experience of
using the (long discontinued) Windows 95 Blackwell Idealist as a research tool.
I still use it after 15 years as I have not been able find a satisfactory
replacement. Simplicity, powerful search facilities, and flexibility are the
requirements.
For now only three types of object can be displayed in fields .. but it is not
hard to imagine many additions. I hope that the prototype is sufficiently well
implemented to make the concepts obvious - but I would be pleased to answer any
questions if anyone is interested.
Andrew.
NB: I am new to this mailing list.
