[Sigia-l] Re: Thunderstone Search Appliance [was: RE: Google Appliance]

[Lyle Kantrovich]

On 11/3/05, Gabriel <gabriel at graphnical.com> wrote:
> I agree completely -- the client list is not always a trustworthy source to
> make a decision on a product. That said, you were looking for a
> recommendation -- I provided one and said that from my experience it was an
> enterprise product --- you said it didn't look like it --- so I said look at
> their client list.

Actually, I was never looking for a recommendation, and didn't ask for
one.  I just hadn't heard of them and wondered what makes them unique.
 I occasionally get asked about search tools and tech, so like to keep
good vendors on my "radar."

I also didn't make any statements about their product.  I have no
knowledge of it.  I just said their web site (the way it's designed
and the kinds of content on it) didn't make me think they were a
"major contender" in enterprise search.


> I am not sure how you evaluate products for your projects but I have learned
> that sometimes the best stuff is the worst looking (think about the
> shoemaker's shoes) --- eval. based on the merits of the product and your
> needs, not the look or your suspicions of their client list.

The best stuff is the most useful and usable.  Aesthetics are rarely
high on the requirements list, but they do matter.  I don't have any
"suspicions", I just take every client list with a grain of salt. 
(I.e.  McDonald's saying 5.2 Billion served doesn't mean those
customers are happy ones.)

> Or not...its almost sounding like what you need is a turn-key Google box
> anyway (their interface is a bit prettier, in that Google sort-of way), so
> maybe it would be a waste of time to actually read about Thunderstone.

How would you know what I need?  If I was currently doing a vendor
comparison, I'd RTFW...I was just looking for anecdotal testimonials
that told me what makes their solution unique from someone like
Google, Verity, etc.

I think this horse is pretty well dead...let's move on.
--
Lyle

--------------------------
Lyle Kantrovich
Blog: Croc O' Lyle
http://crocolyle.blogspot.com