Re: search mechanism

["B. Dofflemyer" <doff -at- bigfoot -dot- com>]

Goober, I'm sorry you're having a bad day. I asked the techwr-l community
for input because I thought there would have to be someone out there
providing similar functionality for their customers.

To answer your questions:

> First, is this server-side or client-side?

We're in the information gathering phase, so we aren't ruling anything out.
However, I personally think it should be client-side.

>
> Second, what is "etc."? Just like you can't come up
> with a solution with little time, we can't even think
> about helping you when you provide us with little
> information.

Currently, we provide HTML, PDF, and some Word documents. However, we do not
want to limit ourselves to those formats, hence the "etc."

>
> Third, have you spoken to management about this, and
> have they formally made this request? Did they provide
> you with the functional spec, and does it clearly
> communicate what they want?

Yes, it is a formal request -- as formal as requests get around here. No,
management did not provide and will not provide a spec. No, they have not
clearly communicated much of anything other than the fact that our customers
want to be able to search across all docs and they want us to implement the
functionality for the next release. I'm glad you work at a company that
follows such formal processes. Unfortunately, I don't. I am trying to
schedule a meeting with my manager to at least discuss the basic criteria,
but I wanted to go ahead and get my feelers out regarding other people's
experiences.

>
> This is not an implementation issue. This is a project
> management issue. You need answers and definitive
> information before you can even consider putting a
> deadline on this project.

The problem may be implementation; it may be management. It doesn't really
matter. It's something I've been tasked to work on and I need my job. Since
no one in our group is even aware of the possibilities, any relevant
information will do.

Thanks to those who have provided suggestions so far.



^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Want to support TECHWR-L? Get shirts, bags, hats, clocks,
and more from the TECHWR-L Store. All proceeds support TECHWR-L.
http://www.cafepress.com/cp/store/store.aspx?storeid=techwhirl

Check out the new release of RoboDemo, our easy-to-use tutorial software.
Plus, buy RoboHelp Office in August and save $100 with our mail-in rebate.
Get details and download free trial versions at http://www.ehelp.com/techwr-l

---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as:
archive -at- raycomm -dot- com 
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com 
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot-  Visit 
http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.