|
Linux gets Google fever
Friday, August 27, 2004
Developers of KDE have announced plans to simplify searching for
files on the open-source Linux desktop environment by adding a Google-style
search feature.
The next version of KDE, which will either be called 3.4 or 4,
is expected to include the new search feature. It's likely to be
released within the next 18 months. Aaron Seigo, a KDE developer,
said the community has already been discussing and writing code
for the new search engine at the KDE Community World Summit, which
is taking place in Ludwigsburg, Germany.
The search engine will be included on the control panel and will
build on KDE's current search functionality. "We are planning
a Google-like search system for the control panel, although people
will still be able to search for files by name," Mr. Seigo
said. He pointed out that currently, it is much easier to find files
on the Web than on a computer.
Mr. Seigo said the search tool is expected in the next version
of KDE, but developers can't guarantee that it will be completed
by then.
However, the developers may beat Microsoft to the punch with their
improved search feature. The software giant has been discussing
plans to boost the power of desktop search in Windows.
Improved search is part of Microsoft's plans for its next-generation
operating system, Longhorn, due in 2007. Plans for Longhorn include
a new method of file storage called Windows Future Storage (WinFS).
Microsoft's Web site says WinFS will revise the way users can search
for files, regardless of which application created the data. A Microsoft
spokeswoman said Wednesday that she could not give an update on
how WinFS will work and when it will be available.
Improved search is just one of several planned interface enhancements
for KDE. Developers also want to simplify its look and feel.
"We are planning on streamlining KDE. Developers love to build
an interface with a-million levers and buttons, but it's not easy
to use. We want to make the interface more intuitive without limiting
power," Mr. Seigo said.
Three professional usability experts have joined the KDE project
and are helping improve the interface.
Mr. Seigo said open-source desktop software is traditionally not
as easy to use as it should be, as developers have not met the needs
of less technical users.
"Open source is traditionally written by programmers, for
programmers," he said.
Mr. Seigo did not know how KDE would look in the future, but he
hopes that the interface will become so intuitive that people will
no longer think of it as a user interface.
"I don't know what KDE 4 will look like, but we hope that
people will stop recognizing the fact that it is an interface."
But some in the open-source community doubt whether a Linux desktop
will ever be able to rival the usability of a Microsoft Windows
desktop. Paul Salazar, the European marketing director at Red Hat,
said his company has chosen to focus on Linux on the server rather
than on the desktop, due to the fact that it cannot compete with
Microsoft's research and development budget.
"We made a profit of $125-million last year and reinvested
20 per cent into research. Microsoft invests $7-billion a year in
research and development. We can't match that," Mr. Salazar
said.
|
