Re: The Secret Life of Houdini

[robot_tourist]

Not really off-topic, even though it is a book-plug. but any notes on the architecture ofthe system and how you put it together would be cool. Is it feasible to roll your own? Do you distribute your system? Is there a cost? What is the license? Is Alexander currently searchable by the public/is there a link to it?

Hope that's not too many questions.

[friedo]

but any notes on the architecture ofthe system and how you put it together would be cool.

I've been thinking of writing a detailed meditation or article about building the system, which was a lot of fun and also a real challenge. Right now I'm beginning work on version 2, which will have some new features.

Do you distribute your system? Is there a cost? What is the license? Is Alexander currently searchable by the public/is there a link to it?

Alexander is currently proprietary, but subscriptions are available via the Conjuring Arts Research Center. There aren't any plans to open-source the code right now, and much of the indexed content is under copyright and licensed to CARC, so it's not publically searchable. And since it all runs on a single 1U server which is on the verge of melting into a smoking heap of liquid metal, that probably wouldn't be a good idea anyway. :)