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chatSearch - 0.8

iChat transcript indexing and search tool

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(File Size: 643k)

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All Time:	(4.2)
This Version:	(4.0)
Current Version:	0.8
Release Date:	2004-02-15
License:	Freeware
Downloads (this version):	1,985
Downloads (all versions):	3,395

Information Related to Version:

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Product Description:

This utility is basically Google(tm) for your iChat transcripts. When you first run the utility it creates an indexed database of your transcripts, and every time you run it it adds any new transcripts to the database. You can then do keyword-based searching on your iChat logs, and view them free of attachments, pictures, etc. Open-source under the BSD license.

What's new in this version:

Added some minimal AppleScript support and the Pad icon (thanks to Alexander MacLean at widget:widget).

Operating System Requirements:

This product is designed to run on the following operating systems:

Mac OS X 10.3
Mac OS X 10.2

Additional Requirements:

Mac OS X 10.2 or higher
WebKit/Safari required
Works with iChat AV and Panther

Feedback Summary:

This Version:
Overall Rating:	(4.0)	Features:	(2.0)	Support:	Not rated (0.0)
Ease of Use:	(4.0)	Quality / Stability:	(4.0)	Price:	(5.0)

Key to Types of Feedback:

Reviews Reviews Troubleshooting Usage Tips Developer Notes Commentary Featured Reviews

Tries to be like google - Version: 0.8, 11/26/2004 11:04PM PST

nwaller

First of all, I LOVE how this thing started it. It asked me politely whether I would like to index my 1904 new chat logs. Why thank you kindly, yes I would. That's what a program SHOULD be like, and that hooked me on trying the rest of the program.

Having two search fields is odd. I'm sure there's a good reason for it, but it's clumsy, and should be avoided somehow. What does the left one DO? Why are there disclosure triangles in the file view? That makes no sense at all. They should not be used as decoration.

The attempt at emulating google by including a snippet of the start of the message was a great idea on the part of the developers, but it could have been done better. For example, put text from different users in different shades.

The message view itself is way oversized. My logs are LONG, I don't them taking up 4X as much space just because the developer decided it looked better that way. That's a bit of a showstopper for me, it should at least be optional. Shorter output won't kill you.

Once you get around it's awkwardness, it's a fast and effective tool. Too bad, it was a beauty to start. I'd love to see this polished up a bit, it could be a marvelous tool.