Frequent questions about FindWord

What FindWord is

On the one hand, FindWord is a so-called desktop search engine, which works locally on a Windows computer or within a local network.

On the other hand, FindWord offers a lot more than conventional search programs, so that "document research tool" would be a better description.

These are FindWords unique strengths

• FindWord always finds at least one hit, so you'll never be frustrated by messages like "no hits" or "0 documents found". This is because FindWord applies a unique concept, which guarantees that only those words are offered for selection which will lead to a positive result. This is true even for complex boolean filters.
• FindWord guides you to your goal, even when you only have a rough idea of what you're looking for. In the category view* it presents you a list of all the words belonging to the chosen topic which occur in your documents - and all you need to do is to select the one you want.
• FindWord automatically finds all your Internet addresses, Email addresses, towns and cities and dates and displays them in lists.
• FindWord can also recognise text in foreign languages and can be instructed to ignore it. *

* Currently only available in the german version

FindWord does not search the Internet

However, any data you download from the Internet onto your PC or local network can then be indexed using FindWord. There are several free tools for downloading complete websites, for example the website copier HTTrack.

What an Index run is and why it's neccessary

FindWord stores all it needs to know about your files in so-called Projects in its own internal format. This stored data allows fast and efficient access whenever you request a search.

In order to create a project an Index run must be performed.

Whenever your data has changed significantly your projects need to be updated to reflect these changes - this can be done manually, or automatically at given intervals via a scheduler. Furthermore a project can be stored on a network drive, making it available to other users in the network.

This is what FindWord can find

FindWord is a full text search engine, which finds all the words and concepts contained in all of your documents and lists them alphabetically. It does not search for file names, as these can be adequately searched for with the search function in Windows Explorer.

FindWord reads the following file types
 

FindWord runs on almost all Windows-PCs

Hardware requirements:

• minimal (up to about 200 documents):
  Pentium with at least 100 MHz, 64 MB RAM, 20 MB free on the hard disk;
• recommended (for up to several thousand documents):
  Pentium with at least 800 MHz, 256 to 512 MB RAM, about 50 MB free on the hard disk for stored indexes;
• recommended (for several tens of thousands of documents):
  Pentium with at least 2 GHz, 512 MB RAM or more, about 200 MB free on the hard disk for stored indexes.

Operating system:

Win 98 SE, Win ME, Win NT, Win 2000, Win XP, Win Server 2003.

There are two ways to choose words

1. Using the scroll slider skim through a large number of words, then just click on the desired one with the mouse;
2. As you type characters into the word entry field at the bottom of the dialog FindWord continually updates the selected word to be the best match to whatever you have typed so far. Using this method you can select long and seldom words by entering just a few characters.

I already have a Document Management System (DMS).
Why should I bother with FindWord?

Because FindWord does not modify files in any way, it can be installed parallel to a DMS without any side effects in either program. In contrast to a DMS FindWord requires no manual input and is therefore an excellent choice for indexing old data or documents with unknown contents.

Another important point is that we know of no DMS with the specific advantages of FindWord, such as automatic recognition of dates, Internet- und Email addresses AND the guarantee to always get at least one hit.

Most search engines offer a preview window (file viewer).
Why does'nt FindWord?

Normally files get searched because something should happen with them - one user may want to edit them, another to store them on a USB-Stick. This is not directly possible when the documents are only presented in a preview window, which shows the selected file positioned at the word searched for. In this case a cumbersome procedure ensues, in which the user notes the path of the file found and clicks thro to it in Windows Explorer, in order to open it with the appropriate program.

Not so with FindWord! FindWord opens the original file with the appropriate program and instructs that program to position the file to the first occurence of the word searched for. Now you can immediately edit the file, or save it to another location.

That's a large handbook for FindWord! Does it take a long time to get familiar with the program and its possibilities?

No, not at all. The basic functions of FindWord can be used intuitively without any study of the handbook or online help. For example, just click on the word you want from all of those listed to get a list of all the files in which it occurs.

The only reason that the handbook and online help are so large is because they contain (a) a large number of examples, also (b) for seldom used functions, and (c) with an appendix explaining the technical background - for those people who are interested in it.

FindWord is available in three licence types

• The "Business licence" indexes an unlimited number of drives on your PC and the network.
• The "Personal licence" indexes an unlimited number of local drives on your PC.
• The "Light licence" is free of charge and indexes a maximum of 200 files per index run on an unlimited number of local drives on your PC.

How to purchase FindWord

Each licence type can be tested at no cost for 30 days after its initial installation on a particular PC.

If you like FindWord and want to buy it, then you only need to register the desired licence which you have already installed. We will send you a key file for permanent activation as soon as we receive your payment.

Updates aren't expensive - they're free!

Up until now all updates since version 2.0 have been free of charge, and for the time being this will remain so. So don't wait - purchase FindWord now and keep your copy up-to-date with the free downloads.