64-bit OS kicks butt!

Last month I wrote mention that our applications are facing challenges regarding scalability (see Strategies for Performance). One of the strategies mentioned was moving to a 64-bit operating system, Windows Server 2003 X64. Our observations are anecdotal, but the OS kicks ass...at least when compared to the 32 bit Windows Server 2003. Reports that were running for nearly 30 minutes are completing in less than two (minutes).

We recently rebuilt the server for a key customer onto X64. In moving them to the new OS, we made other improvements too. We upgraded their database to SQL Server 2005. We also realigned the storage, separating data and logs onto different physical drives. And changing those drives from RAID 5 to RAID 1.

All these changes will contribute to the performance improvement. We have restructured systems before, separating data from logs and changing RAID, but have only seen an incremental improvement in performance. It's a reasonable conclusion that the greatest improvement comes from x64.

Searching for Code

Have you tried Krugle yet? Krugle is a search engine of open source code and technology pages. It is an indepensible tool to any developer. Need a special snippet of code for a specific task? Type in your search keywords and review the results.

Krugle searches code, tech pages, and projects. Code and projects return essentially the same thing; links to source code. Tech pages will find your search term in blogs and newsgroups.

I find the code search especially helpful. I have searched for grid computing, sorting, and EBCDIC; and have found useful code in each case. For me, the projects are most interesting, as I want a complete solution.

The site has a sweet Web 2.0 interface that includes plenty of Ajax. It also has allows sharing of notes. One point of contention though, I tagged several files with comments, but was unable to find them (my comments) later.

Google also has a code search capability too, but I believe it is inferior. In Google's case, the search results will highlight key words in source code files. True to Google form, its' code search is very spartan. Google does not have the Web 2.0 capabilities of Krugle, but it is fine for quick and dirty searches for very specific algorithm.

Kudos to Krugle. I suggest you add it to your bag of tricks.

Have you tried SearchMash?

Have you tried SearchMash? I like it so much that I made it my default search engine. The SearchMash features page explains how it is unique.

I like that I do not need to click in the textbox to type a new search. It's a little bit of Ajax magic, but it makes a big difference. In addition to a list of web sites, SearchMash also provides separate lists for blogs, images, and video. And you can watch video by clicking the thumbnail.

The searches are provided by Google, so you should have complete confidence in the results.

Need to do a little shopping?

Ok. This has absolutely nothing to do with business or software. But everyone needs to do a little shopping every now and then. Sure Valentines Day is behind us, but birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions lurk just around the corner.

If you are like me, the "big" gifts aren't a problem. The kids, for instance, make it apparent what they want for Christmas and birthdays. My problem is the smaller gifts; items for co-workers or friends; stuff for my sister on mother's day; etc.

Anyway, here's two ideas. Kali Gift Bag and TranquiliTea. Kali has an eclectic inventory of odds and ends as reasonable prices that are perfect for little surprise gifts. You wouldn't shop for your wife at Kali, but it will be great on Secrataries Day. TranquiliTea is specifically for the tea drinker. Their inventory is unique.

Kali's is geared toward the online shopper. Their web site is pretty typical for a retailer. It's not fancy, but is easy to navigate and has pictures of the gifts. TranquiliTea is aimed at the in store experience. If suburban Detroit is not convenient then you should pick up the phone. Their service is extremely helpful and friendly.

Ok, one more confession; I don't buy a gift for my sister on Mother's Day...I wonder if Kali's Gift Bag will wrap something up for her.