FAQ

Overview

1. Products

2. Support

3. Other

Products

Q1. What is the difference between AutoFocus and AutoFocus Server?

A1. AutoFocus is a desktop client that is capable of indexing file systems, websites and e-mail sources and present search results in Cluster Maps. AutoFocus Server is a full-text and metadata indexing server that can be queried by AutoFocus but it also has its own web-based UI. It is the web-based counterpart of AutoFocus. Using AutoFocus in combination with the AutoFocus Server means that, rather than letting AutoFocus deal with the task of crawling and indexing sources, this task is performed by the AutoFocus Server. Where in AutoFocus you previously would use a certain source, you can then define a AutoFocus Server source. One of the benefits of this approach is that the AutoFocus Server can be queried by an unlimited number of AutoFocus clients, i.e., you can share an index with multiple users. Also this makes disclosing the information in a web-based format possible.

Q2. What is the difference between products and semantic technologies?

A2. An Aduna product can be downloaded, installed and used directly. It is a solution for an enterprise search problem. Aduna products are AutoFocus and AutoFocus Server.
Semantic technologies are software components. They can also be downloaded and installed, but they are mostly used as components in a solution.
Note that all products and technology components are open source.

Support

Q1. Can I use my own sources like file systems and databases in AutoFocus and AutoFocus Server?

A1. At this time AutoFocus (Server) support the following sources: file systems, websites and IMAP email sources. If you want to include a source of another type, like a database, AutoFocus will need a specific connector. AutoFocus uses the Aperture Java framework for extracting and querying full-text content and metadata from various information systems. More information on: aperture.sourceforge.net

Q2. What about my own metadata and ontologies?

A2. AutoFocus and AutoFocus Server extract and store a fixed set of metadata properties such as document titles, authors, etc. It could very well be that your documents contain other, company-specific metadata properties as well. In order to extract, index and query these, one would need to adapt AutoFocus and/or AutoFocus Server code. We can offer consultancy and development support for achieving this.

Q3. Where can I find the sources of products and components?

A3. The sources and other technical information can be found at the Aduna developer website: www.aduna-software.org.

Q4. Where can I get developer support?

A4. If you are a developer and you want more in-depth technical information on Aduna products and components, please go to the Aduna developer website: www.aduna-software.org. Sesame has its own website: www.openrdf.org. On both websites you will find documentation, the sources, issue trackers and more. Note: you can buy an Aduna Development Support Contract. This will give you direct access to the technical team. Read more...

Other

Q1. Is Aduna software Open Source Software (OSS)?

A1. Sesame and Aperture are fully Open Source. AutoFocus is available for free, but is no longer Open Source. Our other components and products are available under a proprietary license only.

Q2. But we don't like open source. Can we pay for the software?

A2. For organizations that want additional warranties and indemnifications, Aduna offers a proprietary license, called the Aduna Commercial License. This paid license includes a support contract and the license does not have the obligation to return source code to the community.

Q3. What's this about "open source communities"?

A3. Open source communities are groups of users and developers centered around a software package. Example: the Sesame community can be found at www.openrdf.org. Usually communities have a few moderators that organise the communication. In software communities these primus inter pares organise and control new releases of the software. Aduna fosters the openrdf.org community, but does not control it.

Q4. Why has Aduna a hard time meeting release dates?

A4. Good question! Usually we too optimistic with the software release date! Working with a limited core development team that has a heavy work load does not help either. We welcome any assistance.

Q5. What kind of company is Aduna?

A5. Aduna is company that develops and distributes open source and commercial software. We like to see ourselves as technology minded people. We love to talk for hours about our software, but we also like to work on software that really does the job. We hate crap and like to work on improvements.

Q6. How does Aduna make money?

A6. We make money by selling commercial licenses, support contracts, consultancy and training. We use this money to continue the development of our sofware.

Q7. How can we support Aduna?

A7. By downloading and using our software. Please give us your valuable feedback. You can even contribute to our software.

Contact our sales team

If you have any questions on Aduna licensen, services, consultancy and training, please contact the Aduna sales team.