Searching TDM/TDMS Files with the Windows Vista

Primary software:  DIAdem
Primary software version:  10.2
Specific primary software version:  N/A
Secondary software:  N/A

 

In Windows Vista, Microsoft has introduced technology that has substantially improved the search functionality of the operating system. The result is the Instant Search, a tool that provides search results almost immediately, and that can be accessed from almost anywhere in the operating system. The Instant Search works like a table of contents for the entire hard drive, which is created in the background from file properties and file creation dates. If you enter search criteria in the Instant Search, Windows displays dynamically-changing results meeting these criteria. You can search for files based on properties such as the author or creation date. If you enter additional search criteria the results are filtered accordingly.

The Windows Vista Instant Search can read the contents of several file formats such as Microsoft Office documents, internet sites, e-mails, and calendar data. For example, if you search for the word "Speed", it finds all the files that have this word in the filename. At the same time, it displays all the Word documents that include this search term in the contents of the file. However, the Instant Search does not search the contents of TDM/TDMS files natively.

However, National Instruments has developed an extension for the Windows Vista Instant Search, which enables you to index the contents of TDM/TDMS files which is attached below. After you install the extension and the files are reindexed, the Instant Search can use the above-mentioned search criteria to find TDM/TDMS files that have a file, group, or channel property that contains the word "Speed".

Although you can search for files containing specific words, the Windows Vista Instant Search is limited in that it cannot interpret structural information. Therefore you cannot specify a specific location that you want to search for within the file. For example, you cannot limit your search to files containing the property in the heading of a Word document or a specific channel group in a TDM/TDMS file.

Installation:

Download the tdm_ifilter.msi file and double-click the file to install it.
 
 

Searching Engineering Data –Beyond Instant Search–

While Windows Vista searching capabilities may satisfy general users, they may not be adequate for engineers and scientists. Windows Vista helps you quickly locate saved files based on metadata, but you cannot search file content to identify meaningful information.

For example, you might have thousands of files containing data from experiments or tests. To make educated decisions based on information stored in those files, you must not only search to find the files but also identify key information or establish trends within the files; neither are tasks that Instant Search can accomplish. To find and interpret data rapidly, you need additional tools, such as the National Instruments DataFinder.

With the DataFinder, you can perform simple or advanced searches based on key descriptive information across multiple file formats. For example, you can search the hard drive for all files associated with a specific serial number, status, and test type. Also, the DataFinder picks up where Vista Instant Search leaves off, allowing you to search within the structure of your data files. Meaning, for example, you can search for files containing the word “Speed” in a specific channel group. After narrowing the data set, you can use NI DIAdem software to perform further analysis and reporting in the same environment.

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Downloads

tdm_ifilter.zip

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I didn't know about this feature . Thanks for letting me know about this.
- Micrososft vista,. rinki_fox @yahoo.co.in - Sep 12, 2007