This page references "BlueBerry", an IBM-internal project I created in 2007. Designed to provide a search interface across multiple databases using commodity hardware, BlueBerry made unique use of over 100 surplus IBM ThinkPads. Consult the links below for more information.
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How it Works - Examples - BlueBerry. |  |
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The BlueBerry web interface is designed to function similar to a web search engine like Google or Yahoo. Simply put as many query terms as you like in the search box, the more precise the query the more likely the records returned will be relevant. For details on how to use the web application effectively for a wide variety of use cases, please consult the Search Tips. Developers, user interface designers and Web 2.0 application creators may want to use the BlueBerry API's and can find more detail on the SOAP & AJAX page. This page focuses on real-world examples of how to use the BlueBerry application SOAP and AJAX API's to deliver innovative solutions to common business problems. AJAX API Examples One simple but useful thing to do is provide BlueBerry lookups directly on a webpage. Consider the w3.ibm.com Home Page Example [IBM Internal use only], where the BlueBerry search box has replaced the bluepages search area. Although an apparently simple example, the BlueBerry search engine provides important benefits over existing tools in this context. Existing tools require you to specify the field you are searching, whereas BlueBerry is free-form text. If you want to find a name associated with an email, haringtn@us.ibm.com, for example, you'll need to select "Internet Address" from the pull down box, then type in your query and select search. In the BlueBerry example link directly above, you simply need to type in the search text and the desired information will appear immediately. While simple in description and function, the seconds saved by any IBM'er performing this very common query add up to real increases in efficiency. Now add access to the unique BlueBerry data store and good things start to happen. For example, on the w3.ibm.com Home Page Example [IBM internal use only], there is a story headline about Delivery excellence. Perhaps you want to see who has rooms reserved for "delivery" meetings in the near future. Specify a date and the word delivery, '11/26 delivery', for example, and BlueBerry will find all people with meeting rooms reserved for "delivery" meetings on that date. Please consult the Search Tips page for more information on how to specify queries. Another example of using a BlueBerry AJAX API search box is available that mimics the RESERV [IBM Internal use only] application. Normally used to reserve conference rooms for mmetings or events, with BlueBerry you can do many useful things directly from the application. Lets say you want to book a meeting in conference room 'RPL-060-01-C119' as shown on the example. You don't have a thinkpad but you're pretty sure someone has reserved meetings in that room before who has one. Use the BlueBerry search box in the bottom left hand corner to search on 'RPL-060-01-C119 thinkpad', and BlueBerry will find people who are probably nearby to that room and might let you use their thinkpad for a presentation. SOAP API Examples BlueBerry provides a SOAP interface for access to search results in XML, enabling easy integration with existing applications and IBM's SOA business strategy. Check the SOAP & AJAX page for more details on the xml document format and location of the wsdl file. Consider the following example: A large IBM site-service location similar to White Plains or Research Triangle Park has a custom application that allows them to see all inbound and outbound network traffic to their physical location. Sorted by ip address, this application processes an enormous amount of data. Users want access to quick lookups instead of manually cutting and pasting ip address into hostname and owner serial number lookups. Application designers can integrate and interface to the BlueBerry service as part their application to solve this problem. For example, BlueBerry's SOAP interface can show you who owns an IP Address - run a query like: perl "-MSOAP::Lite service=>'file:./BlueBerrySearch.wsdl'" -le "print doBlueberrySearch('blueberry.raleigh.ibm.com')" and BlueBerry will return the following snippet of XML: ... <item xsi:type="ns1:ResultElement"> <email xsi:type="xsd:string">haringtn@us.ibm.com</email> <uid xsi:type="xsd:string">3A8955897</uid> <callupname xsi:type="xsd:string">Harrington, Nathan J.</callupname> </item> ... The SOAP and AJAX interfaces support the same query syntax as the web application. Applications that use BlueBerry's SOAP interface can access records for queries designed to search any of the 14 databases in the BlueBerry datastore. Possibilities Let's not stop with just these examples, take it to the next level with some ideas made possible by BlueBerry API's:
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Learn about BlueBerry's entry in the Situational Applications Environment contest.
Search BlueBerry data (IBM internal use only):
BlueBerry was created by Nathan Harrington.