Today, Microsoft announced that it was abandoning development of the FAST search engine for Linux and Unix.  Given that Microsoft paid $1.2 billion for FAST, the move is an apparent revelation of a strategy to get non-Windows based users to move to an enterprise Windows platform rather than to continue to support FAST.

Read more on Microsoft Abandons FAST On Linux and Unix and Opens the Door For Solr…

From the Meetup site:

We’ll look at the thriving Ruby ecosystem that has grown up around integrating with Solr. From Ruby gems that integrate with Solr like solrb and rsolr, to general search solutions like acts_as_solr and sunspot. We’ll also look at a complete “shrink wrapped” catalog solution for Solr using BlacklightOPAC.

Read more on Eric Pugh to speak on Solr at Shenandoah Ruby Users Group October 27th…

I’m very pleased to be speaking to Richmond SPIN (Software Process Improvement Network) next Wednesday October 14th, at 6:00 pm at Anthem BCBS in Richmond.  The address is 2015 Staples Mill Road in Richmond.  You can find more details and register online at:

Read more on Arin Sime to speak on Agile at Richmond SPIN October 14th…