De-Dupe-ing Around
Last week, Symantec unleashed some of its plans to integrate de-duplication solutions with its backup software products. A few weeks back, EMC launched de-duplication for its VTL systems adding to its Avamar de-dupe product. Data Domain continues to add to its portfolio with system and software announcements coming fast and furious. IBM realized it needed something in the de-dupe world and bought Diligent. NetApp bragged about their de-dupe success on its latest earnings call and Quantum continues to make de-dupe hay with customers (I just spoke to a very happy one). FalconStor and Sepaton are getting de-dupe going, and there are plenty of others that are making de-dupe part of their offerings. Whoever is building and selling it, de-dupe is everywhere. This week's bullets are geared to some non-technical applications of de-dupe that could make life easier.
- I travel a lot but rarely check a bag (unlike some of my ESG colleagues who like to wait at baggage claim). However, given that a lot of luggage looks the same, people do everything from tying pink ribbons around their bags to taping political stickers so that they can identify which one is theirs when it comes out. What if an airline could tell you when you are checking it 'this is a near duplicate bag, we are going to put a big bright orange tag on all similar bags that reads 'MAKE SURE THIS IS YOUR BAG' so that no one gets confused. It takes the worrying part out of the baggage claim process that is already packed with the 'I hope they didn't lose it' mindset.
- The Tech Niece is having a birthday party at the end of the month. And, as we all know, there is a chance that someone will bring the same gift (clothes, game, etc). As the giver, it would be great to be notified that you brought a duplicate gift as opposed to having it opened (a second time). Yes, I know, this problem is often solved by a registry for certain events. But, you cannot have a registration process for every event involving gifts. A de-dupe alarm to save off embarrassment would be great.
- The Tech Wife has a habit of being very proactive when she goes to the grocery store. She sees the ketchup is running low so she buys a new one and puts it into the fridge. What happens? We (she) then uses the new one while the old one is still in there. This happens across multiple items. It would be great if the refrigerator could de-duplicate and consolidate or vice versa.
- As stated above, I am a frugal packer because I refuse to check a bag. When I am traveling for an extended period of time, I try to coordinate my clothes as much as possible. I often forget if I have already packed a blue pair of pants and sometimes I have dig through the suitcase to double check. This ruins all the work that I have done to that point. It would be nice if the suitcase would let me know 'Hey, we are good with the blue pants, now pack some shirts to match'.
How about closet de-dupe? It would warn you before you get a white t-shirt or something that you already own one that is in good condition?
Wallet de-dupe: to keep you from collecting too many pennies?
Pantry de-dupe: how many times have you purchased too much toilet paper/laundry detergent and so on because you forgot you had already purchased.
Also cooking de-dupe: to keep you from adding too much salt/cayenne pepper/insert your favorite ingredient here.
Posted by: Jame Ervin | June 16, 2008 at 02:39 PM
The Costco/BJ's/Sam's Club De-Dupe: You may still have a three month supply of bar soap, ziplock bags, granola bars, gum or (insert bulk item here), but when you roll through the store isle, you somehow are drawn into buying another two years' worth.
Take my aluminum foil, please!
Posted by: VR718 | June 18, 2008 at 03:21 PM