3. Searching For Files

 Kat is a search tool that is able to index your files based on the content of the file, thus allowing you to look for files on your system. For example it can help you find all of your PDF documents containing a given project. Kat is made of two parts: a daemon responsible for periodically indexing files, and an interface to manage catalogs and perform searches.

Choose System+Archiving+OtherKat from the main menu to open Kat.

Figure 7.5. Kat Catalogs View

Kat Catalogs View
  1. Check configuration

    Launch the setup wizard (SettingsLaunch Wizard) to check everything works correctly. Pay particular attention to the Helper Programs step. If some applications are missing, it is time to install them through the Mandriva Linux Control Center (see Chapter 13, Package Management through Rpmdrake).

  2. Add Catalogs

    This is done using the CatalogNew menu, or by right-clicking on the Kat applet, and choosing Configure KAT, then clicking on the Add button in the Catalog section.

    [Tip]Tip

    Add a catalog for your home folder, and another one for /usr/share/doc so that you can perform searches both on your personal files and on the documentation installed on your computer.

  3. Check Indexation is Done

    After adding new catalogs it can take some time before they get fully indexed. To check the indexation status of each catalog, simply click on the Kat applet.

  4. Perform Searches

     Click on the search button in Kat's main interface to toggle to the search utility.

    Figure 7.6. Sample Search Using Kat

    Sample Search Using Kat