Sphinx is an open-source search tool that can also do other magic. Blazing full-scans, easy multi-core and multi-box queries, and wicked fast math spring to mind. When the queries are right, 1-billion-pageview sites switch from MySQL to Sphinx for over 90% of the query impact. It also has 175 (and counting) configuration directives, and probably also walks dogs. So come join to hear about the nitty gritty tech details, learn the neat tricks that we have up our sleeves, and to share yours.
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Video producer: http://www.meetup.com/sf-mysql/