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Technical News & Discussion => Windows News & Discussion => Topic started by: john on Apr 30, 2009, 13:22:40

Title: This Sounds Promising
Post by: john on Apr 30, 2009, 13:22:40
Wolfram Alpha (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8026331.stm)

It will be interesting to see if it lives up to its promises.
Title: Re: This Sounds Promising
Post by: Rik on Apr 30, 2009, 13:24:40
It could. I wonder if Google will aim to strangle it at birth, John?
Title: Re: This Sounds Promising
Post by: Glenn on Apr 30, 2009, 14:14:49
Or buy it
Title: Re: This Sounds Promising
Post by: Rik on Apr 30, 2009, 14:26:32
Unless MS think it might give them an edge and get there first.
Title: Re: This Sounds Promising
Post by: Sebby on Apr 30, 2009, 17:25:35
Interesting stuff. Personally, I can't see anyone really moving away from Google now, even just because of the familiarity factor. I think I read this morning that the Google brand is worth the most of all brands.
Title: Re: This Sounds Promising
Post by: Rik on Apr 30, 2009, 17:26:34
A billion dollars, wasn't it? Amazing achievement really.
Title: Re: This Sounds Promising
Post by: Sebby on Apr 30, 2009, 17:27:27
Something like that. It is quite an achievement.
Title: Re: This Sounds Promising
Post by: Gary on Apr 30, 2009, 17:28:21
I like to be able to look over a list of possible answers and I always end up off looking for other things, I can't see myself straying far from Google even though its evil, but the idea is interesting
Title: Re: This Sounds Promising
Post by: Gary on Apr 30, 2009, 17:29:22
Quote from: Rik on Apr 30, 2009, 17:26:34
A billion dollars, wasn't it? Amazing achievement really.
I bet the kids who sold youtube to them for shares are happy
Title: Re: This Sounds Promising
Post by: Rik on Apr 30, 2009, 17:33:44
I think you're right. :)
Title: Re: This Sounds Promising
Post by: Gary on Apr 30, 2009, 17:38:00
Quote from: Rik on Apr 30, 2009, 17:33:44
I think you're right. :)
I also bet the sold a few as well, how many did they get? Fourteen million dollars worth wasn't it? That seems high, but until I have more coffee I'm not going looking  ;D
Title: Re: This Sounds Promising
Post by: Sebby on Apr 30, 2009, 23:28:01
Quote from: Gary on Apr 30, 2009, 17:28:21
I like to be able to look over a list of possible answers and I always end up off looking for other things, I can't see myself straying far from Google even though its evil, but the idea is interesting

Yep, well put.
Title: Re: This Sounds Promising
Post by: john on May 01, 2009, 00:00:45
From what I understand it works differently to Google in that it is supposed to compute an answer directly rather than simply displaying a list of web pages which may or may not have the solution to a question.

It seems to be mainly useful for scientific data rather than a general seach engine to rival Google.

I envisage that it may be difficult to phrase questions correctly in order for it to return a meaningful and correct answer though.
Title: Re: This Sounds Promising
Post by: Rik on May 01, 2009, 06:36:32
Be handy for all those undergrads looking for essays. :)