(no subject)
A couple of things in tech:
Wolfram Alpha has launched, in an attempt to distribute a know it all to the masses, but unfortunately the one we have recieved is autistic.
It is meant to answer questions - like a calculator is a tool for answering mathematical problems, this is a calculator for facts and data.
The attempt to encompass this is a lot of natural language processing, and the solution entails building something bigger than Wolfram's Ego.
The examples work but the web is now littered with counterexamples.
Microsoft have amalgamated their search offerings together under a new brand and direction. Presenting 'Bing' - A 'decision engine' apparently.
It isn't here yet but there is an annoying video which shows the perfect consumer tool. Want to buy stuff find stuff to buy.
It isn't anything new beyond better integration of existing components, geared towards purchasing things.
Google on the other hand have come up with something novel - a wave. A numver of simple extentions to existing instant messaging systems to add significant features - real time editing and collaboration, and structured content containing widgets and media.
On top of this they've developed a highly integrated web app that looks like gmail, but interacts with the desktop (drag and drop), with a lot of well thought out features.
They are releasing the client and the server openly - unlike the highly centralised models of interaction like twitter and facebook - this is more like a new version of jabber/google chat.
In fact, the protocol itself is just an extention to XMPP.
Unlike the last two efforts above, this is achieving something new on top of existing protocols and standards.
And what it is trying to achieve is a federated real time collaborative conversation and content tool.
Which is pretty awesome.
I can see it easily replacing email, forums and instant messaging - even livejounal for me.
As well as replacing bug tracking for work.
It's a great step forward that builds on the present rather than abandoning it. They demonstrated integration with existing apps and keeping most of the features.
I think I should mention again the whole open nature and federated thing - this is not an attempt to build a great tool, but to give everyone a great tool to use.
Wolfram Alpha has launched, in an attempt to distribute a know it all to the masses, but unfortunately the one we have recieved is autistic.
It is meant to answer questions - like a calculator is a tool for answering mathematical problems, this is a calculator for facts and data.
The attempt to encompass this is a lot of natural language processing, and the solution entails building something bigger than Wolfram's Ego.
The examples work but the web is now littered with counterexamples.
Microsoft have amalgamated their search offerings together under a new brand and direction. Presenting 'Bing' - A 'decision engine' apparently.
It isn't here yet but there is an annoying video which shows the perfect consumer tool. Want to buy stuff find stuff to buy.
It isn't anything new beyond better integration of existing components, geared towards purchasing things.
Google on the other hand have come up with something novel - a wave. A numver of simple extentions to existing instant messaging systems to add significant features - real time editing and collaboration, and structured content containing widgets and media.
On top of this they've developed a highly integrated web app that looks like gmail, but interacts with the desktop (drag and drop), with a lot of well thought out features.
They are releasing the client and the server openly - unlike the highly centralised models of interaction like twitter and facebook - this is more like a new version of jabber/google chat.
In fact, the protocol itself is just an extention to XMPP.
Unlike the last two efforts above, this is achieving something new on top of existing protocols and standards.
And what it is trying to achieve is a federated real time collaborative conversation and content tool.
Which is pretty awesome.
I can see it easily replacing email, forums and instant messaging - even livejounal for me.
As well as replacing bug tracking for work.
It's a great step forward that builds on the present rather than abandoning it. They demonstrated integration with existing apps and keeping most of the features.
I think I should mention again the whole open nature and federated thing - this is not an attempt to build a great tool, but to give everyone a great tool to use.