Search Overload
May 16th, 2009 | Published in Uncategorized, demographics
I write about search a lot. Let me clarify that. I write about what can be found with search, not the search itself. I write about techniques and tools.
So it will come as no surprise that I read a huge amount about new search technologies and new tools. A whole honkin’ lot. I used to crack up when I ‘d hear people say honkin’ in my MidWest days
But I digress.
Suffice it to say, I read a lot about search.
In the past several weeks, I have seen about a kabillion articles about Wolfram/Alpha – a “computational knowledge engine.” You think I’m exaggerating? Maybe a little, but here are some highlights: Note that this is a small percentage of the stories out there, these are all from this week, and the Google Stories all pin them against W/A. Oh my!
One Man’s Answer Newsweek
Wolfram Alpha Is Live!! Digital Media Online
New “Search Engine” WolframAlpha Testlaunched Last Night ShortNews.com
Wonky Wolfram|Alpha Best Left to the Geek Clique E-Commerce Times
Wolfram Alpha is ready for you to try CrunchGear
WolframAlpha is now live! Gadget news and reviews
Real-time search: the next big thing Brand Republic
Google suffers major failure Computerworld
Wolfram Alpha to Launch Friday Evening MIT Technology Review
Wolfram Alpha review Telegraph.co.uk
Wolfram Alpha to Run On Supercomputers PC Magazine
Wolfram Alpha and other ways to enhance database journalism Nieman Journalism Lab at Harvard
Creating A Mind-Monster Is Harder Than It Looks
I felt so bombarded that I vowed not to write about it. But today, the highly respected Gary Price of Resourceshelf sent out a brief description and a link to his mini-users-guide and I realized that I was being stubborn (imagine that).
So I’ve given in. Sold out.
I have to admit (reluctantly) that Wolfram Alpha really may be the best thing since sliced bread. Try it (everyone else is). It’s pretty honkin’ amazing.
Go look and take a few minutes and watch the W/A screencast.

