Comments on: Wolfram Alpha: Blind to The Blogosphere http://www.neatorama.com/2009/05/26/wolfram-alpha-blind-to-the-blogosphere/ The Neat Side of the Web Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:51:28 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: molly http://www.neatorama.com/2009/05/26/wolfram-alpha-blind-to-the-blogosphere/comment-page-1/#comment-1753369 molly Thu, 28 May 2009 05:33:52 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=24397#comment-1753369 W/A is not sure what I mean by: "what is the string theory". Me neither, that's why I asked :( W/A is not sure what I mean by: "what is the string theory". Me neither, that's why I asked :(

]]> By: sonja http://www.neatorama.com/2009/05/26/wolfram-alpha-blind-to-the-blogosphere/comment-page-1/#comment-1753101 sonja Wed, 27 May 2009 22:59:17 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=24397#comment-1753101 It knows what a blog is when you specify that it's used as a word: http://www84.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=blog&a=*MC.blog-_*Word- It knows what a blog is when you specify that it's used as a word:
http://www84.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=blog&a=*MC.blog-_*Word-

]]> By: Ali S. http://www.neatorama.com/2009/05/26/wolfram-alpha-blind-to-the-blogosphere/comment-page-1/#comment-1752862 Ali S. Wed, 27 May 2009 20:21:56 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=24397#comment-1752862 This is so awesome. This is so awesome.

]]> By: Padraig http://www.neatorama.com/2009/05/26/wolfram-alpha-blind-to-the-blogosphere/comment-page-1/#comment-1752766 Padraig Wed, 27 May 2009 19:10:47 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=24397#comment-1752766 I am amazed at how W/A is continuously compared to existing engines, such as Google or Wikipedia. Mainly because it does not intend to be a clone or even a "search engine killer" but also because such comments do not take into account that if Google and Wikipedia didn't already have massive databases, containing all sorts of erroneous information (yes, that's particularly targeted at Wikipedia), they wouldn't fare any better than W/A, which is in the toddler stages of its development. And no, it wasn't intended for bloggers. And no, it's not going to predict football scores. And no, it's not intended for ego-searching either. You do realize W/A stems from the same people who do Mathematica, right? And you most certainly wouldn't purchase Mathematica to solve your first grade math assignments, would you? I am amazed at how W/A is continuously compared to existing engines, such as Google or Wikipedia. Mainly because it does not intend to be a clone or even a "search engine killer" but also because such comments do not take into account that if Google and Wikipedia didn't already have massive databases, containing all sorts of erroneous information (yes, that's particularly targeted at Wikipedia), they wouldn't fare any better than W/A, which is in the toddler stages of its development.

And no, it wasn't intended for bloggers. And no, it's not going to predict football scores. And no, it's not intended for ego-searching either. You do realize W/A stems from the same people who do Mathematica, right? And you most certainly wouldn't purchase Mathematica to solve your first grade math assignments, would you?

]]> By: Deanna H http://www.neatorama.com/2009/05/26/wolfram-alpha-blind-to-the-blogosphere/comment-page-1/#comment-1752743 Deanna H Wed, 27 May 2009 18:52:20 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=24397#comment-1752743 Fred Langa did some testing and he wasn't impressed: http://fredlanga.blogspot.com/2009/05/wolfram-alpha-not-ready-for-prime-time.html Fred Langa did some testing and he wasn't impressed:

http://fredlanga.blogspot.com/2009/05/wolfram-alpha-not-ready-for-prim e-time.html

]]> By: Web http://www.neatorama.com/2009/05/26/wolfram-alpha-blind-to-the-blogosphere/comment-page-1/#comment-1752555 Web Wed, 27 May 2009 16:45:31 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=24397#comment-1752555 Just for fun I entered Israel in the search engine. I'm very impressed. Looks to me like the master cartographers over at Wolfram have decided to resolve the mideast conflict by removing the disputed territories from Israel. Is that the job of a search engine-to make political statements? Just for fun I entered Israel in the search engine. I'm very impressed. Looks to me like the master cartographers over at Wolfram have decided to resolve the mideast conflict by removing the disputed territories from Israel. Is that the job of a search engine-to make political statements?

]]> By: chrome http://www.neatorama.com/2009/05/26/wolfram-alpha-blind-to-the-blogosphere/comment-page-1/#comment-1752402 chrome Wed, 27 May 2009 14:39:24 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=24397#comment-1752402 i was glad they tookl the time to make sure it could respond to questions like "how much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?" which really doesn't require to much awnser. how ever if you get a little more abstract with say "Would a woodchuck chuck wood if a woodchuck could chuck wood?" and its completely lost.. its neat, but i want real AI! i was glad they tookl the time to make sure it could respond to questions like "how much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?" which really doesn't require to much awnser. how ever if you get a little more abstract with say "Would a woodchuck chuck wood if a woodchuck could chuck wood?" and its completely lost.. its neat, but i want real AI!

]]> By: Dog Zilla http://www.neatorama.com/2009/05/26/wolfram-alpha-blind-to-the-blogosphere/comment-page-1/#comment-1751966 Dog Zilla Wed, 27 May 2009 09:25:48 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=24397#comment-1751966 Doesn't seem to recognise Wales as in the principality of the UK unless you enter the name of the country in Welsh (Cymru). Doesn't seem to recognise Wales as in the principality of the UK unless you enter the name of the country in Welsh (Cymru).

]]> By: Creamy http://www.neatorama.com/2009/05/26/wolfram-alpha-blind-to-the-blogosphere/comment-page-1/#comment-1751950 Creamy Wed, 27 May 2009 09:19:20 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=24397#comment-1751950 It gave me the age of Robert Redford :-) It gave me the age of Robert Redford :-)

]]> By: Jansie Blom http://www.neatorama.com/2009/05/26/wolfram-alpha-blind-to-the-blogosphere/comment-page-1/#comment-1751948 Jansie Blom Wed, 27 May 2009 09:16:59 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=24397#comment-1751948 I think it works well for what it's intended. And besides, if it's designed the way I perceived it to be designed, it will grow into something better, and maybe even take over the world oneday. It certainly isn't a Google killer. More of a Wikipedia killer, I'd hope. I think it works well for what it's intended. And besides, if it's designed the way I perceived it to be designed, it will grow into something better, and maybe even take over the world oneday. It certainly isn't a Google killer. More of a Wikipedia killer, I'd hope.

]]> By: Snadersnap http://www.neatorama.com/2009/05/26/wolfram-alpha-blind-to-the-blogosphere/comment-page-1/#comment-1751893 Snadersnap Wed, 27 May 2009 07:36:20 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=24397#comment-1751893 The post mentions that Wolfram can convert $'s into British pounds (and other currency conversions) - I just wanted to mention that Google can already do this too! It's actually a fantastic tool for all sorts of conversions. Just type into google, for example, $67USD in British Pounds (or whatever currency you'd like) and the first answer at the top will be the conversion. It works for measurements (e.g. x cm in inches)and weights as well (x pounds in kg). I'm not dissing Wolfram, I just wanted to point out that the feature wasn't unique. The post mentions that Wolfram can convert $'s into British pounds (and other currency conversions) - I just wanted to mention that Google can already do this too! It's actually a fantastic tool for all sorts of conversions. Just type into google, for example, $67USD in British Pounds (or whatever currency you'd like) and the first answer at the top will be the conversion. It works for measurements (e.g. x cm in inches)and weights as well (x pounds in kg). I'm not dissing Wolfram, I just wanted to point out that the feature wasn't unique.

]]> By: Zero http://www.neatorama.com/2009/05/26/wolfram-alpha-blind-to-the-blogosphere/comment-page-1/#comment-1751890 Zero Wed, 27 May 2009 07:18:35 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=24397#comment-1751890 "deer trail" and "deer trail, CO" both met with blank stares. further evidence of my town's overall crappitude "deer trail" and "deer trail, CO" both met with blank stares. further evidence of my town's overall crappitude

]]> By: Eline http://www.neatorama.com/2009/05/26/wolfram-alpha-blind-to-the-blogosphere/comment-page-1/#comment-1751874 Eline Wed, 27 May 2009 06:26:48 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=24397#comment-1751874 Well, this isn't a search engine... as you said, it's an answer engine so I'm quite happy it ignores blogs because there's so much crap written on in those things XD (not that I don't love it, I am after all reading yours haha). Well, this isn't a search engine... as you said, it's an answer engine so I'm quite happy it ignores blogs because there's so much crap written on in those things XD (not that I don't love it, I am after all reading yours haha).

]]> By: Brutal http://www.neatorama.com/2009/05/26/wolfram-alpha-blind-to-the-blogosphere/comment-page-1/#comment-1751871 Brutal Wed, 27 May 2009 06:12:28 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=24397#comment-1751871 Jeez. You guys just don't get it do you? Wolfram is a mathematical search engine, and has little or nothing to do with blogs and websites. Why TF would we need another blog search engine anyway? Jeez. You guys just don't get it do you? Wolfram is a mathematical search engine, and has little or nothing to do with blogs and websites.

Why TF would we need another blog search engine anyway?

]]> By: Profkilljoy7z http://www.neatorama.com/2009/05/26/wolfram-alpha-blind-to-the-blogosphere/comment-page-1/#comment-1751813 Profkilljoy7z Wed, 27 May 2009 04:12:44 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=24397#comment-1751813 It also appears to be blind to information regarding music; with the exception of musicians using only their name (I.E. Justin Timberlake), but it doesn't give any information beyond their birthplace and age. But if you ask it a question about a full band (Even an extremely well know popular one (such as pink floyd) it does not know what to do with your input. As well as television shows. Family guy and The Simpsons mean absolutely nothing to it. Which seems weird considering it seems to like movies. (a search for "The matrix" will yield information about a general topic, a chemical compound, and offer you a chance to alter your meaning to "a movie"). So its not just entertainment as a whole. It also appears to be blind to information regarding music; with the exception of musicians using only their name (I.E. Justin Timberlake), but it doesn't give any information beyond their birthplace and age. But if you ask it a question about a full band (Even an extremely well know popular one (such as pink floyd) it does not know what to do with your input. As well as television shows. Family guy and The Simpsons mean absolutely nothing to it.

Which seems weird considering it seems to like movies. (a search for "The matrix" will yield information about a general topic, a chemical compound, and offer you a chance to alter your meaning to "a movie"). So its not just entertainment as a whole.

]]> By: Bunk Strutts http://www.neatorama.com/2009/05/26/wolfram-alpha-blind-to-the-blogosphere/comment-page-1/#comment-1751798 Bunk Strutts Wed, 27 May 2009 03:52:04 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=24397#comment-1751798 W/A is interesting, but it's too easy to stump. "What is Igde Pshat?" turned up nothing. :( W/A is interesting, but it's too easy to stump. "What is Igde Pshat?" turned up nothing. :(

]]> By: JeffG http://www.neatorama.com/2009/05/26/wolfram-alpha-blind-to-the-blogosphere/comment-page-1/#comment-1751778 JeffG Wed, 27 May 2009 03:22:43 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=24397#comment-1751778 You know, they do have information on websites, you just have to enter the URL correctly: http://wolframalpha.com/input/?i=neatorama.com You know, they do have information on websites, you just have to enter the URL correctly: http://wolframalpha.com/input/?i=neatorama.com

]]> By: Edward http://www.neatorama.com/2009/05/26/wolfram-alpha-blind-to-the-blogosphere/comment-page-1/#comment-1751767 Edward Wed, 27 May 2009 02:54:05 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=24397#comment-1751767 I spent some quality time with W/A. (See what I did there?) It could not produce one verifiable result to any question I asked. No attempts to stump it. Very similar to what Alex did to test it. This sort of over-hyped vaporware is just so 1998. I spent some quality time with W/A. (See what I did there?) It could not produce one verifiable result to any question I asked. No attempts to stump it. Very similar to what Alex did to test it.

This sort of over-hyped vaporware is just so 1998.

]]> By: DaveL http://www.neatorama.com/2009/05/26/wolfram-alpha-blind-to-the-blogosphere/comment-page-1/#comment-1751743 DaveL Wed, 27 May 2009 01:38:31 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=24397#comment-1751743 I totally forgot about the Wolfram/Alpha project so thanks for this post! To be fair, blogs probably aren't a good source for this answer engine anyway. While bloggers are good at accumulating info on narrow topics of interest, sharing links and even creating some useful content/media... they're the last place I would go for basic, reliable, verifiable data or information. Anyway, I'm off to play with this thing. =D I totally forgot about the Wolfram/Alpha project so thanks for this post! To be fair, blogs probably aren't a good source for this answer engine anyway. While bloggers are good at accumulating info on narrow topics of interest, sharing links and even creating some useful content/media... they're the last place I would go for basic, reliable, verifiable data or information. Anyway, I'm off to play with this thing. =D

]]> By: Oomi http://www.neatorama.com/2009/05/26/wolfram-alpha-blind-to-the-blogosphere/comment-page-1/#comment-1751733 Oomi Wed, 27 May 2009 01:30:13 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=24397#comment-1751733 Another way for me to not do my own homework, huzzah! Another way for me to not do my own homework, huzzah!

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