Searching Wikipedia the Powerset.com way
Posted By RichC on May 13, 2008
Search technology is improving daily and its a good thing considering the amount of information expanding on the web. A company called Powerset has recently launched their their first product which improves Wikipedia searching. Current search uses keywords to return results, but this isn’t always the easiest way to narrow and find answers. What Powerset does is to use “ordinary human language” in the form of phrases or simple questions to improve results. It doesn’t stop once a subject is found, but adds powerful tools which help surf through the article finding the exact content through an embedded “Article Outline” sidebar. Its quick and easy use either the “Outline” or “Factz” scanning of the Wikipedia article using this tool. I’ll use a “biodiesel” search question as my example below.
First, navigate to the Powerset.com page and enter in a question. Mine was an attempt to find the ASTM standards for bioidiesel so I asked a basic question which returned several results noting highlighted segments of Wikipedia’s database. Simple to see that the first result looks like it should work, I select it with a click. (I could also select the ‘down arrowhead’ to expand the article inline — nice touch)
The Wikipedia information is then displayed along with several navigation and “Factz” adds in an embedded right sidebar. This is used to speedily navigate and find information in the article. In my search, I’m looking for the ASTM Technical Standard for biodiesel which you’ll note Powerset has highlighted in their “Article Outline” embedded sidebar. Simple enough, select the yellow highlighted “Technical Standards” and the article scrolls swiftly up or down to locate that information … which again is highlighted in the Wikipedia article. (below)
Although I haven’t used Powerset all that much yet, I’m bookmarking (and Tabbing on my tool bar in place of Wikipedia) for everyday use. Be sure to give it a try and check out the “Factz” feature too.
What are Factz?
Factz are concise representations of information extracted from sentences. They are represented in three parts: the subject, relation and object (e.g. Oswald shot JFK). Factz are one way that Powerset represents the meaning of a sentence. Of course, Factz do not always represent truth, but rather propositions that are asserted in the text of Wikipedia.
On the search results page, you will often see Factz for general topic queries. These Factz are collected from pages across Wikipedia. Click a word in one of the three columns to see the sentences that support the selected fact.
On a particular topic page, you can see the Factz extracted from the given page in the outline. Click on one to scroll directly to the sentence from which the fact was derived.
Powerset Demo Video from officialpowerset on Vimeo.
Smartphone news: Blackberry Bold … Nice!
Posted By RichC on May 12, 2008
Palm better get their act together with a new high end Treo because Research In Motion introduced their new Blackberry Bold today. They seem to be catching up with Apple’s iPhone although some say Apple is prepping for the gen-2 iPhone … still they suffer from not having a dedicated tactual keyboard. There might still be a window for other high performance smartphone players since both the iPhone and new Blackberry Bold are only available on the AT&T networks.
Blackberry Bold specs:
* Size – Length: 114mm, Width: 66mm, Thickness: 14mm
* Weight (with battery) – 133g (same as the 88xx series. I can attest to it!)
* Memory – 1GB on-board (storage) and 128 MB Flash (applications)
* Battery – 1500mAhr lithium cell
* Est. Battery Life – Standby: 13 days, Talk Time: 5 hours
* Network Support – UMTS: 2100 / 1900 / 850MHz, GSM: 1900 / 1800 / 900 / 850 MHz, GPRS, EDGE and HDSPA networks
* Wi-Fi – 803.11a/b/g enabled
* Display – HVGA, 480 x 320 pixels, Transmissive TFT LCD, supports over 65k colors
* Media Player, Video Support – DivX 4, Div X 5 & 6 are partially supported, XviD is partially supported, H.263, H.264 and WMV3
* Media Player, Audio Support – .3gp, MP3, WMA9 (.wma/.asf), WMA9 Pro/WMA 10, MIDI, AMR-NB, Professional AAC/AAC+/eAAC+
* Media Player, Audio – BlackBerry Media Sync allows you to transfer your desktop iTunes music to your BlackBerry!!!
* Camera – 2.0MP, 5 x digital zoom (with flash of course)
* GPS – internal GPS with extended ephemeris, BB Maps is standard
* Bluetooth – Bluetooth v2.0, all the normal stuff and Bluetooth Stereo Audio via A2DP and AVCRP
* USB Port – Enables charging and high-speed data synchronizations via USB “A” to mini-USB “B” cable (I can personally say moving files back and forth is now lightning quick!)
* Browser – HTML browsing, View Movies/Clips from websites built for mobile streaming, RSS feed support
Here’s a good look at the “business” of RIMM and Apple … as well a a peek at the new Blackberry Bold. (CNBC video clip below)
Nationally subsidized oil & commodity speculators
Posted By RichC on May 12, 2008
Water cooler conversations around the country have been discussing fuel prices and what they (and our nation) can do to get a handle on the rapid change in fuel costs. Experts suggest that the reason for the run up have been four fold: a) increased worldwide demand, b) flat production of new crude and refined fuels, c) the weak U.S. dollar … and d) oil speculation due to lower returns in other investments (as well as speculation on other commodities affected by high oil). Currently there is a move to tighten up requirements for oil speculators as well as to conserve by tightening up fuel economy standards while the U.S. continues to work on ‘green’ alternatives, but most of this will take time — something our economy may not have.
In my opinion an immediate relief is needed, and for the U.S. it will require intervention that will permit American oil companies access to a few more currently off limit known oil reserve areas. It will also require trade talks with emerging countries (ie. China and India) and oil producing countries who currently subsidized their citizens fuels. (see CNBC video clip below) I believe that the act of approving additional U.S. capacity will send a signal to speculators, and in turn might prevent an additional run-up in crude pricing … even though the new U.S. oil production will be slow to come online. Trade talks with oil production nations who subsidized their citizens ‘below market priced fuels’ will also help to reduce worldwide demand and keep oil from doubling from here … and at least slow the appetite for gasoline and diesel to prevent threatening and ‘fuel price’ induced worldwide economic slowdown or worse.
CNBC had a good discussion Monday morning which discussed a couple of these points.
Current clean & efficient vehicle options
Posted By RichC on May 12, 2008
In a recent PBS Motorweek program, a selection of clean and efficient vehicles were compared to each other. They certainly were not equal for usability or price, but the comparison offered potential buyers insight on how the different ‘green’ technologies and most common fueling options compared to each other. The smaller Honda Civics were ideal for around town commuting and the Hybrid version was the cleaner and most efficient, but the Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI Bluetec impressed the reviewers as a highway vehicle for its torque and comfort traits. As for the reviewed offerings from GM, the Chevy Tahoe E85 or gasoline V8 4WD was tested against the hybrid version of the same … and although there was some improvement using E85 or the hybrid technology, its not exactly an econo-box when it comes to lean and green. (video clip below)
Happy Mother’s Day Brenda
Posted By RichC on May 11, 2008
This might seem odd, but a new Royal Star Magnolia (Stellata Magnolia) is a gift that made my wife happy on Mother’s Day — photo and post from Palm Treo. (EDIT: tweaked post Sunday afternoon)
Happy Mother’s Day Brenda … and to all mothers reading this. (in fact I think I’ll give ‘my’ mother a call)
Image searching with TinEye.com
Posted By RichC on May 10, 2008
Here’s an interesting search engine designed for images from TinEye.com. The unique search actually searches by “pixel” and not words or keyword and will find similar photos and graphical files located on other website on the Internet. Although the site is currently no where close to archiving the billions of images on webpages, it does search 487 million images as of May 2008. It is interesting to know just what images are being used and where and might offer another way to track down similar sites.
TinEye was mentioned in Amber McArthur’s blog, which I’ll include below, and my have a unique way for web surfers to look for image content. I don’t see it surpassing Google for Images, but the technology being employed is cutting edge. Very interesting.
Economic Stimulus check arrives
Posted By RichC on May 9, 2008
We’ve been waiting for our Economic Stimulus Check to arrive and “plunk” in was electronically transferred into our checking account May 9, 2008. So the next step is to be patriotic and “simulate” the American economy. My wife and I have discussed this and are in agreement that we will replace our kitchen dishwasher … but there is a problem: She wants a Bosch (made in Germany) and I’m wanting to purchase an American made model? Her point is that she has been unhappy with the two previous domestic models (Maytag and KitchenAid) and that her mother loves her energy efficient, quiet, stainless steel Bosch dishwasher. Hmm?
Earthrace has lousy stop in Puerto Rico
Posted By RichC on May 7, 2008
The Earthrace crew is almost to the Panama as of the evening of May 7th (MAP) after a bad fuel stop in Puerto Rico. The ship carrying the biodiesel fuel for Earthrace had mechanical problems and was able to make it to port. The talented groundcrew scrambled to find a new source of biodiesel on Puerto Rico, unfortunately the best they could do was to find a company to make some fresh biodiesel. The process took time and kept them in port for 30 hours (28 more than planned). The “crew are all just flat and disappointed” after this stop and Captain Pete Bethune continued to express concern in his latest radio report about a Panama Canal strike which could slow their transit through the Central American canal. Stay tuned.
McCain’s veep — Bobby Jindal?
Posted By RichC on May 6, 2008
Although I suspect Senator McCain might be persuaded to pick a more established Republican running mate, I’ve been monitoring the ‘chatter’ and am starting to think positively about Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. With Jindal, McCain would bring a generation of new blood into the campaign and be able to win over the Ronald Reagan voters … and even right wing mouthpieces like Rush Limbaugh. (something the GOP “get out the vote” folks want to see happen)
Bobby Jindal, is only 36 and would compliment an aging John McCain well. He would offer an answer those turning to Obama over concern for the ‘age/generational’ reason. Last year, Jindal became the nation’s youngest governor — he exudes optimism for the struggling people of Louisiana; optimism is something our country really could use. I remember the ‘positive toned’ Ronald Reagan in 1980 after 4 negative years ‘weak’ America under Jimmy Carter. A little American pride and optimism would be helpful.
Jindal is the son of Indian immigrants who asks is friends at age four to call him Bobby after the Brady Bunch TV show character according to an article. He’s bright, graduating with honors from Brown University and attended Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. Before being elected as governor, he was elected to the House, served as an assistant secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and suffered a political loss his first run for governor. At age 36, he may be just what the McCain ticket needs … especially seeing that a McCain – Romney tickets receive only lukewarm attention. The polls show Romney actually hurts McCain with moderate voters. (Hmm … recent articles suggest that Bobby Jindal is not seeking the running mate spot with John McCain, but then most serious candidates would probably say that?)
EDIT: Same thoughts 😉 — Bill Krystal Op-Ed in the NYTimes
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.