Semantic search anyone ?

neena · #1 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008, 09:47 PM

Microsoft, in its aquisition binge has just recently aquired a company called Powerset that will help microsoft fight Google's dominance. Powerset specializes in semantic search

Quote:

The technique uses a variety of linguistic tools to interpret the meaning of search phrases to produce the most accurate results. The method has been in development for more than 10 years.

Whats the difference in this method and the one google uses ? Or are they both the same ??

liowkc · #2 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008, 01:06 AM

POWERSET is search engine for searching Wikipedia that use conventional phrasing instead of keywords, in contrast with Google.

The technology breaks down the meaning of words and sentences into related concepts, freeing users from typing in the exact words.

hwang · #3 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008, 05:05 AM

At the moment, it is only limited to search for wiki pages. Hopefully we can see more expansion coming soon to include other areas as well similar like google.

Maybe it's their strategy to stick to specialized niche for the search so that people searching for wiki only comes to Powerset.

neena · #4 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008, 02:52 PM

Thats pretty interesting, but why would microsoft aquire something that would only work for wiki, i'm sure there would be more applications they have in mind. I'm sure MS will integrate it with its live search. Good for my articles then

I won't have to be a slave to the holy keywords.

hwang · #5 (**permalink**) 07-04-2008, 04:08 AM

Yeah, maybe integrate the current Powerset algo to their live search to make it better. Either way, they could also maintain the current usage to focus only on niche search just like what Powerset actually do from the beginning.

liowkc · #6 (**permalink**) 07-04-2008, 04:26 AM

I think Hwang has gotten Microsoft's intentions right on spot. Microsoft is trying out all the shortcuts to triump Google in the search business.