[Sigia-l] People thinking like computers (was ROI/Value of Search Engine...)

[lisa colvin]

--- Jay Linden <jeigh at rogers.com> wrote:
> Ultimately, it will always be feasible for a good
> search engine to find 
> specific information and it will always be
> infeasible for a good search 
> engine to read the minds of end users who aren't
> sure of what they seek. 

Interesting point. Mind-reading = understanding query
intent. Formal semanticists and philosophers work on
issues of intentionality, yet cs implementations of
these theories have been of minimal success. 
Unformalized systems like AskJeeves first raised (in
its promise), then lowered (in its delivery) general
user expectations of the limits of computer
understanding.

We are adaptable animals. So we adapt to the system.

I've often seen (uncited) that typical web queries are
only one- or two words. Does anyone have the original
study/cite?

> So long as we stop trying to prove otherwise, we
> will understand that 
> the ultimate resolution for this gap is to have
> human assistance 
> available wherever it is likely the end users aren't
> going to be sure of 
> what they seek.  The more prompt and patient these

Exactly. AI can only do so much. 

peace,

lisa

:: lisa dawn colvin
:: ontologies / nl / web search

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