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Software

Taking Powerset for a spin

By Larry Dignan May 11, 2008, 11:43 PM PDT

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Taking Powerset for a spin

Powerset's proof of concept

Powerset's proof of concept

Powerset’s intro to its search.

Taking Powerset for a spin

Powerset meets prosumer

Powerset meets prosumer

First up, I was looking for information on the RIM-Apple war for the prosumer. A term that Wikipedia didn’t carry much of. Thus far, Powerset looks like any other search:

Taking Powerset for a spin

Google on prosumer

Google on prosumer

Google nails it right away. But note that we’re talking Wikipedia vs. the Web.

Taking Powerset for a spin

Powerset's interface at work

Powerset's interface at work

Next up, I was poking around for Bill Gates and Steve Jobs together. One item about semantic search may be user habits. I generally search on nouns out of habit. A semantic search could include Bill Gates stands next to Steve Jobs.

Taking Powerset for a spin

The need for Web indexing

The need for Web indexing

The Google result shows how it’s critical for Powerset to index the Web. That means Powerset will need a lot more funding or be acquired, an outcome that would make a fine exit strategy.

Taking Powerset for a spin

Where Powerset shines

Where Powerset shines

Where Powerset comes in handy is big generic terms and items–the kind of information that’s a Wikipedia specialty. My World War II search gives me a nice interface and key verbs that are relevant to my search on a high level.

Taking Powerset for a spin

Drilling down

Drilling down

And you can drill down on those terms. Here’s a look at how PowerSet grabs verbs and assigns them meaning.

Taking Powerset for a spin

Powerset good for browsing

Powerset good for browsing

While Powerset is great for browsing I already know what I’m looking for–Italy’s botched attack on Greece. Here’s a look at the Powerset breakout on Greece in World War II. If this were a Web search I’d expect to find a lot more references. For instance, I’d expect some information on how Mussolini had to get bailed out by Hitler.

Taking Powerset for a spin

Tough benchmark

Tough benchmark

For comparison’s sake I search on Google to find more information. Two Wikipedia entries lead the page. These items didn’t surface on Powerset.

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By Larry Dignan
Larry Dignan is Editor in Chief at Celonis. He was most recently Vice President, Editorial and Editor in Chief at ZDNet. Prior to that he was executive news editor at eWeek and news editor at Baseline. He also served as the East Coast news editor and
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