The search for the stars

Last week, the much-hyped Wolfram Alpha search engine went live. This week, Microsoft is expected to demonstrate its new 'Kumo' search platform. Both products have attracted much attention from the press and techies alike, but can either really challenge the dominance of Google as a search facility?

For the overwhelming majority of web users, the Google search service has become the de facto tool for searching the web. Former market leaders such as Yahoo have struggled to stay afloat while the word 'Google' is so popular that it has moved from a noun to a verb - a 21st century Hoover.

But do the new pretenders pose a threat?

Wolfram Alpha isn't exactly a 'Championship contender,' either in format or function. The brainchild of scientist Stephen Wolfram, aims to answer questions not in the normal 'keyword' format of traditional search engines, but in natural language. Early reactions have been mixed and the site has not been without its early critics but it does appear to return some interestingly different results,

Even when the early kinks are worked out, one has to question whether Wolfram Alpha will solve a genuine market need. After all, Google is pretty popular with users and while the keyword system has its flaws, it has worked pretty well so far. Rather than replace or compete with Google, it appears that Wolfram Alpha will have to settle for supplementing it instead. The new engine does do certain things better than Google, and it may be able to carve out a niche in the market. Perhaps that will be enough for Wolfram.

The situation is very different for Microsoft. Its long-awaited next-generation search technology, code-named Kumo, will be mount a direct assault on Google. The Company's recent attempt to acquire Yahoo was based almost solely on boosting revenues and when that deal fell through, Microsoft turned its attention in-house to construct a Google killer.

Watch this space for the ensuing battle of the technology giants.

Gareth

Based on an excellent article by Shaun Nichols of vnunet.com