Published on Free Government Information (FGI) (http://www.freegovinfo.info)

Open-Source Search Engine Wikia Search

By jajacobs
Created 2008-01-07 08:05

Check out the new search engine wikia search [1]!  It is not only the newest search engine on the block, but also new (and I believe unique) in its values (see Wikia Search Alpha Launched January 7, 2008 [2]):

  1. Transparency - Openness in how the systems and algorithms operate, both in the form of open source licenses and open content + APIs.
  2. Community - Everyone is able to contribute in some way (as individuals or entire organizations), strong social and community focus.
  3. Quality - Significantly improve the relevancy and accuracy of search results and the searching experience.
  4. Privacy - Must be protected, do not store or transmit any identifying data.

Plus, building on the approach that has made Wikipedia [3] so successful, it allows users to enhance the search engine by contributing to "mini articles" on search terms that will provide short definitions of terms,  help disambiguate similar or identical terms, and provide photos and "see also" references.

Here is the NYT coverage: Wiki Citizens Taking on a New Area: Searching [4] By MIGUEL HELFT Published: January 7, 2008.


Source URL:
http://www.freegovinfo.info/node/1556