SLA Information Technology Division Blog

Quintura: Visualization of the search engine

The Quintura search engine aims to change search as we know it by adding a visual component.  By completing a keyword search, the user is provided with two result windows.  The window on the left provides results that are retrieved from the Yahoo index.  The window on the right provides a cloud of keyword suggestions that can help the user better focus their search.  Roll over a suggested term and you'll see more terms pop up.  The results window will also automatically change to reflect the revised query.

I think that this would be an excellent change to the user interfaces we are so used to in today's information databases.  It would definitely make the information tools we provide our patrons much more user friendly.

Yahoo's Mindset

Yahoo's Mindset is an intent driven search engine.  An innovative addition to the user interface is a slide bar at the top of the search page.  It allows users to resort their results based on their focus.  Want more commercially focused results?  Slide the bar to the left.  More research focused results can be displayed by sliding the bar to the right.  Using machine learning technology, the web results are graded on a scale from -2 (most commercial) to +2 (most informational).  You can read more about it here. 

The Net Generation

An interesting article in Computer World reviews the recruitment and retention of the Net Generation (those born in the late 70's through the early 90's).  In Dan Tapscott's new book, Grown Up Digital, the author reviews the unique aptitudes and attitudes that are already affecting today's work environment.  The article offers several tips that will help today's managers effectively engage this new workforce. 

I applaud Tapscott for addressing some of the negative opinions that some may have formed about this generation.  Instead of labeling them as lazy or too eager to climb the corporate ladder, he rightfully states that this generation is just used to different work habits and that they have been profoundly influenced by technology.   This type of environment conditions you to think quickly, form innovative ideas freely that can be shared in an instant and expect feedback just as quickly.