[Freddy]

I know a few members had signed up to this last year and we got a few updates but finally it has arrived.  I was just wondering what thoughts people have so far (if you have tried it that is).  Does it live up to the hype ?  To me it seems pretty useful and comes up with some nice responses to the questions I have asked.  I like the way it links in with Wikipedia too.  If you haven't tried it yet then I suggest giving it a whirl...

http://www.powerset.com/

[Maviarab]

I like it, already saved in my list of fave search engines

[Freddy]

I always use Yahoo, but it's amazing just how many search engines there are out there.  I was looking at a list of about 250 earlier and most of them I had never heard of.  Even an old one like Lycos barely gets a mention anywhere I go, they don't do TV adverts anymore like they used to.  Powerset looks good though, I wonder if it really will be the future of search engines when they expand it beyond wiki content.  They've got a lot of work to do to challenge Google...hehe and I always thought that was a stupid name and would never catch on...

[Freddy]

Just to point out why this is of interest here, here's what they say about it on their 'about' page...

Powerset’s goal is to change the way people interact with technology by enabling computers to understand our language. While this is a difficult challenge, we believe that now is the right time to begin the journey. Powerset is first applying its natural language processing to search, aiming to improve the way we find information by unlocking the meaning encoded in ordinary human language.

Powerset’s first product is a search and discovery experience for Wikipedia, launched in May 2008. Powerset’s technology improves the entire search process. In the search box, you can express yourself in keywords, phrases, or simple questions. On the search results page, Powerset gives more accurate results, often answering questions directly, and aggregates information from across multiple articles. Finally, Powerset’s technology follows you into enhanced Wikipedia articles, giving you a better way to quickly digest and navigate content.

And here's a story about why they don't want to be called a search engine:

http://venturebeat.com/2008/04/10/powerset-dont-call-us-a-search-engine/