Search me not [GEEK ALERT]

For those of you who automatically hit the "Google" button every time you need to look up something (like me), this might come as a shocker: There is a new search engine and it is "smarter" than Google. Yes, Google, Yahoo, and others are great for looking up web pages that have matching words or phrases as those that you type into them. However, they are the "dumb terminals" of search engines. Think back to the black-and-green screen computers you used in the 1980's in the library or in your local retail store. You would type in a command () and the screen would list all matching files. The computer really didn't store any information - it just went out and found the information and displayed it for you on the colorful, black screen. If you're like me, you would see this type of nerdy action on the kid robot movies of the 1980's (i.e. Johnny 5 from "Short Circuit" as seen above). Well, because the computer didn't really have to "think" about showing you that list of information, it was called a "dumb" computer or terminal. Today, of course, computers are much more advanced and they actually "think" on their own (a scary thought) and give you information you request based on need. Now think of Google and Yahoo as "dumb" terminals. You type in a phrase or question, and it finds websites that have similar words and presents them to you. Those search engines don't actually try to figure out what you're looking for and present the information for you.

Introducing a new kind of search engine: Wolfram Alpha. Although in its infancy (it just started today), Wolfram is kind of like a robot with a real brain. It takes the words that you type into it, finds the information you're looking for on the internet, and then displays actual answers in a one-page, simple document. What's so great about that? Think of it this way - it would be like going up to your refrigerator and telling it that you want dinner, but that you had meatloaf yesterday and you're allergic to peanuts - and it actually puts together a menu for you based on what's in your refrigerator!

This, ladies and gentlemen, is the beginning of humanoid robots that can think on their own. Watch out - but don't worry too much. We have at least 50 years before they take over.

Good night.